Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026 charts course for sustainable ocean development

The Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026 concluded in the capital with participants agreeing on a roadmap to strengthen the country's position as a major maritime nation in Southeast Asia. Discussions centred on mobilising financial and technical resources to support sustainable marine development, with speakers highlighting the critical role of science, technology and modern governance structures in maximising ocean-based growth.

International development partners stressed the importance of institutional reform and capacity-building as Vietnam seeks to expand its maritime industries responsibly. The forum brought together government officials, private sector representatives and international stakeholders to identify priority areas for cooperation and investment in marine sectors ranging from fisheries to shipping and renewable energy.

Participants also underscored the urgency of environmental protection measures and the need to preserve the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on marine resources. Speakers emphasised that sustainable ocean development requires balancing economic growth with ecosystem preservation and the social wellbeing of fishing communities and other groups reliant on the sea.

The forum concluded with calls for enhanced regional and international connectivity to facilitate knowledge transfer and investment flows. Officials indicated that Vietnam intends to leverage partnerships with regional and global actors to develop the institutional and regulatory frameworks necessary to transition toward a more resilient and sustainable maritime economy.