Editor's note: Nearly eight years after the adoption of Resolution 36-NQ/TW on Vietnam's sustainable marine economic development, the Party Central Committee is preparing to issue a new resolution on maritime development.

As Vietnam enters a new phase of development with the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045, a new approach is required. While Resolution 36 focused primarily on developing marine economic sectors, the upcoming resolution aims to strengthen governance of Vietnam's national maritime space as a strategic engine for future growth.

This special report examines the evolution of Vietnam's development thinking - from focusing on the marine economy to building a maritime nation - and explores the role of the sea in the country's long-term development strategy through 2045.

Rather than examining individual sectors such as ports, offshore wind, fisheries, logistics or coastal tourism, these industries are used only as examples to illustrate broader strategic arguments.

What distinguishes this series is its institutional and strategic perspective. It views the sea not simply as an economic sector but as an integrated national development space. In doing so, it reflects Vietnam's evolving development philosophy: from resource extraction to creating new growth drivers; from developing marine industries to governing maritime space; and from pursuing prosperity from the sea to building a strong maritime nation for the twenty-first century.

Part 1: Why Vietnam must move beyond the traditional blue economy

Part 2: Beyond the sea economy: Vietnam's path to maritime power

Part 3: Rethinking the sea as Vietnam's next development frontier

Part 4: Strong maritime businesses are key to Vietnam's ocean ambitions

Vietnam must strengthen its integrated model of marine governance, invest more heavily in science, data and digital transformation, and place ecosystem conservation at the center of sustainable maritime development linked to safeguarding national sovereignty, according to Dr. Vu Thanh Ca, lecturer at the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment.

General Secretary and President To Lam has called for a shift from viewing the sea primarily as a resource to seeing national maritime space as a strategic development asset. How should this change be understood, and what should Vietnam do first to turn that vision into reality?

Dr. Vu Thanh Ca: General Secretary and President To Lam's direction is both timely and well-founded. It reflects an approach that has already become widely accepted internationally.

Vietnam has, in fact, been studying and applying this concept of sustainable maritime spatial development through integrated management of marine resources together with the protection of the marine, coastal and island environment.

Scientific research has demonstrated that the sea and coastal areas form an integrated system of shared resources. They provide physical space as well as biological and non-biological resources while also performing essential environmental regulatory functions.

As a result, many users rely on the same maritime space for different purposes. Resource exploitation often creates competing interests and conflicts. In some cases, excessive exploitation leads to resource depletion or environmental degradation, ultimately undermining not only the activities that caused the damage but also broader socio-economic development.

The consequences extend well beyond environmental degradation. They reduce the efficiency of resource use, constrain economic development and negatively affect employment opportunities and livelihoods.

Addressing these challenges requires integrated management of maritime space, coastal areas and islands to support sustainable development.

This is achieved through integrated management of maritime space and the resources contained within it.

The essence of integrated marine spatial management lies in planning how maritime and coastal space should be allocated among economic activities, national defense and security, both today and in the future, with a long-term perspective.

Its objectives include promoting sustainable economic development through the prudent and efficient use of marine resources; protecting the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity; establishing legal and policy frameworks; and deploying monitoring systems capable of assessing the environmental impacts of resource exploitation - including the use of maritime space itself.

Such management also ensures that emerging problems are addressed promptly so that renewable resources, particularly marine living resources and biodiversity, are not degraded or depleted, while preventing environmental pollution.

Integrated marine management further helps resolve disputes over marine resource use by balancing the interests of all stakeholders, both now and in the future. It also contributes to social stability, disaster risk reduction and the prevention of human-induced hazards.

The development approach advocated by General Secretary and President To Lam has, in fact, already been incorporated into Vietnam's legal framework.

It first appeared in Government Decree No. 25/2009/ND-CP on integrated management of marine resources and environmental protection for seas and islands, and was later institutionalized in the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, adopted by the 13th National Assembly in 2015.

The Law on Planning, adopted by the 14th National Assembly in 2017 and amended by the 15th National Assembly in 2025, further establishes the principles of spatial planning, particularly through detailed provisions governing the National Marine Spatial Plan and the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Resources - the two principal instruments supporting integrated marine resource management and environmental protection.

In 2024, the 15th National Assembly approved Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15 on the National Marine Spatial Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. The Prime Minister subsequently issued Decision No. 1117/QD-TTg, approving the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Resources for the same period.

These two plans provide the foundation for integrated marine spatial management and environmental protection.

Although Vietnam has spent many years institutionalizing and implementing this spatial development approach, considerable work remains.

Many shortcomings still need to be addressed before spatial planning can fully unlock the country's maritime potential while creating sustainable employment and livelihoods.

The first challenge concerns multi-sector coordination, both vertically - from the central government to local authorities - and horizontally among ministries, agencies, businesses and other socio-economic organizations.

Although the legal framework defines these responsibilities in considerable detail, implementation remains uneven because the capacity of officials varies significantly. Some still lack a clear understanding of marine spatial management, limiting overall effectiveness.

A second challenge is that many types of marine resources - particularly biodiversity and living marine resources - remain insufficiently studied and undervalued despite their ecological and economic importance.

A third issue concerns the absence of scientifically grounded criteria for determining which resources should receive priority within specific maritime areas.

Several additional issues also require attention.

Nearly eight years after Resolution 36 was adopted, what are the biggest obstacles preventing Vietnam's marine economy from reaching its full potential?

It should first be acknowledged that Vietnam's marine economy has made remarkable progress over the past two decades.

Since the adoption of Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW on Vietnam's Marine Strategy to 2020 in 2007, followed by Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Marine Economy through 2030 with a vision to 2045 in 2018, maritime industries have expanded significantly and contributed an increasing share of national income.

The strongest-performing sectors include marine tourism and coastal resorts, marine fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport and port services, offshore oil and gas, offshore wind energy, and coastal urban and infrastructure development.

Nevertheless, many of the shortcomings in integrated marine resource management and environmental protection that I mentioned earlier remain unresolved.

One consequence has been the severe degradation of critical marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests.

Marine conservation has also progressed far too slowly.

By the end of 2024, Vietnam had established and operated only 11 marine protected areas, covering approximately 0.185% of the country's natural marine area.

Overfishing, together with destructive fishing methods, has further depleted fish stocks.

Insufficient marine conservation combined with excessive harvesting has increased operating costs while reducing returns for fishing communities.

As a result, the livelihoods of fishermen have become increasingly difficult.

Planning for coastal tourism has also been inadequate in several localities, resulting in severe shortages of public beaches and constraining tourism development.

Marine plastic pollution has declined only slowly.

Meanwhile, coastal natural disasters - including large waves, storm surges and coastal flooding - continue to erode shorelines, damage infrastructure and affect large numbers of residents.

Together, these challenges make it more difficult for Vietnam to achieve the objectives set out in Resolution 36.

How should Vietnam redesign its marine governance model to overcome fragmented management across ministries and local authorities while ensuring that marine spatial planning is implemented effectively?

Vietnam should move quickly to strengthen its institutional framework for integrated management of the sea, coastal areas and islands, with particular emphasis on marine spatial governance.

The immediate priority is to effectively implement the National Marine Spatial Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, together with the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Resources.

Local governments should translate these national plans into provincial planning frameworks so they become the basis for implementation.

At the same time, stronger cross-sector coordination is essential to ensure that marine resources are protected, conserved and utilized in the most efficient and sustainable manner.

Only through such integrated governance can Vietnam's marine economy develop in line with its true potential.

General Secretary and President To Lam has also emphasized the role of science, technology and digital transformation in maritime development. What scientific capabilities and data infrastructure does Vietnam still lack to build a modern system of marine governance?

At present, Vietnam faces a serious shortage of baseline marine data.

Marine surveys and scientific research require substantial financial resources as well as highly qualified researchers capable of collecting, interpreting and applying those data.

Over the past several years, employment opportunities in marine science and technology have remained limited. At the same time, incomes from marine research and technological development have been relatively low, making the field far less attractive to highly qualified professionals.

This shortage of skilled personnel has also slowed digital transformation across the marine science sector.

Policies governing marine data management remain insufficiently clear, making access to and use of baseline survey data unnecessarily difficult.

The government should therefore begin by adopting policies capable of attracting high-quality talent into marine scientific research, technological innovation and digital transformation.

Secondly, Vietnam needs greater investment in research infrastructure, particularly specialized oceanographic research vessels, together with policies that ensure these vessels are used efficiently for baseline surveys and scientific research, while maximizing the value of the data they collect.

Thirdly, policies should strengthen the links between marine science, technological innovation, digital transformation and economic development.

Alongside public investment, mobilizing private capital will also be essential to support these efforts.

Which marine industries should Vietnam prioritize in the coming years to generate higher value-added growth while strengthening national competitiveness?

In the near term, Vietnam should continue investing in sectors where it already possesses considerable experience and strong growth potential.

These include marine tourism and coastal services, marine aquaculture and fisheries combined with sustainable resource conservation, maritime transport integrated with port services, and both nearshore and offshore wind power.

These industries already provide solid foundations for generating higher value-added while enhancing the country's international competitiveness.

At the same time, Vietnam should significantly increase investment in scientific research and technological development, particularly artificial intelligence and digital transformation applied to the marine sector.

These technologies will form the foundation for faster and more sustainable growth of the marine economy.

As an expert on environmental management and climate change, how do you see the balance between marine economic development, ecosystem conservation and climate resilience?

In my view, Vietnam needs to recognize that protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening resilience to natural disasters and climate change are not constraints on economic growth.

They are among its most effective drivers.

Take fisheries as an example.

Marine conservation is much like allowing fish, shrimp and crabs to mature before harvesting them.

Doing so ultimately produces larger and more sustainable catches.

Conservation also strengthens marine ecosystems, making them more resilient to climate change.

Healthy mangrove forests, thriving seagrass meadows and vibrant coral reefs support abundant marine life.

Cleaner marine environments reduce disease outbreaks and improve the productivity of aquaculture.

These ecosystems not only replenish fish stocks in surrounding waters but also help reduce wave energy, protect coastlines and support tourism activities such as diving, recreational fishing and kayaking through mangrove forests.

Marine ecosystems also naturally filter water, improving environmental quality, enhancing tourism appeal and contributing to the health of both local communities and visitors.

Mangrove forests and seagrass meadows are especially valuable because they absorb significant quantities of carbon dioxide.

They therefore contribute to climate change mitigation while generating carbon credits that can potentially create additional income for local communities and the nation as a whole.

These ecosystems also support Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Greater tourism appeal, in turn, raises coastal property values and creates favorable conditions for developing resort real estate and modern coastal cities.

In other words, conserving marine ecosystems not only strengthens the marine economy but also contributes directly to climate resilience.

General Secretary and President To Lam has stressed that marine economic development must go hand in hand with protecting Vietnam's sovereignty and national interests at sea. How can these two objectives best support one another?

One of the fundamental principles of international law concerning territorial sovereignty is that a sovereign state must exercise peaceful, continuous and long-term administration over its territory.

The economic development of Vietnam's islands, together with the country's maritime areas under its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, provides practical evidence consistent with international law and strengthens Vietnam's ability to safeguard its sovereignty and legitimate national interests at sea.

Developing the marine economy also generates additional resources that can be invested in maritime security and national defense.

Tu Giang