Awakening marine resources

Revealing the potential of Viet Nam’s marine resources

According to the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands (VASI), marine geological and mineral surveys are conducted under an integrated, multi-purpose survey approach in conjunction with comprehensive marine resource and environmental investigations. These efforts are based on a unified survey network with scales ranging from 1:500,000 to 1:50,000.

To date, surveys at the 1:500,000 scale have been conducted over an area of about 375,688 km² (accounting for 38% of Viet Nam’s marine area); surveys at the 1:100,000 scale cover about 30,518 km², and surveys at the 1:50,000 scale cover about 3,023 km² (0.3%).

The results have clarified the geological, geophysical, sedimentary, environmental geochemical, structural, geodynamic, and geological-hazard characteristics of Viet Nam’s marine areas. Many zones with mineral potential have been identified. Specifically, 62 Ti-Zr-TR placer areas have been delineated, with a total estimated resource of about 164 million tons; 50 areas of construction materials (construction sand, backfill sand) with total estimated reserves of about 196.5 billion m³ have also been identified, mainly in Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, Thua Thien Hue, Con Dao, and Bach Long Vi. In deep-sea areas, for the first time, a research project on gas hydrate was implemented at a 1:500,000-scale grid, initially yielding objective data for potential assessment.

These findings have formed a critical baseline dataset, serving as the foundation for assessing marine mineral potential, guiding rational exploitation, and promoting sustainable marine economic development.

In addition to mineral resources, surveys have been conducted to assess the potential of soil and groundwater.

Approximately 82% of Vietnam’s 819,500 km² marine area has been charted with hydrographic maps at a 1:200,000 scale.

The total area of coastal and island land in Viet Nam is 5,869,515 ha (as of 2010), of which 93.46% is in use and 6.54% remains unused, mainly sand dunes and scattered sandy areas with poor fertility that require forest planting for restoration and protection. Based on this, a coastal land-use planning map at a 1:250,000 scale has been developed for five regions (Red River Delta, North Central, South Central Coastal, Southeast, and Mekong River Delta), along with detailed maps at scales of 1:25,000–1:5,000 for island clusters.

For groundwater resources, surveys at the 1:200,000 scale determined a total potential exploitable reserve of 16,734,219 m³/day, including: Northeast 619,027 m³/day; North 967,610 m³/day; North Central 4,180,513 m³/day; South Central 5,200,663 m³/day; and South 5,766,406 m³/day.

A foundation for marine and island infrastructure development

In the past, surveys mainly focused on local investigations for specific construction projects, such as ports, DKI platform houses, drilling rigs, or oil and gas pipelines. In recent years, particularly in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and DKI platforms, two projects led by the Ministry of National Defense under Scheme 47 have conducted geological engineering surveys and created maps at scales from 1:10,000 to 1:500.

These investigations identified the mechanical properties of coral foundations, forming the basis for solutions to expand and reinforce islands and to construct and maintain DKI platform facilities. As a result, the first reliable datasets on coral reef geology, geomorphology, sedimentology, lithology, and geotechnical characteristics were established to support marine and island development and sovereignty protection.

For coastal zones, the project “Investigation and assessment of geological structure and engineering geology characteristics of Viet Nam’s coastal areas” completed geological engineering maps at a 1:100,000 scale over 16,829 km² (from Quang Ninh to Ninh Thuan). Detailed mapping at a 1:25,000 scale was also completed for 850 km² in key areas (Thai Binh–Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa–Nghe An, and Quang Tri–Thua Thien Hue).

The results have delineated unstable geological zones and identified geodynamic processes such as flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and salinization, factors that directly affect the planning and construction of coastal infrastructure.

Identifying resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods for fishing communities

The project “Comprehensive survey of biodiversity and marine fishery resources in Viet Nam’s waters; planning and establishing a system of marine protected areas for sustainable development” (2011–2017) provided critical, synchronized, and highly practical data.

As a result, nearly 1,100 demersal marine species were recorded, with an instantaneous stock of about 546,000 tons over a surveyed area of more than 403,000 km². Among these, the Southeast region has the highest stock (nearly 40% of total demersal resources), while the Southwest has the highest density (1.6 tons/km²). The estimated stock of small pelagic fish is 2.45 million tons, widely distributed, with the Southeast and Central regions being the most resource-rich.

The studies identified 18 key natural spawning and nursery grounds for delineation and protection to restore fishery resources. Based on these, numerous thematic maps (pelagic fish, demersal fish, fish eggs, shrimp larvae, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, etc.) were developed at scales from 1:2,000,000 to 1:50,000. In addition, detailed plans for seven new marine protected areas were established, helping complete the national marine conservation network.

These results not only clarify the current status of marine biodiversity but also provide a scientific basis for integrated resource management, rational exploitation, environmental protection, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal fishing communities.

Regarding positional, ecological, and geological heritage resources, Vietnam has identified 24 areas of special significance at international, national, and local levels; proposed 35 areas of ecological and geological heritage value at various levels under both global and national conservation frameworks; and recommended the establishment of three global geoparks (Cat Ba–Long Chau, Lang Co–Hai Van–Son Cha, and the red sand region of Phan Thiet) and five marine ecological parks (Co To, Con Co, Nha Trang Bay, Nui Chua, and Nam Yet).