Vietnam is among the world’s 150 coastal countries. It has a 3,260 km long coastline, nearly 3,000 islands and two large archipelagoes. Its exclusive economic zone covers more than 1 million square kilometers. Vietnam has the world’s highest ratio of coastline and mainland. And in the 21^st century, the countries with or without sea and island areas are exerting every effort to tap full potential of the sea.

Marine energy resources include not only oil and gas but also a supply of clean energy resources from water and wind which may help overcome the exhaustion of traditional energy resources. In the past, the sea provided people with fuel resources and other essential things. At present and in the future, the sea may offer more than what it previously gave.

For a long time, the sea and island areas have held a strategic position in national construction and development. In recent years, the marine-based economy has greatly contributed to boosting the growth of the national economy. In 2006, the oil and gas sector’s revenue accounted for more than one quarter of the country’s total budget collection and the seafood sector earned over US$3 billion from exports. However, benefits from the sea and island areas have not yet matched their potential and requirements for national development. Despite the East Sea possessing a large sea and island area, Vietnam has not yet worked out a master plan to exploit and protect national natural resources in a comprehensive and effective way.

Even though Vietnam has a lot bays and important sea ports close to the international sea route, its shipping service capacity remains weak. For thousands of years, the Vietnamese nation has been boasting of its large sea, mountains, forests and plains. The country has a long-established wet rice civilization but it has failed to make the best use of its sea and islands.

At the 10^th National Party Congress, the Party outlined the development of the marine-based economy with a focus on building and implementing a long-term strategy aimed at turning Vietnam into a strong marine-based economy in the region while ensuring national security and promoting international cooperation.

Thanks to abundant marine resources, we have developed the oil and gas industry, the marine mineral exploration industry and the seafood processing industry. In the near future, we will focus on developing shipping, sea and island tourism services. In the sea and island areas, we will build new industrial parks, export processing zones, open economic zones and new urban areas. It is hoped that the marine-based economy will contribute significantly to raising the country’s GDP. The legendary story of the ancient Vietnam with having 50 sons going to the forests and 50 sons going to the sea, with one young man, Mai An Thiem heading to an island, will continue to give additional strength to the young generations of Vietnamese who are bracing themselves for full exploitation of the sea and island areas in spite of strong winds and rough waves.