Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands:
An Example of Institutional Arrangement of
Cross-Sector Coordination in Vietnam
83 Nguyen Chi Thanh Str. Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Email: nchoi52@yahoo.com
Status of Sea and Island Management
 Vietnam is a maritime state: Maritime Index = 0,01
 Like other developing countries, the sea & island
management activities in Vietnam are overlapped and
fragmented by using sectoral coordination
 To overcome the obstacles, the Strategy of Vietnam’s Seas
towards 2020 has been approved by the Government in
2007, which required establishment of powerful
governmental organization of marine & island affairs
 And Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) has
been already formulated by the Prime Minister in March
2008 through integration of existing marine-based
institutions.
 The VASI is first and new agency in Vietnam responsible to
state management of seas and islands, including coasts.
VASI Function and Tasks
 Conducting the function
of integrated and unified
state management on
seas and islands;
 Carrying out public
services in the fields of
the VASI appointed by
the Government
VASI Mission and Major Tasks
 Develop the marine policies,
laws and legal documents and
submit them to the
Government for approval;
 Carry out basic surveys and
monitoring of marine
resources and environment;
 Carry out research in marine
and ocean sciences,
exploration on marine
resources and environment;
 Control of marine and island
environment and resources;
Mission and Major Tasks (2)
 Make coastal, marine and island use planning
and management;
 Undertake integrated coastal management (ICM)
and guide local levels in implementation of ICM;
 Implement international cooperation on of seas
and islands;
 Implement the international conventions relating
to the marine environment and resources;
 Warning and emergency responses of natural
and man-made hazards on the seas and coasts
VASI Organization Chart
Administrator
Deputy
Administrators
SUBORDINATE
ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS
Department of
International cooperation,
Sciences and Technology
Department of Planning
and Finance
NON-PROFIT TECHNICAL
UNITS
Research Institute
of Sea and Island
Management
Agency of Marine Resources
& Environment Survey and
Control
Administrative Office
Agency of Sea and Island
Use Management
Department of Personnel
Affairs
Centre of Marine Geology
and Mineral Resources
Centre of Marine
Hydrology
Centre of
Marine Mapping & Geodesy
Centre of Integrated
Coastal Management and
Planning
VASI Infrastructure
& Human Resources
- Marine Geology Lab.
- Marine Environment Lab.
- Marine Research Harbor in
Haiphong city
- Marine Survey and Sampling
Instruments
- Staff: 400 persons
Marine Geodesy Vessel
Marine Research Vessel

High-speed Boat
Major Programs, Projects & Activities
(VASI integrated coordination)
 National program on comprehensive surveys of marine





resources and environment toward 2015 (marine-based
institutions involved).
National program on international cooperation of seas and
islands toward 2020 (11 line ministries & sectors involved).
National project on ICM in Central Vietnam (14 coastal
provinces involved).
National project on marine database (marine-based
academic institutions participated).
National project on sea & island use planning toward 2020,
including coastal & marine function zoning and marine
space planning).
National projects on marine geodesy and minerals seeking
Major Programs,…(2)
 National project on marine policy and law: Law of




Marine Resources and Environment; and Governmental
Decree of Integrated Management of Marine Resources
and Environment are in process of preparation.
Other policy tools: tax, fine, permission, licence,…of
marine resources and environment utilization and
exploitation, including marine space use.
Controlling and patrolling sea & island -use and
environment.
Oil spill and unknown oil pollution response and
planning
Review of EIA, SEA reports of marine & island
development investments
Thank you very much!