Mr. Tran Ngoc Chinh

This is the second part of VietNamNet’s talks with experts: Mr. Ngo Luc Tai, Vice Chair of HCM City Marine Science and Technology Association; Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, lecturer of the Vietnam National University, and former Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Agency; and architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, former Deputy Minister of Construction, and Chair of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association. 

Q: Mr. Chu Hoi, could you tell us more about your idea of establishing the Marine Ministry or an agency in charge of marine economic development?

Nguyen Chu Hoi: The idea of establishment of a ministerial level body to perform unified state management of the sea and islands was set out very early. At that time I was the head of the Institute of Economic and Planning of the Ministry of Fisheries and I participated in building this plan. At that time everyone saw that we had many ministries that managed the mainland, but we did not have a single agency to manage one third of the country’s territory.

In 2006 - 2007 the merger of the Ministry of Fisheries with the Ministry of Agriculture began, revealing a model of a marine ministry, with fishermen as the core. If we combine economics with national defence, we could see that the ministry of sea and fishermen is not a small force to have access to the “civil sovereignty” in the sea. And if an unexpected thing occurs in the sea, this will be the forces that can conduct the people’s war in the sea. Our predecessors were successful in this term.

At that time the Ministry of Fisheries proposed to set up the Marine and Fisheries Ministry. But there were different opinions even inside the Ministry as well as outside. The outcome of the East Sea was not complicated at that time. But finally we only have the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is the merger of the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The East Sea conflict will be a long-term challenge. It is unpredictable and complex, and not only affects national interests, maritime rights and interests, and our sovereignty, but also affects the surrounding countries. 

I still believe that we need such a ministry. The sea is an international playground. Beyond 12 nautical miles are the waters where international rules are applied. China is successful in this issue. When Xi Jinping became the President, he emphasized the strengthening of state management over the sea. And all power is with the Chinese Ocean Agency, which is actually a ministry-level agency.

The Law on the Sea of Vietnam 2012 has three principles, including the policy of solving sea-related issues by peaceful measures. The government is responsible for managing the sea and local governments control the related-waters under the government’s assignments. This policy is suitable for a small country. The Ministry of Sea is necessary but we have to consider the management mechanism carefully.

At present we have 15 ministries and agencies with functions and duties related to the sea. If we establish the Ministry of Sea and still maintain the 14 other bodies, the formation of such a ministry will be ineffective.

Q: Recently, the local media reported that investors built coastal resorts that prevent people’s access to the public coast. What do you think about this matter?

Tran Ngoc Chinh: Coastal tourist sites, particularly resorts, have helped become famous and created a tourism brand for many coastal cities such as Da Nang and Nha Trang. However, in some areas, local people are hindered from going to public beaches.

I think, for some areas, that are far from cities and have beautiful beaches, we can build coastal resorts or hotels there. That’s the model applied commonly in the world. But tourism development must be in sympathy with the interest of local communities.

Q: But how to avoid the conflict between the interests of the local community and investors? Is it a difficult problem?

Tran Ngoc Chinh: It’s not a difficult matter. If we deal well with the public interest, build good tourism infrastructure for the people such as nice beaches, nice bathrooms, convenient parking lots and spacious public spaces, the people will be satisfied.

It is the responsibility of the planning agencies to create harmony between tourism development and the interests of local people.

Q: How do these tourist sites contribute to the economy and how do they implement their environment-related responsibility?

Tran Ngoc Chinh: If we perform sea-planning and coastal tourism planning well, we can earn great benefits. Da Nang is a typical example. Hotels there are always fully booked, particularly during holidays and festivals, such as the international firework festival. If tourists do not book hotel rooms in advance, they will not have a room during this time.

The coastal areas from Da Nang to Hoi An, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Phan Thiet comprise Vietnam’s sea tourism panorama and the tourism industry in these regions has brought in a lot of money for society.

But I have to say that despite success in tourism development, areas like Mui Ne – Phan Thiet have had failures because resorts there are like walls hindering local people from the sea. This is a matter of planning.

Q: The East Sea dispute cannot be resolved in a day or two. Do you think that if our marine economy develops well, the issue of sovereignty of the sea and islands will improve?

Nguyen Chu Hoi: Yes, that’s right! Economic development is a proven ability to master in practice. We declare sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the East Sea and the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys), and without the appearance of a fisherman, a ship or development activities on the islands, and no oil and gas exploration activities, it is clear that the claims are on paper. 

Therefore, economic development on the sea is extremely important for the protection of maritime sovereignty of the country.

Furthermore, the development of marine economy will adjust the relationship with national security and natural resources - environment, solve island-related social problems, and create more power for the country. 

Q: Vietnamese fishermen are usually harassed by foreign forces. Can a national policy or a ministry play the role of a firm ground for our fishermen and their operation in the sea?

Nguyen Chu Hoi: The incidents involving our fishermen happened not because we did not have a sea ministry but it depended on the will of others. The unilateral acts in the East Sea seem to become more common. So whether we have a sea ministry or not, it is not a decisive solution. But we need an agency in charge of sea-related issues for the government, which may be an Ocean General Department as China currently has. 

When we discuss the necessity of establishing a sea ministry, we must think of the country’s long-term matters, think of the connection to the sea, and the connection between economic development and marine sovereignty protection. For a small country like Vietnam, pursuing civil sovereignty in the sea is a smart choice.

Q: Some experts said that because of dispersed investment of the State and investors, Vietnam does not have any outstanding economic sectors or an outstanding economic model. What are your views?

Ngo Luc Tai: At the macro level the state has a policy the development of the sea but the development of the sea has not been focused under the management of a central agency. Every location develops it their own way. In 1995 almost all coastal provinces had seaports. We need just seven to 10 major ports, not up to 190 ports. It’s a waste!

To be continued…

VietNamNet