This approach aligns with Viet Nam’s Sustainable Marine Economic Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, which aims to establish Viet Nam as a strong coastal nation by 2030, meeting the requirements for sustainable marine economic growth.
Autonomous vehicles are vital for marine research
Alongside traditional vessels and tools, several countries have adopted new technologies in marine research, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), artificial intelligence (AI), and remote sensing satellites. These innovations offer significant advantages: they can dive deeper, operate for longer periods, and reach locations inaccessible to humans or conventional diving equipment.
Furthermore, digitalised vehicles provide more comprehensive and accurate data, capable of predicting potential developments within the research area in real time.
Scientists from the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, Environment, and Sea (IMHEMS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment note that AUVs have been researched and developed by maritime nations since the 1970s to replace manned diving vehicles or those controlled by cables.
With advances in materials and control theory, AUVs are produced in many countries and can operate in a diverse range of environments.
Today, with advances in materials and control theory, AUVs are produced in many countries and can operate in a diverse range of environments. Their applications range from environmental monitoring and seabed surveying to surveillance, search and rescue, and salvage operations in deep-sea conditions.
The research and manufacture of a make-in-Viet Nam AUV is listed among strategic technologies and products under the prime minister’s Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg, dated June 12, 2025. It forms part of a research project funded by the Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VINIF).
AUVs for marine research can integrate digital acoustic communication systems, enabling operators to command them from distances of thousands of metres and depths of tens of metres. Specialised sonar technology (acoustic positioning and navigation) incorporates imaging scanning systems using phased array antennae to accelerate data processing, producing high-quality images while monitoring seabed movements.
Advanced positioning technology ensures safe AUV control through kinematic models and dynamic equations that calculate optimal motion paths, countering disturbances from currents.
Towards mastering core technologies
According to Dr Du Van Toan of IMHEMS, the project focuses on researching and designing an autonomous AUV device for surveying natural seabed conditions. The prototype includes mechanical design, hull, steering and balancing systems, active sonar, a high-resolution underwater camera, digital acoustic communication, and integrated sensors. These AUVs collect marine environmental parameters and transmit data to a central hub for monitoring and scientific research.
During implementation, the prototype will be continuously updated with cutting-edge technologies. For instance, the application of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) combined with Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) will enhance underwater acoustic communication.
The team also applies sonar technology, originally used in submarines, deep-sea fishing, and archaeology. Waterproof design, phased array antennae, autonomous navigation, and advanced data processing present challenges that the Vietnamese team must overcome. These efforts mark the first steps towards technological autonomy in marine research, as outlined in Viet Nam’s Sustainable Marine Economy Development Strategy.
Initial tests of the domestic AUV project show that scientists can master core technologies by controlling engine operations and maintaining basic technical parameters.
The successful development of an AUV prototype and control station will pave the way for deeper exploration of digital transformation and science-technology applications in marine research.
A key scientific achievement is the design and development of an AUV prototype integrated with underwater acoustic communication, enabling data exchange between any AUV and its control station. The observation and data processing centre, built to hybrid IoT standards, can handle millions of results in very short times.
However, the challenges facing scientists lie less in technological applications than in policy and infrastructure. Insufficient support in physical facilities, scientific and technical human resources, collaboration mechanisms, and technology transfer continues to hinder AUV research, production, and widespread use.
The successful development of an AUV prototype and control station will pave the way for deeper exploration of digital transformation and science-technology applications in marine research.
In the future, the mastering of core technologies will provide a scientific foundation for marine and ocean studies, advancing towards commercialising underwater positioning and navigation solutions for unmanned devices integrated with advanced applications.
