The Con Co Island Marine Protected Area in Quang Tri Province not only plays a vital role in conserving a highly valuable marine ecosystem but is also being developed as a primary catalyst for the blue marine economy, eco-tourism, and sustainable livelihoods.

At present, Viet Nam has nearly 90 shipbuilding enterprises and more than 400 inland watercraft builders, with a combined annual design capacity of around 3.5 million deadweight tonnes (DWT). Although the shipyards under the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, they have secured sufficient orders to ensure employment for their workforce until the end of 2028.

In the mission to make Viet Nam a strong maritime nation, prosperous from the sea in the new era, the sea is no longer just a place for resource utilisation or the development of a few individual economic sectors, but is identified as a strategic development space of the nation, a place where development interests, national defence, security, science and technology, and international integration confluence.

Viet Nam is set to fundamentally transform its approach to maritime development, shifting from a focus on the marine economy to the broader goal of becoming a strong maritime nation under a new Party resolution.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has requesting the development of Viet Nam's maritime industry into a strategic industrial foundation serving the country's goal of becoming a strong coastal nation, saying the sector must underpin the marine economy, safeguard national defence and security, and strengthen strategic autonomy.

Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated October 22, 2018, issued by the 12th Party Central Committee on the strategy for the sustainable development of Viet Nam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, sets the goal of making Viet Nam a strong, prosperous, and sustainable maritime nation by fully harnessing its marine potential and advantages.

The development of the marine economy has been identified by Ninh Binh province as one of the important driving forces to promote growth and enhance the competitiveness of the economy. Based on this orientation, the province has focused on implementing many solutions to effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the sea, creating a multi-sector marine economic ecosystem towards green and sustainable growth.

Dong Thap has many advantages in developing the marine economy, with strengths in aquaculture, seafood exploitation, and tourism. In recent times, the locality has focused on tapping its potential and promoting marine economic development, achieving many positive results.

Experts believe that the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s marine economy requires a comprehensive approach, closely combining modern marine spatial governance, the promotion of natural capital, the application of science and technology, and the effective mobilisation of domestic and international financial resources.

Viet Nam is determined to strictly, openly, and transparently handle all violations related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang affirmed at the ministry’s regular press conference in Ha Noi on November 6.

Chairman of the Can Tho municipal People’s Committee Truong Canh Tuyen highlighted local potentials and strengths during a working session on June 24 with a delegation from the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (AusCham) led by its Executive Director Edwin Law.

The sea and marine economy are not only the survival space of Tra Vinh Province but also hold strategic significance for its sustainable socio-economic development, national defence and security. In recent years, the province has placed particular emphasis on attracting investment to develop a modern, environmentally friendly marine economy.