Sea and island tourism helps visitors discover Vietnam's history and culture, and contributes to localities' socio-economic development. It also claims sovereignty over Vietnam's sea and islands, inspires a love of the sea and islands, and national pride of all people.

With 3,260 kilometres of coastline, 2,773 islands, Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, and hundreds of beautiful beaches, Vietnam is in a great position to develop sea and island tourism.

Destinations like Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Cu Lao Cham, Ly Son, Quan Lan, Bach Long Vi and Co To islands, together with beautiful bays and beaches, including Ha Long, Sam Son, Cua Tung, Lang Co, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and Vung Tau, are popular with travellers.

According to Luong Duy Ngan, Deputy Chairman of the UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club, sea and island tourism is a key focus of travel agencies nationwide. Sea and island tours currently account for 40 percent of all tours.

Recently, Vietravel Company launched a tour to Con Dao, one of the 10 most attractive islands in the world, with a direct flight every Friday.

Many travel agencies plan to start tours to Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagoes. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is working to complete a project on developing sea, island and coastal area tourism for 2020. The project will establish specific plans, including one to develop tours to Truong Sa archipelago that will bestow Vietnamese people with a love of the country, national sea and islands.

Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Director of Hanoi Red Tour Joint Stock Company, said that exploiting the potential of sea and island tourism is a most effective measure to affirm sovereignty over the land and waters.