On 22 September 2021, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1579/QD-TTg approving the Master Plan for developing Vietnam's seaport system in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, which clearly defines development perspectives and goals.

Viewpoint: The plan clearly states that seaports are an important part of the maritime infrastructure and socio-economic infrastructure. At the same time, it is one of three strategic breakthroughs, which should be prioritised for investment, ensuring the harmony between socio-economic development and national defence, security and social security assurance, and climate change adaptation, contributing to maintaining sovereignty over the seas and islands, strengthening international cooperation on sea issues, maintaining a peaceful, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and promoting sustainable development.

Developing maritime infrastructure facilities in a uniform and modern manner to ensure maritime safety and security as well as effective connection between modes of transport; make best use of advantages of maritime transport that is mainly employed to transport cargo units of massive weight, plays an important role in international freight transport. Promoting the advantages of geographical location, linking with economic and urban development space; focus on developing international gateway ports capable of receiving large tonnage ships travelling on long-distance sea routes, etc. Mobilise all resources, especially out-of-budget resources, to make consistent and focused investments in maritime infrastructure facilities; prioritise the use of state resources for investment in public maritime infrastructure facilities. Proactively access and promote application of achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to construction, management and operation towards green seaport development, energy saving and effective use of coastline and water surface resources.

Regarding the goal by 2030, develop a uniform system of modern seaports that provide high-quality services, meet needs for socio-economic development, ensure national defence and security, maritime safety and environmental protection, improve economic competitiveness and help Vietnam achieve the goal of becoming an upper-middle-income developing country with modern industry by 2030. Some important indicators that need to be achieved are that the seaport system is capable of meeting the movement of 1.140 - 1.423 million tonnes of goods (including 38 - 47 million TEU of containerized goods), and 10,1 - 10,3 million passenger arrivals, etc.

The plan also identifies the goal and vision until 2050 as develop a uniform system of modern seaports which are expected to keep pace with other seaports in the region and in the world, meet green port criteria; fully and effectively meet the national demands for socio-economic development, play an important and leading role in promoting successful development of maritime economy under Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated 22 October 2018 by the 8th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee on Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy by 2030, with a vision to 2045. The capacity of the seaport system will meet the needs of customs clearance of goods with an average growth rate of about 4.0% to 4.5%/year. The average growth rate of passengers is about 1.2% to 1.3%/year.

The above-mentioned viewpoints and goals are both strategic orientations and an important legal basis for central departments, ministries, branches and coastal localities to promote their advantages and invest in building synchronous and modern seaport systems and effectively exploit them, ensuring rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy, making an important contribution to consolidating and strengthening national defence and security and effectively responding to climate change.

CAO VUONG