Fishing regulations in Vietnam

Licensing:

• saltwater-recreational — residents Fishing in Vietnam is governed by the Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14 and Decree 26/2019/ND-CP. The system is built around vessel licensing: any fishing vessel with a maximum length of 6 metres or more must hold a fishing licence, and inshore-vessel quotas are set by the provincial People’s Committee while offshore-vessel quotas are set by MARD. There is no separate national recreational angling licence; small-scale shore and small-boat (<6 m) angling is not vessel-licensed, but local and Marine Protected Area (MPA) rules may still apply. Confirm with the provincial fisheries sub-department before fishing., non-residents Visiting and foreign anglers are within the scope of the Law on Fisheries. Foreign organisations and individuals face additional restrictions and permitting for fishing in Vietnamese waters; recreational/sport access is normally arranged through a locally licensed operator or resort. Marine Protected Areas and many coastal zones have their own access rules. Always confirm requirements with the operator and the provincial fisheries authority (under MARD / the Directorate of Fisheries) before fishing.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only and are NOT a legal source. Vietnamese fishing is governed by the Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14 and Decree 26/2019/ND-CP (as amended): licensing is vessel-based (a licence is required for fishing vessels 6 metres or longer), inshore quotas are set by provincial People’s Committees and offshore quotas by MARD, and there is no separate national recreational bag/size table. Vietnam’s general minimum-catch-size rules were suspended in late 2025. All Group I endangered, precious and rare aquatic species — including marine mammals, sea turtles, sawfishes and listed sharks and rays — are strictly PROTECTED and may not be exploited. Marine Protected Areas and provincial rules can add further restrictions and change frequently. Always confirm current rules with the provincial fisheries authority (MARD / Directorate of Fisheries) before fishing.