Competent authorities
Viet Nam National Committee for Search and Rescue (VINASARCOM)
IMO focal point
Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration (VIMAWA)
GI SEA focal point
VIMAWA
National Southern Oil Spill Response Center (NASOS)
International conventions status
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I/II)
OPRC 1990
OPRC-HNS 2000
CLC 1992
FUND 1992
Supp Fund 2003
LLMC 1996
HNS Protocol 2010
BUNKER 2001
Nairobi WRC 2007
National framework overview
National Plan
Provincial OSCPs
Incident Management System
Dispersant Policy
NEBA / SIMA
In-Situ Burning
Sensitivity Mapping
Offshore Response Plan
Shoreline Response Plan
Oiled Wildlife Plan
Waste Management Plan
Vietnam’s oil spill response capability is regionally decentralised, supported by three regional centres:
- Northern OSRC (NOSRCEN)
- Central OSRC (MORCEN)
- Southern OSRC (NASOS)
Each centre maintains response equipment and is required to conduct annual training and exercises.
A new National Oil Spill Response Plan is currently under development, intended to provide greater operational detail beyond the existing high‑level regulation. While the plan is not yet formally endorsed, Viet Nam’s regional response centres are active, equipped, and regularly conducting training and exercises. National‑level response is typically activated only for major or transboundary incidents, reflecting the country’s decentralised operational model.
MoNRE approval is mandatory for all dispersant use. A national list of approved dispersants is drafted and pending promulgation. Waste management will be coordinated by MoNRE.
Regulatory framework
- Prime Minister Decision No. 02/2013/QD‑TTg – Core regulation governing oil spill preparedness, response tiers, and responsibilities.
- Law on Environmental Protection (No. 55/2014/QH13) – Environmental management, damage assessment, and remediation.
- Vietnam Maritime Code (2015) – Maritime safety, pollution prevention, and vessel obligations.
- Decree No. 95/2010/ND‑CP – Foreign search and rescue cooperation and assistance.
- Decree No. 03/2015/ND‑CP – Determination of environmental damages.
- VINASARCOM Letter No. 69/CV‑UB (2009) – Guidance on OSCP development and sensitivity mapping.
- Circular 2262/TT‑MTg (1995) – Environmental rehabilitation following oil spills.
Regional / Subregional cooperation
- Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN MoU)
- Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan under the Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN ROSCP)
- The Joint Statement on Partnership in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in the Gulf of Thailand
- Memorandum of Agreement on Cooperation in Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (Philippines-Vietnam)
A joint partnership between the IMO and Ipieca
Supported by our industry members
