US and Vietnam’s sea management agencies will sign a cooperation agreement in the next few days, said an official from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Mr. Ralph Dustin Cantral.

Cantral said the agreement between the NOAA and the Vietnamese General Department will cover bilateral cooperation in oceanic, fishery and environmental research. The US will also technically assist Vietnam to explore sea resources in the Tonkin Gulf.

During his five-day visit to Vietnam, Cantral visited HCM City and Can Tho before coming to Hanoi to meet with some specialist committees of the Vietnamese National Assembly to discuss building environmental and management policies.

He also met with the General Department for Sea and Islands to discuss the impact of climate change.

In its Sea Strategy for 2020, Viet Nam outlines aims to build a sea-based economy, with big coastal economic centres. By 2020, it’s hoped this sea-based economy will contribute up to 50 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

X.Linh