Coast Guard Region 4 Combats IUU Fishing, Raising Fishermen’s Awareness
	Coordinating to Effectively Implement the Peak Campaign Against IUU Fishing

Major General Le Dinh Cuong, Commander of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, chaired the conference. Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, delivered the leadership resolution on implementing tasks for 2026.

According to the report presented at the conference, in 2025, amid continued complex developments in maritime areas, especially the urgent requirement to prevent and combat IUU fishing, the Viet Nam Coast Guard proactively grasped the situation, promptly advised the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence on appropriate guidelines and responses, and effectively handled situations, avoiding passivity or surprise.

Implementing the direction of the Government and the National Steering Committee on IUU prevention and control, the Party Committee and Command of the Viet Nam Coast Guard directed units to synchronously and resolutely deploy multiple measures of inspection, control, patrol and surveillance at sea. As a result, the entire force detected, inspected and detained 57 cases involving 65 fishing vessels committing serious IUU violations, making an important contribution to tightening legal discipline at sea, raising fishermen’s law compliance awareness, and supporting Viet Nam’s efforts to remove the European Commission’s “yellow card”.

Under authorization from higher-level leaders, Major General Le Dinh Cuong, Commander of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, presented the Ministry of National Defence’s Emulation Flag to collectives. (Photo: Viet Nam Coast Guard)

Alongside the IUU fight, in 2025 the Viet Nam Coast Guard deployed 615 ship sorties and 230 boat sorties, safely operating over 600,000 nautical miles in maritime areas; received and handled more than 300 reports; participated in 48 search and rescue missions, rescuing 99 people and 6 vehicles; and assisted the population in overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, storms and floods, drought, saltwater intrusion and forest fires.

In the fight against crime and legal violations at sea, the entire force detained, investigated and handled 1,536 cases involving 2,057 individuals, seizing more than 1.5 million liters of DO oil, over 20 kg of cannabis and many other exhibits; the total value of administrative fines and confiscated exhibits was estimated at about 77 billion dong.

At the same time, force building, logistics and technical support, and equipment modernization continued to receive attention. In 2025, the Viet Nam Coast Guard monitored, supervised and urged the completion of 8 basic construction projects; implemented projects to build new patrol ships and search and rescue vessels from multiple funding sources; and promoted research, initiatives, technical improvements and the application of information technology in management, command and operations.

Defence diplomacy and international cooperation remained a highlight, contributing to building peaceful, friendly seas of cooperation and development. The Viet Nam Coast Guard coordinated with the China Coast Guard to organize two joint anti-crime patrols; one joint patrol in waters adjacent to the delimitation line in the Gulf of Tonkin; expanded exchanges and joint training with coast guard forces of India, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia; and sent officers to participate in United Nations peacekeeping activities and work at the Information Fusion Centre (IFC).

Concluding the conference, Major General Le Dinh Cuong emphasized that 2026 is the first year of implementing Party Congress resolutions at all levels, opening a new era of national development. The entire Viet Nam Coast Guard force must continue to maintain unity, proactiveness and creativity, enhance research and forecasting capacity, and strictly and effectively carry out assigned tasks.

Major General Le Dinh Cuong affirmed that combating IUU fishing is a central, ongoing task throughout 2026, requiring units to continue synchronously and resolutely implementing patrol, control, inspection and enforcement measures, and strictly handling violations at sea. At the same time, close coordination with functional forces and coastal local authorities should be strengthened, contributing to maintaining legal discipline, protecting aquatic resources and national credibility, and meeting international integration requirements. Attention should be paid to closely grasping and effectively managing the political and ideological situation of officers and soldiers throughout the force. Programs on mass mobilization such as the Coast Guard accompanying fishermen and the Coast Guard with ethnic and religious communities should continue to be implemented with practical effectiveness.

Effective implementation of the project to organize the contest “I Love My Homeland’s Seas and Islands” nationwide in the 2024–2030 period and beyond should be ensured. Standards, facilities and logistics equipment must be guaranteed in accordance with regulations; the quality of troop health management should be improved. Repair, acceptance and handover of vessels and technical equipment for periodic and extraordinary maintenance should be organized. Preparations and organization of the third exchange program “Viet Nam Coast Guard and Friends” should be carried out well. Administrative reform should continue to be promoted, along with effective implementation of the E-Government development plan toward a digital government across the entire force.

Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai (right), Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, received the Third-class Fatherland Protection Order. (Photo: Viet Nam Coast Guard)

At the conference, under authorization from higher authorities, the Viet Nam Coast Guard announced and presented the Third-class Fatherland Protection Order to Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Viet Nam Coast Guard; and presented commendation decisions in the 2025 Determined to Win Emulation movement to outstanding collectives and individuals.

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