Vietnam and the UK launch initiative to enhance coastal resilience

Overview of the launch ceremony of the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transformation (COAST) Program. (Photo: British Embassy in Hanoi)

COAST Vietnam is a 5-year initiative with a total budget of £18.19 million, including £17.5 million funded by the UK's Blue Planet Fund and £0.69 million in counterpart funding from the Vietnamese government.

The Program is being implemented as the two countries elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2025.

More from WVR
High-Level Conference strengthens Vietnam-UK cooperation in developing modern financial services

COAST is designed to support vulnerable coastal communities by providing in-depth technical assistance, flexible grants, and fostering long-term partnerships. The Program focuses on strengthening governance systems, promoting sustainable coastal management, and enhancing livelihoods and adaptive capacity of the population.

Currently, Vietnam is one of the four priority countries for the Program. With a coastline stretching 3.260 km and an exclusive economic zone of over 417.000 km², marine ecosystems play a crucial role in food security and economic development.

However, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation are exerting significant pressure on these ecosystems. COAST Vietnam aims to support ecosystem restoration, improve livelihoods, and enhance governance efficiency in coastal areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien affirmed that the program demonstrates a shared commitment to protecting coastlines, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable marine economic development.

Mr. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam, also emphasized that COAST connects national-level directives, local initiatives, and global experiences to support Vietnam in adapting more effectively to climate change.

Delegates participating in the launch ceremony of the Program. (Photo: British Embassy in Hanoi)

COAST Vietnam is aligned with Vietnam's major strategies such as the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030, the National Climate Change Strategy, the Green Growth Strategy, and marine spatial planning.

The Program aims to achieve four main directions: conserving and restoring marine ecosystems; enhancing the resilience of coastal aquaculture; promoting sustainable livelihoods; and strengthening policy implementation capacity at central and local levels.

The initial phase involves eight localities: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, An Giang, and Ca Mau. The Program will be implemented through technical support, flexible funding, and long-term collaboration between domestic and international partners.

Ms. Ingrid Kelling, Director of the COAST Facility Program, stated: “We look forward to working alongside partners in Vietnam to bring tangible impacts to coastal communities and ecosystems.”

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the University of Oxford, calls for a new, practical, measurable cooperation model WVR - In a policy speech at the University of Oxford, UK, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the necessity for a new, practical, and measurable ...

Vietnam-UK adopt Joint Declaration on elevation of bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership WVR - Vietnam and the United Kingdom issued a Joint Statement announcing the elevation of Vietnam–UK relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following the talks ...

General Secretary To Lam attends Vietnam-UK Business Forum in London WVR - On the morning of October 30, in London, the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United ...

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highlights five key achievements and four important directions for Vietnam-UK relations WVR - Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung outlined five key achievements and four new directions for Vietnam-UK relations following the official visit of General Secretary ...

Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang attends the celebration of 77th birthday of King Charles III On the evening of 13 November, the British Embassy in Vietnam solemnly hosted a reception at the Hanoi Opera House to celebrate the 77th birthday ...