Da Nang poised for a breakthrough in blue economy

After nearly a decade of implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Viet Nam’s Marine Economy, along with the enforcement of the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, many new opportunities have emerged. However, numerous challenges have also arisen, including conflicts in marine spatial use, limitations in sea allocation mechanisms, and the urgent need to transition toward a green marine economy model.

The series “Sustainable Marine Economic Development” captures ongoing developments in coastal localities, while presenting perspectives from experts, businesses, management agencies, and international organizations. The series aims to identify opportunities, challenges, and institutional bottlenecks in Viet Nam’s journey toward becoming a strong maritime nation that prospers from the sea.

From marine advantages to the aspiration of a modern coastal urban area

From a once-impoverished sandy coastal area, Thang An Commune in Da Nang is now gradually undergoing a strong transformation driven by the development of the marine economy. In the past, due to barren land conditions, local residents mainly relied on fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing for their livelihoods. Stormy seas and adverse weather conditions often left communities facing unstable incomes and uncertain living conditions. However, alongside synchronized infrastructure investment and the locality’s marine economic development strategy, the appearance of the coastal area has steadily changed.

According to the People’s Committee of Thang An Commune, the development of transport connections such as Vo Chi Cong Road and the commune’s main axis linking to National Highway 1 has expanded development space and strengthened regional connectivity between the coastal areas of Duy Xuyen - Thang Binh and the tourism urban area of Hoi An. As a result, coastal land resources have been unlocked, attracting a series of major investors to develop large-scale resorts, entertainment complexes, and tourism projects such as VinWonders Nam Hoi An and other coastal resort developments. Consequently, the local economic structure has shifted significantly toward tourism, services, and trade, which now account for approximately 77% of the commune’s economy.

Not only Thang An, but many other coastal areas of Da Nang, including Lien Chieu, Tho Quang, and Tam Thanh, are also undergoing rapid transformation by leveraging their marine advantages in combination with infrastructure, logistics, and tourism development.

Among Viet Nam’s coastal localities, Da Nang is widely regarded as one of the most favorable urban centers for developing a modern marine economy thanks to its beautiful landscapes, convenient transportation connectivity, and advantages in seaports, logistics, and marine tourism. In particular, following its merger with Quang Nam, Da Nang’s marine economic development space has expanded significantly, with a total coastline stretching over 215 kilometers.

Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of Da Nang through 2030, with a vision toward 2045, identifies the marine economy as one of the city’s three strategic pillars, alongside tourism and high-tech industry.

Once Lien Chieu Port becomes operational, together with regional seaports such as Tien Sa (Da Nang), Chu Lai - Ky Ha (Da Nang), Chan May (Hue), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), and the Quy Nhon port cluster (Gia Lai), an interconnected chain of seaports will be formed along the central coastal region. This system will not only enhance cargo clearance capacity for the Central and Central Highlands regions but also connect directly to the East-West Economic Corridor, opening new maritime and logistics routes linking Viet Nam with Laos, Thailand, and other regional economies.

Alongside seaport infrastructure, Da Nang is also gradually promoting new marine economic models such as community-based tourism associated with marine conservation, high-tech aquaculture, and the development of green coastal industrial zones. Currently, large-capacity fishing fleets from coastal areas such as Hoi An, Thang Binh, and Nui Thanh continue operating day and night in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds, contributing not only to economic development but also to the affirmation of Viet Nam’s maritime sovereignty.

Removing bottlenecks for breakthrough development

According to the Division of Seas, Islands and Fisheries of Da Nang City, the city’s marine economy maintained stable growth momentum in 2025, with seafood capture output exceeding 136,620 tons and aquaculture production surpassing 30,217 tons.

The city has also strengthened cooperation with international organizations such as Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to restore marine ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and improve coastal zone management capacity.

At the same time, a wide range of initiatives, including beach clean-up campaigns, aquatic resource restoration, and stricter inspection and enforcement against illegal fishing activities, have been implemented in a coordinated manner, helping raise public awareness of marine and island environmental protection.

The implementation of the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment in recent years has also gradually established a stronger foundation for more systematic marine governance. However, according to functional agencies, marine resource management and environmental protection in Da Nang still face many challenges that need to be addressed. Public communication and awareness-raising efforts on marine resource protection remain inconsistent in some areas, while community participation in marine environmental protection is still largely formalistic and has yet to generate substantial changes.

Following the administrative merger between Da Nang and Quang Nam, differences in marine management mechanisms and policies between the two former localities have become increasingly apparent, requiring additional time for review, integration, and harmonization. Meanwhile, the expanding scope of marine management and the growing diversity of marine resource exploitation and utilization activities have placed mounting pressure on the environment and increased the risk of spatial conflicts among tourism, seaports, aquaculture, and ecological conservation.

According to the Division of Seas, Islands and Fisheries, data systems on marine resources and the marine environment remain incomplete, while equipment for monitoring and surveillance is still limited, reducing management effectiveness in meeting practical demands.

Notably, several projects on Son Tra Peninsula that had previously been granted land allocation or sea surface leases were later found, upon review, to fall within restricted zones designated for marine conservation under the National Marine Spatial Planning framework. As a result, many projects have had to be suspended or adjusted, creating difficulties for both businesses and management authorities.

Mr. Phan Van My, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that to improve the effectiveness of marine resource management and marine environmental protection, the city needs additional support from the central government in terms of technical assistance, marine environmental monitoring and surveillance systems, as well as the development of a synchronized and modern database system. At the same time, the locality also hopes to strengthen training and capacity-building for personnel engaged in marine management.

“For projects located within areas designated for marine conservation, the city proposes that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment soon issue appropriate guidance to help balance the requirements of marine resource and environmental conservation with socio-economic development objectives,” Mr. My said.

From June 4-6, 2026, in Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, will organize a series of communication events in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Oceans Day (June 8), the Month of Action for the Environment, and Viet Nam Sea and Islands Week 2026.

1. National Forum on Environment and Climate - From Policy to Action

• Time: 8:00 AM, June 5, 2026

• Venue: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

• Online participation: ID: 942 6837 3034. Passcode: KH0605.

2. National Workshop on “Improving Institutions and Policies to Promote Sustainable Marine Economic Development”

• Time: 2:00 PM, June 5, 2026

• Venue: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

• Online participation: ID: 934 2999 5099. Passcode: HT0506

3. Art Program “Vietnam Sea - A Journey Toward Green Spaces”

• Time: 8:00 PM, June 5, 2026

• Venue: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province

4. Exhibition on Blue Marine Economy - Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

• Time: June 4-6, 2026

• Venue: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province