The article, part of the ‘Blue Security’ project, explores Vietnam’s maritime governance priorities amid its extensive coastline and economic zone. With a coastline of 2,000 miles and a claimed exclusive economic zone of over 500,000 square miles, Vietnam has outlined key maritime governance goals in its 2019 National Defence White Paper. Primary concerns include safeguarding sovereignty, ensuring freedom of navigation, and promoting sustainable economic growth in marine sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, and renewable energy.
Vietnam has increasingly emphasized the importance of protecting marine ecosystems within its blue economy framework, as demonstrated in the 2018 Resolution 36-NQ/TW, which aims for sustainable marine development by 2030. Additionally, the country strives to enhance the safety and prosperity of its coastal communities, which comprise over half its population, while strengthening international maritime cooperation to tackle common security challenges.
The nation faces significant maritime security challenges, primarily concerning traditional threats like territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly with China over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. Non-traditional threats include illegal fishing, smuggling, marine pollution, and the adverse effects of climate change, notably rising sea levels projected to affect millions in the coming decades.
Despite several strengths, including a unified governance structure led by the Communist Party and strong political will for integration into global maritime frameworks, Vietnam’s maritime governance faces critical gaps. Key issues include financial constraints limiting the modernization of its Coast Guard and Navy, inconsistent law enforcement among local agencies, and overlapping responsibilities that hinder effective responses to maritime threats. Moreover, limitations in marine science and a lack of maritime domain awareness exacerbate these challenges.
To enhance its maritime governance capacity, Vietnam seeks international cooperation in several areas. These include technological transfers for shipbuilding and resource management, joint patrols to address transnational maritime crimes, and policy exchanges to learn from global best practices, particularly in law enforcement and maritime strategy development.
Regional frameworks like the ASEAN Maritime Forum and dialogues with external partners bolster Vietnam’s governance efforts and provide platforms to express maritime concerns and advocate for adherence to international law. While cautious regarding minilateral security frameworks such as the Quad and AUKUS, which aim to counter aggressive regional policies, Vietnam emphasizes a stance of neutrality in its foreign relations.
In summary, Vietnam’s maritime governance is characterized by significant priorities and challenges, necessitating enhanced international cooperation and modernization efforts to manage both traditional and non-traditional maritime security threats effectively.
