This year's theme, "Viet Nam will become more prosperous and stronger from the sea", highlighted the crucial role of sea resources to the country's economic development and national defence, said director of the ministry's Viet Nam Administration of Sea and Islands Nguyen Van Cu.
Among a series of events will be a parade to commemorate the World Environment Day and the World Oceans Day, a televised ocean-themed ceremony and art performance, the fourth sea brand forum under the theme "Economic opportunities and eco-systems of Viet Nam's islands and archipelagos" and the third Viet Nam marine economic forum.
The biennial award, "The homeland's blue sea", will be held this year to honour individuals and organisations that have demonstrated great efforts in protecting the resources and environment of the country's seas and islands.
Viet Nam is among several countries on the East Sea, a strategic position of regional and international importance. Its sea area is three times bigger than the land area, with more than 3,000 islands including the particularly resource-rich Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.