24/07/2025
The National Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) of Vietnam for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, has been developed for the first time in Vietnam. It was approved by the National Assembly during its 7th session (15th legislature) and promulgated through Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15 dated June 28th, 2024. The scope of the MSP encompasses coastal areas, islands, archipelagos, marine zones, and the airspace over Vietnam. It represents a framework-level, comprehensive, integrated, cross-sectoral, dynamic, and open plan, which guides and concretizes the Party’s policies and the State's legal framework on the management, exploitation, and use of marine space. It particularly embodies the spirit of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018, issued at the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 12th Central Committee, concerning the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. The MSP also serves as a concrete expression of the National Master Plan and aligns with the National Land Use Planning.
The key objectives in the National Marine Spatial Planning help allocate and organize marine spaces efficiently, serving economic, environmental, and national security interests
The MSP provides strategic directions for the development of marine economic sectors and islands especially for 12 major island districts, including the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelagos. It outlines four major breakthroughs to be achieved by 2030: (i) Development of logistics infrastructure and services in conjunction with the shipbuilding and maritime transport industries; (ii) Sustainable, responsible, and creative development of marine and island tourism, linked with the creation of green and smart island cities; (iii) Promotion of a green, circular, low-carbon, and resilient fisheries economy, prioritizing offshore aquaculture and fishing, integrated with marine conservation and cultural preservation; (iv) Rapid and sustainable development of clean and green marine energy sources, with a focus on offshore wind power; ensuring national energy security and defense; and conducting comprehensive research and assessment of the potential of offshore oil, gas, mineral resources, and seabed construction materials.
The marine space in the MSP is initially divided into four distinct zoning categories: Prohibited zones for exploitation; Conditional exploitation zones; Special protection areas; Encouraged development zones. This classification aims to resolve conflicts among economic sectors and between conservation, defense, and development objectives.
To implement the MSP, the Government issued Resolution No. 37/NQ-CP on May 27, 2025, which outlines 26 prioritized tasks, programs, and projects to be carried out by 2030. The key priorities include:
1. Reviewing and amending the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment and related legislation to enhance consistency and improve the effectiveness of resource management and marine environmental protection.
2. Promoting research and the application of information technology, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence in the development of coastal, marine, and island infrastructure and emerging marine industries.
3. Rapid and sustainable development of a green, circular, low-carbon, and resilient fisheries economy, efficiently using resources in conjunction with conservation, cultural preservation, defense, security, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
4. Investigation, evaluation, and sustainable exploitation of renewable energy sources, with an immediate focus on developing offshore wind power.
To fulfill these mandates, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), within its authority, issued Decision No. 1713/QD-BNNMT on May 28, 2025. This Decision promulgates the MONRE Implementation Plan for Resolution No. 37/NQ-CP, aiming to: (i) Intensify the execution of Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15 and Government Resolution No. 37/NQ-CP; (ii) Define a roadmap and assign responsibilities to MONRE departments to effectively implement the MSP.
The 7th session of the 15th National Assembly did indeed pass Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15, focusing on National
Marine Spatial Planning for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision extending to 2050
One of the MONRE plan’s top priorities to be pursued through 2030 is the survey, evaluation, and identification of priority areas for offshore wind development, based on the zones identified in the MSP. This aims to support the national target of achieving 6,000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, in accordance with the National Power Development Plan approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 262/QD-TTg dated April 1, 2024.
Additionally, to realize the goals outlined in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, by the Politburo - regarding breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the marine and island domains toward 2045 the MSP implementation will focus on: (i) Building and completing a technical system to support state management activities in sea area allocation and use; monitoring exploitation and use of marine and island resources and the environment; (ii) Researching and applying IT, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence in the development of marine infrastructure and emerging marine industries.
Through these strategic initiatives and implementation efforts, the MSP will help rationally allocate and organize marine space for economic, environmental, and national security interests, paving the way for a sustainable, prosperous marine economy in Vietnam.
Phạm Văn Lam, Lại Đức Ngân
Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands
(Source: The article was published on the Environment Magazine by English No. II/2025)
