In his opening remarks, Dao Xuan Hung, Editor-in-Chief of Agriculture and Environment Magazine, said that with a coastline stretching more than 3,260 kilometres, Vietnam possesses significant potential and advantages, underpinned by abundant and diverse marine resources. These create favourable conditions for the development of a wide range of marine-based economic activities, including aquaculture, fishing, seafood processing, mineral extraction, maritime economy and marine tourism, while also serving as a livelihood space for around 55% of the country’s population.

In recent years, Vietnam has gradually tapped into these strengths, with the marine economy contributing an estimated 51% of national GDP, underscoring the vital role of seas and islands in the country’s socio-economic development strategy.

However, Hung noted that alongside its considerable potential, Vietnam is facing increasingly severe and unprecedented challenges, including declining fish stocks, the growing impacts of climate change and marine pollution.

Against this backdrop, the task is not only to use resources efficiently, but more importantly to do so in a smart and responsible manner, based on modern science and technology, while ensuring harmony between economic development, environmental protection and marine ecosystem conservation.

To realise its goal of becoming a strong maritime nation that prospers from the sea and meets the criteria of a modern marine economy, Vietnam needs to prioritise key marine sectors such as offshore wind power, the development and use of “blue carbon” resources, ports and logistics, industrial-scale marine aquaculture, marine and island ecotourism, and a circular marine economy.

Addressing the event, Tran Dinh Hiep, Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that in implementing Resolution 36 on the strategy for sustainable marine economic development, the province has issued multiple plans and carried out key tasks in a coordinated manner. Quang Tri’s marine economy has recorded notable progress, with coastal tourism recovering rapidly and growing strongly. In 2025, the province is expected to welcome 9.6 million visitors, generating more than VND11 trillion (US$417.5 million) in revenue.

The port system has also seen synchronised investment, particularly with the launch of construction of the Hon La international general port, capable of receiving vessels of up to 100,000 tonnes. Coastal economic zones such as Southeast Quang Tri continue to attract investment, gradually forming an increasingly complete marine industrial and service ecosystem.

Alongside economic development, the province places special emphasis on marine environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. Measures to reduce ocean plastic waste, respond to oil spills and monitor the marine environment are being implemented regularly. Science and technology are also being applied in baseline surveys and the monitoring of marine resources and the environment, providing an important foundation for integrated coastal zone management.

Looking ahead, Quang Tri has identified key orientations for the sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources, including refining development planning and policies, strengthening regional linkages and mobilising domestic and international resources for major projects in port infrastructure, coastal economic zones, coastal tourism and offshore renewable energy.

At the forum, delegates discussed a wide range of topics, including Vietnam’s seas and islands, green marine economic policies, blue carbon, investment in natural capital, Quang Tri’s marine economic potential, development orientations for Con Co island tourism, and fisheries logistics and seafood processing under OCOP standards.

Participants highlighted the need to strengthen regional and international cooperation, apply ecosystem-based marine spatial planning, accelerate digital transformation in monitoring and management, and promote development models that balance economic growth, ecological protection and social benefits.

Meeting charts course for sustainable marine economy

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired the first meeting of the National Steering Committee on the implementation of the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy till 2030, with a vision to 2045.