Abstract:
This paper presents the basic information on the present status of ocean
observation and service in Vietnam with focus on the physical oceanography area. Study results
show that in recent years, ocean observations of Vietnam have been equipped with a series of
modern measured and analyzed instruments, especially at related offices of the Vietnam Academy of
Science and Technology (VAST) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE).
The remarkable progress was to carry out the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) program to observe
oceanographic conditions in nearshore region by VAST from 2013. Earlier, from 2009 the MONRE
carried out the program to establish a network of stations to observe waves and current
characteristics in nearshore region by high frequency radar technology. However, the current
status of ocean observations and services in Vietnam still has shortcomings in both manpower and
equipment and the observations are mostly focused in the nearshore region. Services on
oceanographic data are still less professional and public. For sustainable development of ocean
observations and service, it is necessary to promote international cooperation projects on
oceanography especially in the frame-work of IOC/WESTPAC cooperation.
