Viet Nam evaluates its sustainable blue economy strategy

On November 18, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment headquarters, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa presided over a working session with the Viet Nam Department of Seas and Islands. The meeting focused on the progress of Resolution No. 26/NQ-CP, the government's action plan for implementing the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Viet Nam's Marine Economy by 2030, with a vision to 2045 (Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW).

Nguyen Duc Toan, Director of the Viet Nam Department of Seas and Islands, reported that based on monitoring and consolidated data from ministries and coastal localities, the implementation of Resolution No. 26/NQ-CP has achieved significant results, though challenges remain.

Under the resolution, 12 ministries and 28 coastal localities (currently 21) were assigned 51 tasks and projects. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment chairs 12 of these tasks. To date, the majority of projects have been deployed or integrated into other programs, while some are pending procedural completion or have been halted.

According to the report, marine and ocean governance has made distinct progress. Notably, national marine spatial planning has been established and approved for the first time. The legal framework regarding sea reclamation and the allocation of sea areas is increasingly comprehensive, and a set of national indicators for evaluating a strong marine nation has been issued. Communications regarding seas and islands have also been promoted through diverse channels.

The marine and coastal economy is witnessing rapid growth, contributing significantly to socio-economic development. Key sectors such as maritime services, logistics, ports, shipbuilding, oil and gas, mariculture, and marine tourism have seen outstanding development. Inter-regional transport infrastructure has received strong investment, creating land funds and driving the formation of logistics centers and coastal industrial zones. Renewable energy and new marine economic sectors are emerging as drivers for a green and circular economy.

Living standards in coastal areas continue to improve, with better access to basic social services, particularly electricity, clean water, and essential infrastructure. Marine environmental protection has been strengthened, with many marine, coastal, and island ecosystems restored. Seabed mapping and bathymetry have been completed for a large portion of the sea area.

In the field of marine science and technology, international cooperation with Japan, South Korea, India, Canada, and various international organizations has expanded. Scientific foundations regarding ecosystems, marine geology, natural disasters, and climate change are being progressively clarified.

Additionally, marine pollution is well controlled, and the management of marine, coastal, and island ecosystems is receiving increased attention. The country has established 12 Marine Protected Areas covering over 206,000 hectares, including 185,000 hectares of sea surface. Nautical charts at a scale of 1:200,000 have been completed for 82% of the sea area.

However, the report also highlighted significant limitations. These include a lack of breakthrough mechanisms to attract private capital, overlapping regulatory frameworks, and asynchronous development of the marine economy. Logistics and port economies have been slow to innovate, and pollution risks persist in coastal industrial zones. Sea reclamation activities lack a comprehensive assessment, posing risks to ecosystems and shoreline stability. Marine environmental monitoring remains thin, and basic surveys, especially in deep-water areas, are limited due to a lack of specialized equipment.

Based on implementation realities, Director Toan outlined six groups of lessons learned. He emphasized the need to continue strictly adhering to Resolution 36-NQ/TW and Resolution 26/NQ-CP; perfecting institutions; strengthening inter-sectoral and inter-regional coordination; pushing for digital transformation and modernizing marine databases; investing in strategic infrastructure; developing high-quality marine human resources; and strengthening international cooperation. A key priority is the formation of a National Center for Marine Monitoring, Basic Investigation, and Scientific Research.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa instructed the Viet Nam Department of Seas and Islands to conduct a comprehensive review and provide a full report on the status of tasks and future implementation plans under Resolution 26/NQ-CP. She also directed the department to coordinate with the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper to publicize the implementation of the resolution.

Deputy Minister Hoa explicitly emphasized the need to pay close attention to the lives of coastal residents, especially those displaced or affected by marine economic development projects.

She also requested the Department to urgently research and summarize Resolution 36-NQ/TW to serve as a foundation for drafting the Law on Marine and Island Environment. This process must analyze the advantages of coastal localities, draw on international marine management experience, adopt advanced governance models, and ensure alignment with Viet Nam's practical conditions.