Action plan on building Viet Nam into strong maritime nation by 2030 approved

The Party Central Committee's Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW on building and developing Viet Nam into a strong maritime nation focuses on three major shifts in maritime development thinking including (1) from maritime resource exploitation to modern ocean governance; (2) from coastal economic development to building ocean governance and (3) from sector-based management to integrated, united national ocean governance.

Resolution 20 centers on ten pillars namely modern marine economy, modern ocean governance, maritime logistics, marine science and technology, marine environmental protection, defence and security, maritime law enforcement, international integration and cooperation, strong maritime enterprises, and prosperous coastal and island communities./.

The action plan aims to translate the Party's orientations into specific tasks for ministries, ministerial-level agencies and local authorities, with clear responsibilities, implementation timelines and evaluation criteria.

Under the plan, the Government has requested ministries, ministerial-level agencies and People's Committees of centrally-governed provinces and cities to proactively formulate plans and resolutely, synchronously and effectively carry out nine key tasks.

These include renewing thinking and raising awareness of building a strong maritime nation; improving institutions and national marine spatial planning; mobilizing and effectively using resources and developing large maritime enterprises; promoting science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resources; and making breakthroughs in modern, green, smart and emerging marine industries.

The plan reiterates Viet Nam's determination to achieve major goals through, including synchronous development of maritime infrastructure and the formation of marine economic centers; protection of the marine environment and conservation of marine ecosystems; proactive adaptation to climate change; improvement of the resilience of coastal and island localities; development of maritime culture and living standards; and assurance of national defense, security and safety at sea and on islands, alongside stronger international integration and cooperation.

The Government aims to increase the contribution of coastal localities to the national economy and establish a modern, green and smart marine economic ecosystem.

Ministries and relevant agencies are tasked with reviewing sectoral strategies and development plans, prioritizing smart and low-emission production and services that use resources and energy efficiently.

The Government will promote nearshore marine economic activities within 12 nautical miles, while developing the oil and gas industry, offshore technical services and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

Special mechanisms will be considered for deep-water and offshore projects and offshore energy projects.

Viet Nam will also develop green and smart seaports, its merchant fleet, shipbuilding industries, and maritime logistics, while strengthening connectivity between seaports and road, rail, inland waterway and air transport networks.

The Government will review the Master Plan for Viet Nam's Seaport System for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, and implement a national program for the maritime and marine engineering industries.

Restructuring fisheries toward sustainability

In the fisheries sector, the action plan stresses the need for restructuring production by reducing nearshore fishing, promoting responsible offshore fishing and developing industrial-scale and high-tech marine aquaculture.

Investment will be stepped up in fisheries infrastructure, breeding, preservation, processing and insurance, together with support policies for fishermen.

The Government will continue taking strong and coordinated measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and remove the European Commission's "yellow card" warning.

Fisheries management, catch monitoring, traceability and law enforcement at sea will be strengthened.

At the same time, Viet Nam will promote aquaculture technologies, smart cages, digital systems, automation, artificial intelligence and renewable energy in fisheries production.

Developing marine tourism and emerging industries

The action plan also seeks to develop internationally competitive marine tourism and services, including large-scale tourism hubs and clusters, green tourism, cruise tourism, ecotourism, community-based tourism, the night-time economy and marine festivals.

Viet Nam will formulate policies to foster emerging marine industries, including high-tech marine aquaculture, marine pharmaceuticals, marine biotechnology, seawater desalination, wave energy, hydrogen, green ammonia and subsea cable infrastructure.

Through these measures, the Government aims to unlock the potential of the sea and coastal areas, expand the nation's development space, strengthen the competitiveness of the marine economy and ensure sustainable use of marine resources while firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, defense and security at sea and on islands./.