Khánh Hòa is a locality converging many outstanding advantages for marine economic development, such as geographical advantages, the special geostrategic position (geopolitics, geo-economics, and geomorphology chemical); the special importance of Trường Sa island district, Cam Ranh military port, and Vân Phong international deepwater transshipment port; where the concentration of research and training agencies of marine human resources, and one of the 5 fisheries centers of the country…

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Member of the 15th National Assembly, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, member of the Steering Committee of the Global Ocean Forum (GOF), with about 200 large and small coastal islands and Trườnng Sa atolls offshore in a sunny and windy climate, Khánh Hòa is assessed as the province with the highest marine conservation potential with Vietnam’s first Marine Protected Area (Nha Trang Bay) and Nam Yết marine protected area (Trường Sa island district) is farthest from the mainland. Coral reefs in the waters of Trườnng Sa island district are also the “common home” of thousands of marine species, providing nutrition, seed, and seafood resources for most of the East Sea, contributing to maintaining the sea sustainable fisheries not only of Khánh Hòa, of Vietnam but also of other countries in the region. In particular, along the coast of Cam Lâm district and Cam Ranh city, there is a sandy plain with a system of sand dunes (sandhills) formed by the wind, and fine white sand beaches (Bãi Dài…) creating a scene. The unique “wild, feral” coastal nature, and also “natural sand dykes” are to prevent sea-level rise due to climate change and ocean change. In addition, in Khánh Hòa’s sea, there are seaweed resources, coastal specialty beaches (blood cockles, oysters…), and large seafood resources, including tuna, coral reef fish…

Today, Khánh Hòa is continuing to deploy The resolution of the provincial Party first XVIII (tenure 2020 – 2025), resolution No. 36 on strategy development, sustainable economy to 2030, vision to the year 2045, and The resolution of the Party’s XIII. Accordingly, Khánh Hòa strives to become the economic hub of sea travel center, service of the country by 2025; comprehensive development on the field became a municipality directly under the Central government in the year 2030, and by the year 2045 become local modern development, the average income of the population belongs to the group of the province, city, the highest in the nation. Khánh Hòa also set a goal to become one of the economic centers, sea, modern industrial center, mounted with a seaport, with the leading sectors in terms of energy, shipbuilding, maritime transport services… of the region and the country. This is the right direction, vision, strategy that expresses a desire for the development of the Party and the people of the province of Khánh Hòa.

However, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, in order for Khánh Hòa to develop sustainably the marine economy, besides concretizing international lessons learned, major policies and solutions of the Party and Government, the regulation effectively planning, exploiting, using, managing natural resources and protecting the marine environment, in association with protecting and maintaining sovereignty and security of Vietnam’s seas and islands, is both a task and a group of necessary solutions that required attention in the near future. In particular, it is necessary to focus on rational use of coastal areas, islands, and coastal water bodies (lagoons, bays) in accordance with the natural nature and strengths of each type. Effective and sustainable marine economic development associated with ensuring security and defense at sea is not only for the sake of Khánh Hòa’s own development strategy, but also creates a driving force for development, promotes regional linkages as well as for the benefit of the whole country. 

Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Khánh Hòa Provincial People’s Council affirmed that currently, the value of marine and coastal economic sectors accounts for about 80% of GRDP in the area. This continues to affirm the correct direction and policy-making of the Central and the province in planning marine economic development, creating fundamental values ​​for sustainable development in the future.

VFM