Vietnam and its sea: what it gives the country and what it threatens

All of Vietnam's life stretches along the sea: 3,260 kilometres of coast, thousands of islands and the warm East Sea that feeds, heals and draws in tourists. For Vietnam the sea is wallet, kitchen and resort all at once. But this closeness has a flip side too. In simple terms, here's what the sea gives the country and what it threatens it with.

A country turned towards the sea

Vietnam is almost entirely turned to face the sea: its coastline runs for 3,260 kilometres, and to the east the country is washed by the South China (East) Sea. Tens of millions of people live by the water and, one way or another, live off it.

It's no accident that the coastal provinces produce around half of the country's GDP, and the 'marine economy' itself about a fifth. Here the sea isn't a backdrop but the engine of the whole country.

The sea feeds: fish and seafood

The main thing the sea gives is food. More than two thousand species of fish have been found in Vietnam's waters, and the country catches around 2.3 million tonnes of fish a year. Fishing villages and ports line the entire coast.

By the value of its seafood exports, Vietnam is third in the world, after China and Norway. Shrimp, fish, squid and crab travel from here to tables all over the world and bring the country billions of dollars.

Sea farms

Fish aren't only caught but also farmed. Along the shores spread sea farms: fish cages, mussel and oyster plantations, fields of seaweed. In the bays of Nha Trang and Cam Ranh such farms are visible right from the water.

Aquaculture feeds millions of coastal residents and is growing fast. It's no longer just a trade but a whole industry that insures the country when wild fish grow scarce.

Riches from the seabed: oil, gas and salt

Beneath the seabed off Vietnam's coast lie deposits of oil and gas. They're extracted on the shelf — for example by the joint venture Vietsovpetro near Vung Tau. Gas and oil give the country energy and budget revenue.

And in the shallows by the shore, salt has been evaporated from seawater for centuries: white salt fields are a familiar coastal landscape. So the very same sea provides both fuel and food for every table.

Beaches and marine tourism

The sea made Vietnam a beach country. Khanh Hoa province with Nha Trang alone has around 490 kilometres of coast, more than two hundred islands and the famous bays of Van Phong, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh and Vinh Hy.

Tourists come here precisely for the sea: Nha Trang alone welcomed more than four million guests in 2023. Beaches, islands, diving and seafood cuisine are the main reason Vietnam is known around the world.

The underwater world: the corals of Nha Trang

A vivid underwater world hides off Vietnam's shores. Nha Trang's main pride is the coral reef off Hon Mun Island, a marine reserve where people go to snorkel and dive. Hundreds of species of fish, coral and molluscs live here.

Reefs aren't only beauty for tourists, but also a 'nursery' for fish and a natural breakwater that protects the shore. That's why their health matters for all coastal life.

Ports and sea gates

Its long shore also made Vietnam the region's sea gateway. Major ports work along the coast, through which almost all the country's foreign trade passes — from electronics to rice.

Deep bays like Cam Ranh and Van Phong are convenient for big ships, and the closeness to world sea routes makes Vietnam an important point on the map of Asian logistics.

The flip side: typhoons and storms

Life by the sea has its price. Every year typhoons and powerful storms reach Vietnam's coast, especially the centre and north. They break boats, destroy piers and flood coastal settlements.

For fishermen this is a direct risk: a single storm can wipe out a catch, equipment and livelihood. So life on the coast is always checked against the weather forecast and the typhoon season.

The flip side: erosion, overfishing and rubbish

The sea doesn't only give, but also takes. The shore is gradually washing away, and in places beaches and fields literally go under water. Construction, dams and farms by the water often speed up this erosion.

Overfishing and pollution add to it: in some areas fish have noticeably dwindled, and plastic rubbish reaches even the most beautiful bays. For the sea to keep feeding people, it has to be looked after.

Reefs under threat and the advancing sea

The most worrying news is the state of the reefs. Because of warming water, tourism and pollution, corals in Vietnam are dying: in inhabited areas more than a third of the cover has been lost, and in some spots of Nha Trang Bay almost all of it. That hits both the fish and the diving.

On top of that, the sea level is slowly rising, threatening the low-lying deltas. Authorities and reserves are trying to save the reefs and the shore — closing zones to recover, limiting fishing and building. The future of the whole coast depends on whether they succeed.

What it means for a visitor to Nha Trang

Arriving in Nha Trang, you see the sea at its best: beaches, islands, corals and fresh seafood. But now you also know its real role — it's the foundation of a whole country's life, one that matters to protect.

And if you'd like to delight a loved one, partner or friend right here by the sea — we'll deliver a fresh bouquet or helium balloons to a hotel, villa or office the same day. Message us on WhatsApp, Telegram or KakaoTalk.