In order to turn Vietnam into a marine powerhouse, under its Resolution 26/NQ-CP, dated March 5th, 2020, the Government has formulated a plan towards 2025 for developing the country’s marine and coastal economy, with a focus on the following fields.

As for marine tourism and services, it is necessary to continue well executing the Government’s Resolution 103/NQ-CP, dated October 6th, 2017 on the Action Programme for the 12th Politburo’s Resolution 08-NQ/TW, dated January 16th, 2017 on developing tourism into a key economic sector. Emphasis should be placed on developing marine tourism and services under the Strategy for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy towards 2030, with a vision towards 2045. Due attention should be paid to reviewing, designing, and promulgating preferential policies for the development of marine tourism and services.

Regarding maritime affairs, great value should be attached to enhancing the effectiveness of management of large-scale international gateways and seaports, upgrading the existing seaports, constructing a number of local seaports in accordance with the demands for socio-economic development, making investments in maintaining shipping lanes, modernising Vietnam’s cargo ship fleet, synchronously developing maritime transport services, raising the quality of logistics services, and increasing market share of exports and imports.

With reference to the exploitation of petroleum and marine natural resources, it is necessary to explore petroleum in sedimentary basins, search for unconventional hydrocarbons, and conduct surveys and evaluations of natural resources and especially minerals of high value and strategic importance on the seabed.

Concerning aquaculture and fishing, it is essential to transform small-scale aquacultural models using outdated technology into large-scale aquacultural industry with modern technology, encourage fishermen to work in distant waters, establish and operate artificial habitats for marine species. Due regard should be paid to applying energy-efficient technologies to fishing in order to increase the effectiveness of production and protect the marine environment.

With respect to coastal industries, it is important to attract investments in developing hi-tech, environmentally-friendly industries and projects with the use of source technologies in coastal economic and industrial zones. Priority should be given to developing hi-tech processing industries to increase the value of products.

In regard to the development of renewable energies and new marine economic sectors, more investments should be placed on developing renewable energies on islands to serve production, the people’s life, and national defence and security. Importance should be attached to exploiting wind and solar power and a number of other renewable energies. Due regard should be paid to developing several economic sectors based on the exploitation of marine biodiversity, such as mangrove forest, marine medicinal material, and seaweed farming and processing.

Furthermore, according to the Government’s plan, it is essential to develop tourism and marine services within potential seas and upgrade a number of important shipping lanes, breakwaters, and habours in a synchronous, modern, sustainable manner.

TRAN TOAN