Decision 1117/QD-TTg 2024 approve Master Plan for Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Zone Resources for 2021-2030

DECISION

Approving the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Zone Resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050

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THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; and the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment dated June 25, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Thirty-Seven Laws Related to Planning;

Pursuant to the Planning Law dated November 24, 2017;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 dated June 16, 2022, on continuing to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of policies and planning law and solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles, accelerate the formulation, and improve the quality of planning for the 2021-2030 period;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 dated January 9, 2023, on the National Overall Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15 dated June 28, 2024, on the National Marine Spatial Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 39/2021/QH15 dated November 13, 2021, on the National Land Use Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, and the 2021-2025 Five-Year National Land Use Plan;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP dated May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law; and Decree No. 58/2023/ND-CP dated August 12, 2023, amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP dated May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 26/NQ-CP dated March 5, 2020, promulgating the Government’s overall plan and 5-year plan to implement Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of October 22, 2018, of the eighth plenum of the Party Central Committee, the XII^th Congress, on the Strategy on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 48/NQ-CP dated April 3, 2023, approving the Strategy for the sustainable exploitation and use of resources and protection of the marine and island environment through 2030, with a vision toward 2050;

At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in Report No. 107/TTr-BTNMT dated December 29, 2023, on the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Zone Resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050; and Appraisal Report No. 01/BC-HDTDQHTHVB dated December 25, 2023, of the Council for Appraisal of the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Zone Resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Master Plan for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Zone Resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (hereinafter referred to as the Master Plan), with the following principal contents:

I. VIEWPOINTS, OBJECTIVES AND VISION

1. Viewpoints

a) To concretize the objectives, orientations and key solutions set out in the National Overall Master Plan, the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Marine Economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045, and the Strategy for the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Resources and the Protection of the Marine and Island Environment through 2030, with a vision toward 2050; and to ensure consistency and uniformity with the National Marine Spatial Master Plan and the National Land Use Master Plan.

b) To protect, conserve, and restore ecosystems and biodiversity; to maintain the functions, structures, and capacity to provide essential products and services of coastal ecosystems for the socio-economic development of coastal areas; to prevent and control pollution and environmental incidents; and to proactively respond to climate change and sea level rise.

c) To strengthen the capacity for integrated management of coastal resources and environmental protection; to ensure close and effective linkage from planning, investigation, exploration and exploitation to processing and use of resources; to encourage the application of advanced and modern models for resource exploitation and use in a green and sustainable manner, compatible with ecosystem resilience and environmental carrying capacity.

d) To ensure the people's right of access to the sea; to preserve and promote historical values and marine cultural identity; and to ensure national defense and security within the coastal zone.

dd) To expand and enhance the effectiveness of international cooperation, giving priority to science, technology, baseline surveys, and focused investment in the management, exploitation and use of coastal zone resources.

2. Objectives to 2030

a) General objective

To manage, exploit, and use coastal zone resources effectively, contributing to turning Vietnam into a strong and prosperous maritime nation that develops sustainably, ensures security and safety, secures livelihoods, and improves the living standards of coastal communities in association with the conservation and development of natural, ecological, and cultural values; to proactively prevent and combat natural disasters, effectively respond to climate change and sea level rise; and to strictly control and reverse the trend of environmental pollution, degradation, and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems.

b) Specific objectives

- To protect, maintain, and restore ecosystems, biodiversity, and other values of the coastal zone; to expand areas for conservation and protection of natural, ecological marine values and coastal mangrove forests, striving to ensure that the total area designated for protection accounts for at least 06% of the total national marine natural area.

- To rationally organize and allocate spatial areas among sectors and fields, and to fundamentally resolve overlapping and conflicting uses in the exploitation and use of coastal zone resources, while ensuring the resilience of ecosystems and the protection of the coastal environment, thereby contributing to the achievement of the following targets: 100% of hazardous waste, domestic solid waste, and plastic waste at beaches, coastal tourist areas, and marine protected areas shall be collected and treated; and 100% of coastal economic zones, industrial parks, and urban areas shall be planned and developed in a sustainable, ecological, smart, and safe manner, equipped with centralized wastewater treatment systems meeting applicable environmental standards and technical regulations.

- To ensure the people's right of access to the sea, improve livelihoods and living standards of coastal communities, and eliminate all particularly disadvantaged coastal communes, contributing to raising the average per capita income of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to at least 1.2 times the national average; to protect and conserve cultural heritage, and promote historical traditions and marine cultural identity, thereby contributing to the development of a comprehensive Vietnamese cultural identity aligned with the trends of the era.

- To closely integrate national defense and security with socio-economic development, and vice versa; to implement the construction of national defense facilities according to the planned military posture in coastal defense zones; and to engage in international cooperation on resources, biodiversity and marine and island environment protection in a proactive manner, ensuring close coordination among sectors and levels of administration in implementation.

- To effectively support state management of marine and island resources and environmental protection through integrated management approaches, thereby enabling 100% of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to develop and effectively implement integrated coastal zone resource management programs.

3. Vision to 2050

Coastal zone resources shall be managed, exploited and used effectively and sustainably to facilitate the comprehensive development of marine economic sectors, thereby turning the coastal zone into a vibrant economic and cultural centre that attracts investment and serves as a gateway linking inland development spaces with the sea and facilitating Vietnam’s international trade. Coastal areas shall serve as a solid foundation for advancing seaward development and a driving force for promoting the development of other regions nationwide. The coastal environment shall be clean and safe, with natural, ecological, scenic, cultural and historical values preserved, protected, and promoted. National defense and security shall be firmly maintained, moving toward the goal of making Vietnam a strong and prosperous maritime nation that develops sustainably, ensures security and safety, and achieves net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

II. SCOPE AND PLANNING PERIOD

1. Scope of planning

The coastal zone planning scope includes nearshore marine areas and coastal land areas, specifically:

a) Nearshore marine areas are defined by the baseline of the mean low water line averaged over many years (18.6 years) on the landward side, and a boundary extending 06 nautical miles seaward from that baseline.

b) Coastal land areas include coastal communes, wards, and townships affiliated to 28 coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

However, in order to ensure the integrity of ecosystems and important habitats, and to fully address strong land-sea interactions, the spatial scope of the coastal zone shall, in certain areas, be extended further landward and seaward.

2. Planning period

The planning period of the coastal zone shall be from 2021 to 2030, with a vision toward 2050.

III. ZONING FOR EXPLOITATION AND USE OF COASTAL ZONE RESOURCES

1. Coastal land areas

Coastal land areas and islands shall be zoned and allocated in accordance with the National Land Use Master Plan and the National Overall Master Plan, based on 04 socio-economic zones: the Northern region from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh; the North Central and South Central Coast from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan; the Southeastern region, including Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City; and the Southwestern region from Tien Giang to Kien Giang. In order to promote the strong development of the blue economy and ensure harmony between land-based and marine activities, the exploitation and use of resources in coastal land areas shall be prioritized for infrastructure development, particularly expressway corridors, economic zones, industrial parks, and coastal urban areas, thereby creating momentum and driving forces for the development of marine economic sectors and connecting coastal areas with islands, key economic zones, and international gateways. Land reclamation shall be carried out in appropriate areas, without causing degradation to natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, or the cultural and historical values of the coastal zone, in order to increase spatial resources and land fund for socio-economic development in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

a) Northern coastal land area

The Hai Phong - Quang Ninh area shall serve as a modern, internationally oriented marine economic center, taking the lead in Southeast Asia and acting as the gateway and development driver of the Red River Delta region; the Thai Binh - Nam Dinh - Ninh Binh area shall focus on strong and sustainable marine economic development.

- Regarding infrastructure: To concentrate investment in and complete coastal infrastructure systems, especially coastal roads, railways, and road connections from seaports to national highways and expressways; to study and construct new railway lines connecting seaports and Mong Cai international border gate with Hanoi. To develop coastal urban areas and residential spots toward forming coastal urban chains associated with marine economic development and closely linked through the coastal economic belt.

- Regarding priority economic sectors:

+ To establish highly internationalized tourism zones in Quang Ninh (Van Don, Ha Long Bay), and develop Quang Ninh into a national tourism center connected with major international tourism hubs in the region and the world; to link the tourism development of Cat Ba - Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long - Van Don into a center for resort tourism, entertainment, and marine-island natural heritage tourism of international stature in the Asia-Pacific region.

+ To develop international seaports, deep sea and domestic maritime transport, marine services, and multimodal logistics centered around the Hai Phong - Quang Ninh port cluster. To build Lach Huyen Port and Nam Do Son Port into international gateway and transshipment ports; to call for and attract investment in major seaports such as Nam Tien Phong and Con Ong - Hon Net; and to build international-standard marinas in Cua Luc Bay. To develop specialized seaports associated with coastal economic zones in the region; to organize coastal waterway transport corridors, including: a coastal corridor spanning Vietnam (from Quang Ninh to Kien Giang), 03 corridors in the northern region (Quang Ninh - Hai Phong - Hanoi, Quang Ninh - Hai Phong - Ninh Binh, and Hanoi - Nam Dinh - Ninh Binh), with particular emphasis on the Van Gia - Ka Long - Hai Phong coastal route.

+ To continue promoting investment and development in 04 existing coastal economic zones, including Quang Yen and Van Don (Quang Ninh), Dinh Vu - Cat Hai (Hai Phong), and Thai Binh (Thai Binh); and to establish new coastal economic zones in Ninh Co (Nam Dinh) and the southern coastal area of Hai Phong, including consideration of the establishment of a free trade zone.

+ To prioritize shipbuilding industries for container ships, large cargo ships, and specialized marine vessels serving economic and defense purposes; mechanical engineering, automobile industry, and high-tech industries producing electronic and telecommunications equipment centered in the northern Hai Phong - southern Quang Ninh area; textile and garment industries and consumer goods manufacturing for export, concentrated in Hai Phong - Thai Binh - Nam Dinh.

+ To focus on the development of large-scale commercial agricultural production for inter-regional consumption and export. To develop aquaculture and fisheries applying modern technologies, associated with enhancing the protection and regeneration of aquatic resources and developing fisheries brands, with Hai Phong as the center for fisheries logistics services.

+ To promote the application of science and technology and the training of human resources in the marine sector; to establish high-tech zones, trade zones, and international financial service centers in the Hai Phong - Ha Long area; to develop Hai Phong into a national hub for training, research, and application of marine science and technology, including the construction of Vietnam Maritime University as a national key institution for research and training in support of sustainable marine economic development.

- Regarding protection and conservation of the coastal environment: To restore and conserve marine ecosystems and protect aquatic resources; to strengthen regional linkages in the exploitation and use of resources, conservation, and biodiversity protection, especially in nature reserves and national-level natural heritage sites (Bai Tu Long, Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba National Park, Xuan Thuy National Park, etc.); to prevent biodiversity degradation in estuaries and wetlands; and to proactively respond to natural disasters, environmental incidents, climate change, and sea level rise, with emphasis on upgrading and constructing new disaster prevention and control infrastructure.

b) North Central and South-Central coastal land area

The North Central and South Central coastal land area serves as the seaward gateway for the Central Highlands region and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, with the potential for rapid, strong, and sustainable marine economic development through the development of modern coastal economic zones and smart, environmentally friendly coastal urban systems resilient to natural disasters and responsive to climate change, where cultural and historical values and ecosystems are protected, conserved, and promoted.

- Regarding infrastructure: To synchronously connect the transport system with coastal economic zones, industrial parks, the Da Nang high-tech park, airports, and seaports; to complete the coastal road system in localities within the region; to study, invest in, and upgrade horizontal expressways connecting international border gates with seaports; to upgrade, renovate, and improve the efficiency of existing airports in the region; to invest in the new construction of Phan Thiet airport and Quang Tri airport; and to concentrate resources on the development of seaports with the potential to become special-class seaports, particularly in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Da Nang, and Khanh Hoa.

- Regarding the development of priority economic sectors: To strongly develop the marine economy in association with the assurance of national defense and security at sea, particularly in sectors such as marine tourism and services, maritime economy, oil and gas processing and other marine mineral resources, aquaculture and marine capture fisheries, coastal industries, renewable energy, and emerging marine economic sectors, etc. To step up investment attraction into 11 existing coastal economic zones, giving priority to those zones with significant roles and driving forces for the socio-economic development of the region.

North Central sub-region (from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh):

+ To establish marine tourism centers and zones with strong international appeal; to promote the integrated development of coastal tourism centers in southern Thanh Hoa - northern Nghe An and southern Nghe An - northern Ha Tinh; to develop Quang Binh into a regional hub for marine eco-tourism and beach resorts of high international standard.

+ To develop seaports and logistics centers serving import, export, and goods transit at the gateway of the Gulf of Tonkin, ensuring inter-regional and international connectivity, centered on the Nghi Son and Vung Ang - Cua Lo seaport clusters; to establish export processing zones, high-tech industrial-urban zones, and international logistics centers associated with seaports.

+ To prioritize high-tech industries, production of electronic products, export-oriented textile and garment industries, steel rolling and processing, and supporting industries for automobile manufacturing in Nghe An - Ha Tinh; petrochemical and chemical industries in southern Thanh Hoa - northern Nghe An in association with the Nghi Son Economic Zone; and renewable energy industries in coastal Quang Binh - Ha Tinh associated with the development of the Vung Ang Economic Zone.

+ To develop aquaculture focused on high-value products for export processing, with fisheries centers in Nghe An and Quang Binh.

Middle Central sub-region (from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai):

+ To develop coastal tourism in combination with heritage, cultural, and historical tourism; to promote the integrated development of the coastal tourism area of southern Thua Thien Hue - Da Nang - northern Quang Nam into an international-level center for marine eco-tourism, beach resorts, and world cultural heritage tourism.

+ To develop domestic and international container transshipment seaports and cruise ports, as well as international and domestic maritime transport and port-related services, centered on the Lien Chieu - Chan May seaport cluster.

+ To establish international seaport urban zones, science and technology zones, technical workforce training institutions in the marine economic sectors; trade zones, and international financial service centers in the Da Nang - Hue - Chan May Economic Zone area.

+ To develop the specialized shipbuilding and ship repair industry centered in Da Nang; the steel industry, automobile manufacturing and assembly, petrochemical and chemical industries in southern Quang Nam - northern Quang Ngai; seafood and marine mineral processing industries, and export-oriented consumer goods manufacturing concentrated in coastal economic zones; to expand and develop a national petroleum refining and energy center in the Dung Quat Economic Zone; and the gas industry in coastal Quang Tri, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai. To strengthen linkages between the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and the Dung Quat Economic Zone to form a key coastal industrial center of the region and the country.

+ To develop fisheries service centers in Da Nang; and to promote high-tech aquaculture concentrated in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai.

South Central sub-region (from Binh Dinh to Binh Thuan):

+ To develop highly internationalized marine tourism zones and coastal tourism urban areas, and link marine tourism facilities with heritage and cultural tourism facilities along the coast, centered on Nha Trang City, Quy Nhon City, and Phan Thiet City; to establish duty-free commercial centers for tourists and international coastal tourism urban zones in Khanh Hoa, southern Phu Yen, and Binh Thuan; and to develop them into internationally acclaimed centers for marine resorts, entertainment, and diving tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

+ To develop general cargo transshipment seaports for domestic and international trade, and specialized ports serving tourism and national defense, centered on the Van Phong - Cam Ranh - Quy Nhon seaport cluster; to study and develop the Bai Goc - Dong Hoa area; and to establish international seaport service urban zones associated with the Van Phong and Cam Ranh seaports.

+ To develop high-tech industries for the production of bioproducts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and mechanical engineering for ship maintenance and repair, centered in Khanh Hoa - southern Phu Yen; export-oriented consumer goods manufacturing, seafood and marine mineral processing industries concentrated in coastal economic zones in the region; renewable energy industries concentrated in Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan, developing them into a major coastal renewable energy industrial hub. To develop the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone into a strongly developed marine economic zone; and to continue studying the development of coastal economic zones in potential localities such as Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, subject to compliance with prevailing legal provisions.

+ To develop high-tech aquaculture and marine aquaculture activities, with fisheries logistics service centers in Cam Ranh and concentrated fisheries centers in Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.

- To develop internationally oriented scientific and technological services in the fields of marine research, marine environmental and ecosystem protection, and the training of scientific and technical human resources in maritime and marine-related fields; to establish marine science and technology zones and national marine research centers in Khanh Hoa.

- Regarding protection and conservation of the coastal environment: To ensure safety control and the complete resolution of environmental pollution; to strengthen integrated management of marine and island resources and environmental protection; to reduce plastic waste; to improve forecasting and impact assessment capacity for the effective implementation of disaster prevention and investment in infrastructure in response to climate change and sea level rise.

c) Southeastern coastal land area

The coastal land area of Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City serves as a leading international-level marine economic center in Southeast Asia, with priority sectors including seaports, logistics, oil and gas exploration, petrochemical industry, marine tourism, and the exploitation, aquaculture, and processing of aquatic products.

- To develop various types of tourism, including ecological tourism, resort tourism, cultural tourism, sports tourism, and high-quality entertainment and recreational services. To develop a chain of coastal tourism urban areas in the direction of green urbanization.

- To invest in completing the coastal road system; to accelerate the development of the Cai Mep - Thi Vai - Sao Mai - Ben Dinh seaport area, in connection with the Ho Chi Minh City seaport system, giving priority to allocating resources for the development of the Cai Mep - Thi Vai international gateway port into a major international transshipment port of regional and global scale; to study the construction of the Can Gio international transshipment port; to fundamentally upgrade inland waterway channels to meet technical standards; to establish port clusters to serve the consolidation and clearance of cargo for major seaports in the region. To develop a free trade zone associated with the seaport in the Cai Mep Ha area, thereby forming a complete industrial and service ecosystem.

- To develop Ba Ria - Vung Tau into a national marine economic center based on the petrochemical industry, processing of petroleum-based products, chemical industry, renewable energy industry, and shipbuilding industry; and to develop high-value aquaculture associated with fisheries trade services and centralized export-oriented processing.

- To develop coastal protection forests; and to strengthen the protection and conservation of biodiversity in the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve.

d) Southwestern coastal land area

The southwestern coastal land area comprises major marine economic centers of Southeast Asia, with the development of green industries, clean energy, and renewable energy, especially wind and solar power, associated with forest and coastal protection; aquaculture, marine fisheries, fisheries logistics services, and modern fishing infrastructure serving offshore fishing activities; and the establishment and development of ecological tourism, contributing to proactive disaster prevention and mitigation, and response to climate change and sea level rise.

- Regarding infrastructure: To complete the transport system connecting with major economic centers in the region and the world; to focus on effectively utilizing seaports, including the Tran De terminal area (Soc Trang seaport), which is oriented for potential planning as a special seaport serving as the gateway port of the Mekong Delta region; to upgrade, renovate, and maintain maritime channels, ensuring stable operations in line with the capacity of the seaport system, with emphasis on maritime channels for large-tonnage vessels entering the Hau River and the Tran De maritime route.

- Regarding the development of priority economic sectors:

+ To develop the gas industry, gas processing, gas-fired power, and renewable energy; to protect mangrove ecosystems in association with coastal protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, and response to climate change and sea level rise. To study the development of Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau into national renewable energy export centers.

+ To promote aquaculture and fisheries in coastal areas in a modern and sustainable manner; to develop the seafood processing industry, fisheries logistics services, and fishing infrastructure; to restore aquatic resources and protect marine biodiversity.

Eastern sub-region (from Tien Giang to southeastern Ca Mau):

+ To encourage ecological tourism and coastal nature reserve tourism in combination with community-based cultural tourism; to promote the linkage of tourism facilities, forming unique cultural-ecological coastal tourism zones in the southwestern region, developing them into a center for waterway-coastal-mangrove tourism with strong appeal in Southeast Asia.

+ To develop seaports for agricultural and aquatic product exports and import-export of goods, and logistics services, centered on the international ship terminal area in Tra Vinh - Soc Trang, closely connected with the Can Tho seaport; to establish an inter-regional and international logistics service center in the Dinh An Economic Zone.

+ To establish international export processing zones, high-tech industrial zones, and centralized processing industrial zones associated with hub seaports; to develop the renewable energy industry along the coastal provinces, forming a network linked into a national renewable energy industrial belt; to encourage the development of agricultural machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding and ship repair for cargo and passenger transport along the coast, inland waterway vessels, and seafood processing industries.

+ To develop the marine economic center of the subregion in Soc Trang City; to promote climate-adaptive, high-tech aquaculture with aquaculture zones centered in Bac Lieu; to develop modern fisheries infrastructure serving offshore fishing in southern waters, with fisheries activity centers in Tien Giang, Ben Tre, and Bac Lieu; to establish offshore fisheries logistics bases at the Hau River estuary.

Western sub-region (from southwestern Ca Mau to Kien Giang):

+ To develop Kien Giang into a national marine economic center; to develop coastal tourism networks connected with the islands of Phu Quoc, Tho Chu, Nam Du, Kien Hai, and Hon Chong.

+ To develop cruise seaports, cargo import-export seaports, domestic and international transshipment ports, and port-related services, centered on the Rach Gia - Hon Chong and Nam Can - Ong Doc seaport terminals; to attract investment in developing the Nam Can Economic Zone terminal into a gateway transshipment port; to study investment in developing Hon Khoai Port into a general seaport.

+ To encourage the development of seafood and aquafeed processing industries, gas processing and gas-fired power industries, and export-oriented consumer goods manufacturing industries concentrated along the coast from southern Kien Giang to northern Ca Mau.

+ To establish a major and modern national center for fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic seed production in Kien Giang; to develop large-scale concentrated aquaculture associated with mangrove ecosystem conservation and integrated with aquaculture support services and export processing industries.

- Regarding protection and conservation of the coastal environment: To continue protecting and developing nature reserves, biodiversity conservation facilities, and important wetlands in coastal localities.

2. Nearshore marine areas

Zoning for the exploitation and use of nearshore marine resources shall be carried out based on the functional characteristics of each area and the principle of addressing overlaps in the following order of priority: (1) National defense and security requirements; (2) Requirements for the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems; and (3) Requirements for economic development activities. For overlaps among activities serving economic development purposes, the prioritization of marine use shall follow the order: (1) Marine tourism and services; (2) Maritime economy; (3) Oil and gas extraction and other marine mineral resources; (4) Aquaculture and fisheries; and (5) Renewable energy and emerging marine economic sectors.

Where necessary, based on the proposals of provincial-level People's Committees and relevant ministries and sectors, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and adjustment of the prioritization order for specific nearshore marine areas, based on analysis and assessment of economic, social, and environmental cost-effectiveness, and the potential contribution to maritime sovereignty and security protection.

Vietnam’s nearshore marine areas are zoned into areas for exploitation and use, including: (1) Areas where exploitation and use of resources is prohibited, comprising 73 areas with a total area of approximately 45,300 hectares; (2) Areas where exploitation and use of resources is restricted, comprising 429 areas with a total area of approximately 3,256,000 hectares, including: 263 areas subject to conditional exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 3,119,000 hectares; and 166 areas requiring special protection, with a total area of approximately 137,000 hectares; (3) Areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, comprising: Priority areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 874,000 hectares; Potential areas requiring investigation and study for sand exploitation encouragement, with a total area of approximately 698,000 hectares; potential areas requiring investigation and study for placer mineral exploitation encouragement, with a total area of approximately 559,000 hectares; and areas encouraged for multi-purpose exploitation and use, with a total area of approximately one million eight hundred and eighty-four thousand 1,884,000 hectares.

a) Northern nearshore marine area

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is prohibited has a total area of nearly 4,000 hectares, comprising 11 areas designated for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 2,500 hectares, and 8 areas designated as contingency zones with an area of approximately 1,500 hectares.

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is restricted has a total area of approximately 159,000 hectares, including:

+ Areas subject to conditional exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 129,000 hectares, comprising: 04 areas for conditional exploitation and use for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 22,000 hectares; 09 areas for conditional exploitation and use for the protection of aquatic resources with an area of approximately 11,000 hectares; 01 area for conditional exploitation and use as artificial habitats for aquatic species with an area of approximately 1,000 hectares; 03 areas for conditional exploitation and use subject to seasonal fishing bans with an area of approximately 51,000 hectares; and 37 other areas for conditional exploitation and use with an area of approximately 44,000 hectares.

+ Areas requiring special protection, with a total area of more than 30,200 hectares, comprising: 01 area requiring special protection for marine conservation purposes with an area of more than 200 hectares; and 95 areas requiring special protection for important habitats with a total area of approximately 30,000 hectares.

- Areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources include:

+ Priority areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 166,000 hectares, comprising 03 areas prioritized for tourism development and 09 areas prioritized for port service development.

+ Potential areas requiring investigation and study for exploitation encouragement, including: potential areas requiring investigation and study for sand exploitation with an area of approximately 19,000 hectares, and potential areas requiring investigation and study for placer mineral exploitation with an area of approximately 16,000 hectares.

+ Areas encouraged for multi-purpose exploitation and use, with a total area of approximately 270,000 hectares.

b) North Central and South Central nearshore marine area

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is prohibited has a total area of approximately 40,000 hectares, comprising 30 areas designated for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 8,000 hectares, and 17 areas designated as contingency zones with an area of approximately 32,000 hectares.

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is restricted has a total area of approximately 1,850,000 hectares, including:

+ Areas subject to conditional exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 1,839,000 hectares, comprising: 13 areas for conditional exploitation and use for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 97,000 hectares; 39 areas for conditional exploitation and use for the protection of aquatic resources with an area of approximately 225,000 hectares; 13 areas for conditional exploitation and use as artificial habitats for aquatic species with an area of approximately 11,000 hectares; 30 areas for conditional exploitation and use subject to seasonal fishing bans with an area of approximately 631,000 hectares; and 71 other areas for conditional exploitation and use with an area of approximately 875,000 hectares.

+ Areas requiring special protection, with a total area of approximately 11,000 hectares, comprising: 08 areas requiring special protection for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 1,000 hectares; and 36 areas requiring special protection for important habitats with an area of more than 10,000 hectares.

- Areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources include:

+ Priority areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 266,000 hectares, comprising 13 areas prioritized for tourism development and 27 areas prioritized for port service development.

+ Potential areas requiring investigation and study for exploitation encouragement, including: potential areas requiring investigation and study for sand exploitation with an area of approximately 570,000 hectares, and potential areas requiring investigation and study for placer mineral exploitation with an area of approximately 493,000 hectares.

+ Areas encouraged for multi-purpose exploitation and use, with a total area of approximately 870,000 hectares.

c) Southeastern nearshore marine area

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is restricted has a total area of approximately 299,000 hectares, including:

+ Areas subject to conditional exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 297,000 hectares, comprising: 02 areas for conditional exploitation and use as artificial habitats for aquatic species with an area of approximately 2,000 hectares; 02 areas for conditional exploitation and use subject to seasonal fishing bans with an area of approximately 193,000 hectares; and 02 other areas for conditional exploitation and use with an area of approximately 102,000 hectares.

+ Areas requiring special protection, comprising 03 areas requiring special protection for important habitats with an area of more than 2,000 hectares.

- The area encouraged for exploitation and use of resources includes:

+ Priority areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 73,000 hectares, comprising 02 areas prioritized for tourism development and 02 areas prioritized for port service development.

+ Potential areas requiring investigation and study for exploitation encouragement, including: potential areas requiring investigation and study for sand exploitation with an area of approximately 72,000 hectares, and potential areas requiring investigation and study for placer mineral exploitation with an area of approximately 50,000 hectares.

+ Areas encouraged for multi-purpose exploitation and use, with a total area of approximately 76,000 hectares.

d) Southwestern nearshore marine area

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is prohibited has a total area of approximately 1,300 hectares, comprising 3 areas designated for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 1,000 hectares, and 4 areas designated as contingency zones with an area of approximately 300 hectares.

- The area where exploitation and use of resources is restricted has a total area of approximately 948,000 hectares, including:

+ Areas subject to conditional exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 854,000 hectares, comprising: 02 areas for conditional exploitation and use for marine conservation purposes with an area of approximately 4,000 hectares; 02 areas for conditional exploitation and use for the protection of aquatic resources with an area of approximately 67,000 hectares; 04 areas for conditional exploitation and use as artificial habitats for aquatic species with an area of approximately 3,000 hectares; 16 areas for conditional exploitation and use subject to seasonal fishing bans with an area of approximately 710,000 hectares; and 13 other areas for conditional exploitation and use with an area of approximately 70,000 hectares.

+ Areas requiring special protection, comprising 23 areas requiring special protection for important habitats with a total area of approximately 94,000 hectares.

- The area encouraged for exploitation and use of resources includes:

+ Priority areas encouraged for exploitation and use of resources, with a total area of approximately 369,000 hectares, comprising: 03 areas prioritized for tourism development; 08 areas prioritized for port service development with an area of approximately 361,000 hectares; and 28 areas prioritized for wind power development with an area of approximately 13,000 hectares.

+ Potential areas requiring investigation and study for exploitation encouragement, with an area of approximately 37,000 hectares, being potential areas requiring investigation and study for sand exploitation.

+ Areas encouraged for multi-purpose exploitation and use, with a total area of approximately 668,000 hectares.

IV. ORIENTATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DISASTER PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE

1. To prevent the risk of coastal resource and environmental degradation caused by the exploitation and use of resources and the impacts of natural disasters, climate change, and sea level rise.

a) To increase the area and improve regulations on the use of conservation zones, protected areas, and biodiversity corridors in the coastal zone under this Master Plan, in accordance with the Law on Biodiversity, the Law on Fisheries, and other relevant legal documents.

b) To thoroughly resolve conflicts in the use of nearshore marine areas between environmental protection and economic development, while ensuring national defense and security.

c) To improve regulations governing the operations of relevant sectors, in conformity with the provisions applicable to different types of coastal resource exploitation and use areas under this Master Plan.

d) To shift fisheries activities offshore and to develop offshore wind power in order to reduce exploitation and use pressure on the coastal zone.

dd) To strengthen coastal technical infrastructure in line with the zoning of coastal land areas, thereby enhancing resilience and response capacity to natural disasters, climate change, and sea level rise.

e) To formulate and implement integrated coastal zone resource management programs; and to delineate zones for coastal resource exploitation and use within regional and provincial planning frameworks.

2. To restore the coastal environment during and after resource exploitation and use.

a) To promptly address environmental incidents arising during the exploitation and use of coastal resources; to restore the environment and compensate for biodiversity loss, with priority given to areas designated for the protection and conservation of resources, aquatic resources, and for livelihood purposes.

b) To thoroughly address pollution hotspots in nearshore seawater, with particular attention to multi-purpose exploitation areas under high intensity of use.

c) To promptly and effectively restore important degraded or destroyed habitats, especially coral reefs and mangrove forests; endangered and threatened wildlife species; and rare, indigenous genetic resources of high economic value.

d) To restore coastal areas that have been exploited inappropriately, inconsistent with the functional zoning of areas designated for socio-economic development.

3. To integrate environmental protection and disaster prevention tasks with coastal resource exploitation and use.

a) To develop coastal economies in the direction of ecological, circular, and green growth; to promote sustainable production and consumption; to use clean, economical, and efficient energy; to develop coastal industrial zones and urban areas in an ecological, smart, and climate-resilient manner; and to encourage initiatives for blue economic development.

b) To ensure disaster prevention, search and rescue requirements, and the development of coastal infrastructure.

c) To effectively manage waste discharged into the sea, including plastic waste.

d) To proactively prevent and respond to environmental incidents caused by oil spills, leaks, and the release of toxic chemicals and waste during coastal resource exploitation and use.

dd) To incorporate environmental protection and disaster prevention requirements into regulations governing sectoral activities, in line with the provisions applicable to nearshore marine resource exploitation and use.

V. SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN

1. Solutions on management

a) To improve the legal framework governing the management, sustainable exploitation and use of coastal resources, environmental protection, marine area allocation, nature conservation, biodiversity, and response to climate change and sea level rise, in order to ensure a comprehensive legal basis for the implementation of the Master Plan; to review and amend the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, relevant laws, and related legal instruments.

b) To improve mechanisms and policies in the direction of administrative reform and enhanced decentralization and delegation of authority in the management, exploitation and use of seas and islands, ensuring the principles of transparency and public disclosure of planning information; to develop and issue specific mechanisms and policies suitable to each coastal zone as per the Plan; to detail incentive policies to attract domestic and foreign investors for the rapid development of prioritized development zones; to study the application of higher incentives than current policies for extremely difficult areas within zones designated for integrated economic development and national defense and security assurance.

c) To incorporate zoning for the exploitation and use of coastal resources into regional and provincial planning; to promote the formulation and implementation of integrated coastal zone management programs at local and interprovincial levels; to complete the demarcation and marking of coastal protection corridors in coastal provinces and centrally run cities in accordance with the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment.

d) To continue strengthening state management agencies, ensuring adequate authority and capacity to lead and coordinate with relevant central and local agencies; to establish mechanisms for inter-sectoral, inter-regional and inter-local coordination; to develop criteria and regulations for handling overlapping and conflicting areas in resource exploitation and use not yet determined in the Master Plan; and to specify management regulations applicable to each category of marine zone.

dd) To develop a marine and island database system; to establish mechanisms for cooperation and information sharing on marine exploitation and use among economic sectors and coastal localities.

e) To promote the development and application of economic instruments and policies in marine environmental management; to formulate coordination mechanisms among ministries and agencies in the establishment and operation of marine protected areas; and to adopt support policies enabling communities within marine protected areas to transition their livelihoods.

g) To encourage the development of ecological, green, and circular models in socio-economic development, such as ecological cities, green cities, smart cities, and green, circular industrial parks and economic zones, to reduce pollution and waste discharge into the marine environment.

2. Solutions on environment, science and technology

a) To promote digital transformation in the management, exploitation, and use of marine and coastal resources; by 2025, to complete and interconnect a centralized, unified national information system and database on marine and coastal resources and the environment, including planning data; to ensure public disclosure and transparency, enabling public and business access to information and data on planning and implementation plans.

b) To apply remote sensing technologies, integrated resource and environmental monitoring technologies, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in monitoring the implementation of the Master Plan; and in conducting investigations, assessments, forecasting, early warnings, disaster response, climate change and sea level rise adaptation, and coastal resource and environmental management.

c) To conduct scientific research and apply technologies in the restoration of degraded ecosystems; in the prevention and mitigation of coastal erosion, disaster and environmental incident prevention and control; and in the effective application of scientific advances in the management, investigation, observation, monitoring and supervision of marine biodiversity.

d) To establish and improve automated environmental monitoring stations at estuarine and coastal areas; to enhance research, development, and transfer of new, modern technologies for clean energy transition, efficient and economical energy use, and low greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Solutions on communication and awareness-raising

a) To enhance communication and dissemination of the Master Plan to all levels, sectors, political-social organizations, economic and professional entities, and coastal communities; to encourage stakeholder participation in the implementation and monitoring of the Master Plan, with particular attention to the engagement of vulnerable groups.

b) To improve awareness among coastal communities regarding the protection, exploitation and use of coastal resources, marine environmental protection, conservation of marine species and biodiversity; and to strengthen legal compliance and social responsibility in the protection of coastal and marine resources and the environment.

c) To diversify the forms, content and delivery methods of information on coastal planning and integrated management in line with target audiences; to increase dissemination of laws on resource protection, environmental protection and biodiversity, especially through mass media; to recognize and promote exemplary individuals and initiatives in marine environmental protection; and to combine traditional communication methods with technological applications tailored to target groups to ensure accurate, timely and effective information delivery.

4. Solutions on training and capacity building

a) To enhance the development of high-quality marine management human resources; to develop a contingent of experts in planning and integrated coastal and marine resource management; to formulate and implement training and professional development programs on the implementation of the Master Plan and integrated coastal resource management for marine management personnel from central to local levels.

b) To improve the effectiveness of career orientation activities at the upper secondary education level; to effectively implement policies on the socialization of education and attract investment in the development of schools and vocational training centers, ensuring vocational training for the workforce, particularly for coastal rural workers over the age of 30 who face employment challenges amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

c) To provide conditions and strengthen capacity for coordination in the enforcement of laws on marine planning and the protection of marine resources and the environment for environmental police, forest rangers, fisheries surveillance, customs, and border guards; and to mobilize the participation of the armed forces in marine resource and environmental management and protection.

d) To focus on training in fields related to marine planning and integrated management of marine resources and environment at universities and training institutions; to effectively implement vocational training to meet the demands of marine economic sectors and occupational transition for coastal populations.

dd) To establish support mechanisms and enhance training quality; to develop a network of marine human resource training institutions meeting advanced regional standards.

5. Solutions on finance and investment

a) To prioritize investment in key sectors, priority projects, and essential infrastructure with broad spillover effects; to improve the efficiency of budgeting and public investment management at all levels; to prioritize state budget resources for basic investigations and the development and completion of information systems and databases on marine and coastal areas. To allocate state budget resources in accordance with the principle that “public investment leads private investment,” serving as a catalyst to attract investment from non-state economic sectors and promote sustainable marine economic growth.

b) To continue promoting administrative procedure reform and improving the business investment environment; to focus on attracting the development of advantageous economic sectors in coastal areas; to reform and improve mechanisms for managing and developing the marine economy, including the pilot implementation of institutions and models of marine economic management and development with a high degree of international integration associated with major seaports and coastal urban centers to strongly attract investors, businesses and service providers operating in a centralized and collaborative manner.

c) To encourage the mobilization and diversification of investment forms and the efficient use of capital from all economic sectors in the implementation of the Master Plan, especially for poverty reduction, environmental pollution control and biodiversity conservation in the coastal zone; to increase mobilization of investment capital under the public-private partnership (PPP) model for major projects.

6. Solutions on international cooperation

a) To strengthen international cooperation in the implementation of the Master Plan, basic investigations, and the sustainable management and use of coastal resources; and to harness resource potential for marine economic development.

b) To continue expanding cooperation and mobilizing support from international and regional partners and organizations for the development of human resources, investment in coastal infrastructure, application of modern science and technology in marine economic sectors, environmental protection, disaster prevention and control, and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise.

Article 2. Implementation provisions

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall:

a) Assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and People’s Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to organize and inspect the implementation of the Master Plan; periodically conduct evaluations, reviews and revisions of the Master Plan in accordance with regulations; and publish the Master Plan as prescribed by the Planning Law.

b) Develop and manage the database system for the implementation of the Master Plan; provide planning information for integration into the national planning information and database system as prescribed.

c) Assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop implementation plans and propose necessary solutions to effectively and consistently implement the Master Plan; review and propose policies on integrated marine management and sustainable marine economic development.

d) Study and propose models, and consolidate the integrated marine management agency with sufficient capacity to lead the implementation of the Master Plan at both central and local levels.

dd) Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to allocate annual budgets; consolidate and submit to competent authorities the medium-term and annual public investment plans for implementation of the Master Plan.

2. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, within the scope of their functions, tasks and powers, shall coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People’s Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to allocate resources and propose mechanisms and policies to effectively implement the Master Plan’s objectives, ensuring consistency and alignment with other plans in the planning system and related strategies.

3. People’s Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities shall:

a) Assume the prime responsibility and coordinate with relevant agencies in managing, inspecting, and strictly monitoring the exploitation and use of coastal resources within their localities in accordance with the Master Plan.

b) Review and adjust provincial-level planning to ensure conformity with the Master Plan; complete the publication and boundary demarcation of coastal protection corridors; develop and implement integrated coastal resource management programs in accordance with regulations.

c) Submit to the People's Council of the same level the allocation of funds for the implementation of tasks under the Master Plan in accordance with the Law on the State Budget and the Law on Public Investment.

The list of priority programs, projects, and tasks for the implementation of the Master Plan during 2021-2030 is provided in Appendix I.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of its signing.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of governmental agencies, chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities, and relevant organizations shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister

TRAN HONG HA