Khánh Hòa, April 21-22, 2026 - The Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), organized a series of national technical workshops titled “Solutions for Establishing and Effectively Managing Marine Protected Areas in Vietnam to 2030, with a Vision toward 2050” and “Review of the Implementation of the Marine Turtle Conservation Action Plan in Viet Nam for the 2016-2025 Period and Orientation for Solutions for 2026-2035.”

Participants in the workshop included representatives from agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; specialized research institutes and universities; leaders from provincial and municipal Departments of Agriculture and Environment, as well as sub-departments responsible for managing marine protected areas; management boards of marine protected areas (MPAs), nature reserves, and national parks; development cooperation organizations and non-governmental organizations operating in Vietnam; representatives of the Viet Nam Fisheries Society and the Viet Nam Tuna Association; local fisheries associations/community organizations in several provinces; and experts in fisheries, marine conservation, and marine biodiversity.

The workshop focused on assessing the implementation of the master plan for Viet Nam’s marine protected area (MPA) system until 2025 and the plan for the 2026-2030 period, identifying bottlenecks in policy implementation, and proposing feasible solutions in terms of institutions, management arrangements, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement in marine conservation and sea turtle conservation. The workshop also introduced the draft set of indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of MPA management in Viet Nam and sought feedback from participants.

Viet Nam’s marine and coastal areas play a vital role in the country’s economy, environment, and livelihoods. Home to rich biodiversity, these areas support key marine industries, provide livelihoods for around 20 million coastal residents, and strengthen resilience to climate change. However, growing pressures from overexploitation, environmental degradation, and climate risks are threatening these resources. In this context, MPAs are increasingly seen not only as conservation tools but as practical management solutions to sustain fisheries, protect ecosystems, and secure long-term development.

At present, Viet Nam has established seven marine protected areas (Bach Long Vy, Co To-Dao Tran, Ly Son, Con Co, Hon Cau, Ca Mau, and Phu Quoc), five marine areas managed within national parks and nature reserves (Cat Ba, Bai Tu Long, Nui Chua, Con Dao, and Cu Lao Cham). The total designated marine conservation area is approximately 215,191 hectares, accounting for about 0.215% of the country’s total marine area. In addition, seven marine sites are currently being proposed by local authorities for MPA establishment in accordance with fisheries legislation, including Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long, Cat Ba-Long Chau, Hon Ngu-Dao Mat, Quy Nhon Bay, Nha Trang Bay, and Phu Quy. It is expected that by the end of 2026, 14 out of 27 MPAs will have been established under the Master Plan for the Protection and Exploitation of Fisheries Resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Under Decision No. 1539/QĐ-TTg dated December 10, 2024, issued by the Prime Minister, Viet Nam has set a target for marine and coastal protected areas to cover at least 6% of the country’s total marine area by 2030. However, the current challenge lies not only in expanding coverage but also in ensuring adequate management resources, investing in infrastructure, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and establishing a unified system for monitoring and evaluating management effectiveness.

At the workshop, participants presented progress in implementing the master plan for the MPA system, shared local experiences in establishing and adjusting the boundaries of marine protected areas, and discussed international best practices in MPA management. They also exchanged views on key tasks and solutions to effectively implement marine conservation priorities for the 2026-2030 period under the Master Plan for the Protection and Exploitation of Fisheries Resources for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

The workshop also introduced a draft set of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of MPA management in Viet Nam, which is currently being finalized by the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, with technical support from UNDP. The indicator framework combines international methodological approaches, an ecosystem-based approach, and Viet Nam’s specific legal and management context. It comprises 24 indicators grouped into five categories, reflecting the key components of MPA management from governance and planning to resources, implementation processes, and the outcomes and impacts of marine conservation efforts.
In parallel, the workshop also discussed the role and participation of non-state actors in the management of marine protected areas. This requires substantial resources and diverse expertise, while state budgets remain limited. Engaging non-state organizations in MPA management in Viet Nam can help mobilize additional resources, enhance flexibility and innovation in governance, and reflect a broader trend toward the socialization of natural resource management. This approach is expected to improve management effectiveness and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

If implemented effectively, this would not only mark a significant step forward in state management of marine conservation but also provide a foundation for linking conservation with the sustainable development of the marine economy. It would support the restoration of marine resources, enhance the resilience of coastal and island areas, and secure long-term community livelihoods. In doing so, it would contribute to the broader goal of sustainable marine economic development as set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018, of the Party Central Committee on the “Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Viet Nam’s Marine Economy to 2030, with a Vision to 2045.”

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, stated: “Marine and coastal ecosystems are not only the foundation for maintaining biodiversity, but also serve as critical habitats and breeding grounds for many rare aquatic species. Conserving these ecosystems, through the effective development of a system of marine protected areas, is a key solution to protecting species, restoring resources, and ensuring the sustainable development of the marine economy in the long term.”

A thematic session on marine turtle conservation, co-chaired by the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance and IUCN, reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan for Marine Turtle Conservation for the 2016-2025 period, updated relevant research and activities, and discussed priorities for the 2026-2035 period.

In practice, marine turtle mortality rates in Viet Nam remain a cause for concern, mainly due to bycatch from fishing methods such as trawling, gillnets, and longlines, particularly in key areas such as Cu Lao Cham, Con Co, Ly Son, Nui Chua, and Con Dao. In addition, marine turtles continue to face pressures including habitat loss driven by tourism development, plastic pollution, and the impacts of climate change.

Alongside the crucial role of community participation in marine turtle conservation, initiatives such as the “Fisher Volunteer Network at Sea” (Tình nguyện viên ngư dân trên biển) and youth volunteer programs, implemented since 2014, have helped reduce bycatch and widely promote the message “Born to Live Wild” (Sinh ra để sống hoang dã). The effective combination of law enforcement, community engagement, and communication initiatives is a key factor in strengthening marine turtle conservation efforts in Viet Nam.

Media Inquiries:
Pham Thi Thuy Linh
Officer, Department of Fisheries Resources Protection and Development
Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance
Ministry of Agriculture and Environment
Email: linhptt83@gmail.com

Phan Huong Giang   
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change, Energy and Environment 
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org 
Mobile: 0948466688

Nguyen Thuy Anh
Senior Communications and Community Engagement Officer
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Email: thuyanh.nguyen@iucn.org