Against the backdrop of global economic recovery and evolving geopolitical landscapes, Vietnam is actively promoting the transformation and upgrading of its ocean economy to adapt to new challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic era. As a country with over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, Vietnam recognizes the importance of the ocean economy for its national development. The latest data shows that in 2023, the ocean economy’s contribution to Vietnam’s GDP exceeded 65%, significantly higher than in previous years, highlighting its core position in the national development strategy.、
Digital Transformation Leads Industrial Upgrading
The “2030 Ocean Economy Digital Transformation Plan” recently released by the Vietnamese government has become an important catalyst for driving industry innovation. This plan aims to comprehensively improve the efficiency of marine resource management, maritime transport, and marine environmental monitoring by utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and the Internet of Things. Notably, the Ho Chi Minh City port management system has successfully implemented intelligent upgrades, optimizing ship scheduling through AI algorithms, significantly improving port operational efficiency, and becoming a benchmark project in Southeast Asia. This upgrade not only reduces ship waiting times but also lowers fuel consumption and carbon emissions, providing strong support for achieving green port development.
Additionally, the Vietnam Maritime Administration is promoting the use of electronic nautical charts and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to enhance navigation safety. Meanwhile, the establishment of Vietnam’s marine and island digital map platform provides accurate data support for marine spatial planning and resource management, aiding the government in formulating more scientific and rational marine development policies.
Renewable Energy Development: Offshore Wind Power Leads the Trend
In terms of sustainable development, Vietnam is vigorously developing marine renewable energy, especially offshore wind power. In early 2024, Vietnam’s largest offshore wind farm in Binh Thuan Province officially connected to the grid, with an installed capacity of 1GW, not only providing clean energy for the local area but also creating thousands of jobs. The successful implementation of this project marks a significant breakthrough for Vietnam in the offshore wind power sector and represents a crucial step towards achieving national energy transition goals.
The Vietnamese government has formulated an ambitious offshore wind power development plan, aiming to increase offshore wind power installed capacity to 15GW by 2030. To achieve this goal, Vietnam has signed marine energy technology cooperation agreements with countries such as Denmark and Japan to introduce advanced technologies and management experiences. At the same time, Vietnamese domestic enterprises are actively participating, with Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) applying its expertise in offshore oil and gas platforms to the development and construction of offshore wind power projects.
In addition to wind energy, Vietnam is actively exploring the development and utilization of wave and tidal energy. In Khanh Hoa Province, a pilot wave energy power station is under construction, expected to provide stable renewable energy for coastal areas. These diversified marine energy development projects will not only help Vietnam achieve energy security but also promote the development of related industrial chains and create more job opportunities.
Marine Biotechnology: Opening a New Chapter in the Blue Economy
Breakthroughs in the field of marine biotechnology have injected new vitality into Vietnam’s ocean economy development. Vietnamese scientists recently discovered a new type of marine microorganism in the South China Sea, whose extract shows strong anti-cancer activity. This discovery not only has the potential to promote new drug development but also injects new momentum into Vietnam’s marine biopharmaceutical industry. The National Marine Biotechnology Center has announced partnerships with several international pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the commercialization process of related research.
The Vietnamese government is strongly supporting the development of the marine biotechnology industry, establishing special funds to support related research and entrepreneurial projects. In Da Nang, a science and technology park focused on marine biotechnology is under construction, aiming to attract top domestic and international talent and enterprises to create an innovative ecosystem for marine biotechnology. Furthermore, many universities in Vietnam have opened marine biotechnology-related majors to cultivate much-needed professional talent for the industry.
Fishery Innovation: Balancing Intelligence and Sustainable Development
In the fishery sector, Vietnam is actively promoting industrial upgrading. The newly launched “Smart Fishery 4.0” plan uses satellite technology and IoT devices to provide fishermen with real-time marine data and fish distribution information, effectively improving fishing efficiency while reducing the risk of overfishing. This system not only helps fishermen reduce fuel costs but also contributes to marine ecological protection by reducing bycatch and mixed catches through precise positioning.
The aquaculture industry is also undergoing digital transformation. Vietnam’s first fully automated aquaculture base in Nha Trang has been put into operation, adopting AI-controlled water quality monitoring and feed delivery systems, significantly improving yield and quality while reducing environmental impact. This intelligent farming model not only improves production efficiency but also effectively controls disease spread and reduces antibiotic use, producing healthier and more sustainable aquatic products.
Vietnam is also actively promoting ecological aquaculture models, such as the mangrove-shrimp farming system, which both protects coastal ecosystems and brings economic benefits to farmers. This model has been successful in the Mekong Delta region and is being promoted to other coastal areas across the country.
Environmental Protection: Multi-dimensional Strategies to Address Marine Pollution
However, rapid development has also brought new challenges, with marine plastic pollution becoming increasingly serious, threatening coastal ecosystems. In response, the Vietnamese government recently issued strict plastic restrictions and jointly launched the “Clean Ocean Alliance” initiative with neighboring countries, aimed at reducing marine debris through regional cooperation. This initiative has gained widespread support from the international community, with many international environmental organizations and multinational companies joining to promote marine environmental protection.
At the same time, Vietnamese research institutions are developing biodegradable materials to replace traditional plastic products. At Da Nang University of Technology, researchers have successfully developed a seaweed-based biodegradable packaging material that is expected to be widely applied in the food packaging field. The government is also encouraging enterprises to adopt environmentally friendly materials, promoting the development of the green packaging industry through tax incentives and other policies.
Furthermore, Vietnam is strengthening the construction and management of marine protected areas. Recently, Vietnam announced the establishment of a new marine protected area around Phu Quoc Island to protect coral reefs and sea turtle habitats. This will not only benefit ecological protection but also promote the development of eco-tourism, creating new job opportunities for local residents.
International Cooperation: Building Blue Economy Partnerships
In terms of international cooperation, Vietnam is actively participating in the “Blue Economy Partnership” initiative, working with ASEAN countries to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. This initiative covers multiple areas including marine environmental protection, sustainable fisheries, and marine energy development, aiming to achieve common development through regional cooperation.
Recently, Vietnam successfully hosted the first “Asia-Pacific Marine Innovation Forum,” attracting experts and scholars from over 20 countries to discuss frontier topics in ocean economic development, further enhancing Vietnam’s influence in regional maritime affairs. At the forum, Vietnam proposed the establishment of an “Asia-Pacific Marine Innovation Network,” which received positive responses from all parties. This network will promote exchanges and cooperation among countries in the field of marine science and technology innovation, injecting new momentum into the region’s ocean economic development.
In terms of bilateral cooperation, Vietnam has signed a marine science and technology cooperation agreement with Japan, focusing on cooperation in marine environmental monitoring and seabed resource exploration. Meanwhile, Vietnam has also established a marine sustainable development partnership with Australia to jointly advance research and implementation of marine conservation and blue carbon projects.
Future Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges Coexist
Looking ahead, Vietnam’s ocean economy development faces both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the widespread application of digital technologies and the in-depth practice of green development concepts have injected new vitality into Vietnam’s ocean economy. Vietnam is expected to achieve greater breakthroughs in fields such as marine biotechnology, renewable energy, and smart fisheries through continuous innovation and international cooperation, promoting economic structure transformation and upgrading.
On the other hand, Vietnam still needs to address many challenges. Climate change-induced sea-level rise and increased extreme weather events pose threats to coastal areas. How to improve the adaptability of coastal communities and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems is a long-term issue that Vietnam needs to face. Additionally, while promoting rapid development of the ocean economy, how to balance economic growth and ecological protection, avoiding resource overexploitation, is also an important challenge facing Vietnamese policymakers.
To address these challenges, Vietnam is formulating a more comprehensive and long-term marine development strategy. The government plans to increase investment in marine scientific research, cultivate high-quality marine talents, and promote the development of the ocean economy towards a more sustainable direction through legislation and policy guidance. At the same time, Vietnam is actively seeking international cooperation, participating in global ocean governance, and jointly addressing global challenges facing the marine environment.
As global attention to the sustainable use of marine resources continues to increase, Vietnam’s ocean economy development strategy will undoubtedly provide valuable reference for other developing countries. Vietnam’s experience shows that through technological innovation, policy guidance, and international cooperation, developing countries can fully achieve economic growth while realizing sustainable use of marine resources and effective protection of the marine environment.
Vietnam’s ocean economy development is standing at a new starting point. Guided by the concepts of digital transformation and green development, Vietnam is expected to become a regional ocean economy powerhouse in the near future, making important contributions to global sustainable marine development. However, achieving this goal requires joint efforts from the government, enterprises, research institutions, and the public, as well as continuous support and cooperation from the international community. Vietnam’s path of ocean economy development will undoubtedly become a case worth watching, providing new perspectives and insights for us to think about the harmonious coexistence between humans and the ocean.
