Viet Nam
Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Recreational spearfishing is not specifically prohibited under national law and is practised along Vietnam's coast, but it is heavily restricted in practice. There is no spearfishing-specific statute; the activity is governed by the general Law on Fisheries 2017 (18/2017/QH14) and Decree 26/2019/ND-CP. Spearfishing is prohibited inside marine protected areas (MPAs), national parks, nature reserves and their strictly protected sub-zones (e.g. Hon Mun/Nha Trang Bay, Cu Lao Cham, Con Dao, Phu Quoc), and the use of 'destructive methods, means and fishing tackle' as well as banned substances, explosives, electricity and toxins is forbidden nationwide. Catching endangered/precious/rare aquatic species (turtles, marine mammals, many corals, giant clams, etc.) is banned. No recreational licence is generally required, but importing a speargun can be treated as importing a weapon at customs. Exact recreational catch/size limits and zone boundaries are not centrally published, so divers must check with local authorities.
Huling na-update Hunyo 15, 2026
Namamahalang balangkas
- §Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14 (2017, in force 1 January 2019)
- §Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP detailing implementation of the Law on Fisheries (2019)
- Kinakailangan ang lisensya
- Hindi kinakailangan
- Scuba
- Ipinagbabawal
- Mga Dayuhan
- Maligayang pagdating
Ang batas, verbatim
Mga legal na teksto
Ang eksaktong mga estatutoryo at regulatoryong probisyon na namamahala sa spearfishing dito, na-quote ayon sa nailathala, na may link sa bawat opisyal na pinagmulan.
Prohibited actions in fishing activities
Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14
Article 7. Prohibited actions in fishing activities 1. Destruction of aquatic resources, aquatic ecosystem, reproductive areas, areas where offspring live and residence of aquatic species. 2. Obstruction of natural migration patterns of aquatic species. 3. Encroachment of or damage to protected zones of aquatic resource and MPAs. 4. Catching of fishery products, aquaculture and construction and other activities that affect the habitats and aquatic resources in subdivisions under strict protection and subdivisions of ecological recovery of MPAs. 5. Illegal operation of fishing vessels and other watercrafts in subdivisions under strict protection of MPAs except for force majeure. 6. Illegal fishing, unreported fishing, unregulated fishing (hereinafter referred to as “illegal fishing”); purchase, sale, transport, storage, preliminary processing and processing of fishery products originating from illegal fishing, fishery products with impurities for commercial fraud purposes. 7. Use of banned substances or chemicals, toxins, explosives, electric impulses, electric currents, destructive methods, means and fishing tackle for extracting aquatic resources.
Marine protected areas (MPAs)
Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14
Article 15. MPAs 1. MPAs include national parks, nature reserves, species and habitat conservation areas and landscape protection zones. MPAs shall be classified in accordance with regulations of law on biodiversity. 2. Criteria for establishing nature reserves and landscape conservation areas shall comply with regulations of law on biodiversity. 3. Criteria for establishing a national park: a) Its marine ecosystem is significant to Vietnam and the world, is special or represents a natural ecoregion; b) The park is a regular or seasonal natural habitat of at least an aquatic species included in the list of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species that are entitled to prior protection or included in the group of aquatic species banned from extraction of the abovementioned list; c) It has special values to science and education; d) It has environmental landscapes, unique beauty of nature and ecotourism values.
Management and protection of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species
Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP detailing the Law on Fisheries
Article 7. List of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species ... 1. Endangered, precious and rare aquatic species are classified into 2 groups, including Group I and Group II. 4. The List of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species is provided in the Appendix II hereof. Article 8. Management and protection of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species 1. Species classified into Group I shall be caught to serve one of the following purposes: conservation, scientific research, creation of original breeds and international cooperation. 2. Species classified into Group II shall be caught to serve one of the following purposes: conservation, scientific research, creation of original breeds and international cooperation or satisfy the conditions specified in Section II Appendix II hereof. 3. Organizations and individuals catching endangered, precious and rare aquatic species for the purpose of conservation, scientific research, creation of original breeds or international cooperation shall obtain a written approval from the Directorate of Fisheries and submit reports on implementation results to the Directorate of Fisheries.
Kung kailan maaaring sumisid
Mga panahon at limitasyon sa oras
Mga sarado, bukas at limitadong panahon sa buong taon. Palaging kumpirmahin ang mga pagsasara na partikular sa isda nang lokal.
Walang naitalaang mga saradong panahon — i-verify nang lokal bago sumisid.
Pahintulot na mangisda
Lisensya
Ano ang kailangan mo para maaari sa tubig, magkano ang halaga nito, at kung paano makuha ito.
- Uri
- No general recreational fishing licence
- Halaga
- No national licence fee; some private fishing lakes charge a daily fee (reported ~VND 100,000 per rod).
- Bisa
- unknown
- Paano makuha
- No licence is required for recreational fishing in public waters. A written approval from the Directorate of Fisheries is required only to catch listed endangered/precious/rare species (conservation/research purposes).
- Awtoridad
- Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
Gear at teknik
Mga patakaran sa kagamitan
Anong kagamitan ang pinahintulutan, kung paano ito maaaring gamitin, at ang mga kondisyon na nakakabit dito.
Mga Paghihigpit
- Use of 'destructive methods, means and fishing tackle' for extracting aquatic resources is prohibited (Law on Fisheries Art. 7(7)); enforcement to spearguns is at authorities' discretion.
- Explosives, electric current/impulses, toxins and banned chemicals/substances are strictly prohibited nationwide (Art. 7(7)).
- Secondary sources report harpooning while using scuba diving equipment is not permitted.
- Importing a speargun may be treated as importing a weapon at Vietnamese customs and should be declared; weapons import is restricted.
Vietnamese law contains no explicit speargun-specific provision. The legality of speargun use hinges on location (banned in all MPAs/national parks) and the general ban on 'destructive' gear and methods. Customs treatment of spearguns as weapons is the most concrete practical constraint for travellers.
Ano ang maaaring kunin
Mga limitasyon sa huli at mga protektadong isda
Mga araw-araw na quota, pinakamaliit na sukat, at mga isdang hindi dapat kunin.
Araw-araw na limitasyon
unknown
Mga protektadong isda — huwag kunin
- ProtektadoEndangered, precious and rare aquatic species Group I and Group II per Decree 26/2019/ND-CP Appendix II (186 species; 126 in Group I banned from commercial exploitation)
- ProtektadoAll marine mammal species in Vietnamese waters (Group I)
- ProtektadoMarine turtles
- ProtektadoCITES Appendix-listed aquatic species
No publicly consolidated recreational daily bag or minimum-size table was located. Catching any Group I endangered/precious/rare species is prohibited except by written approval from the Directorate of Fisheries (Decree 26/2019 Art. 8). Corals, giant clams, seahorses and similar reef organisms are commonly listed and must not be taken.
Sino ang maaaring mangisda
Mga bisita at residente
Kung paano naiiba ang mga patakaran para sa mga dayuhang bisita at lokal na residente.
Mga dayuhang bisita
PinahintulutanMga Kinakailangan
- Comply with the same Law on Fisheries / Decree 26 rules as residents.
- Declare spearfishing/diving equipment at customs; a speargun may be classed as a weapon.
Mga Paghihigpit
- No spearfishing inside MPAs, national parks or nature reserves.
- The Law on Fisheries applies to foreign individuals engaged in fishery in Vietnam's land, islands, archipelago and sea.
Foreigners are not specifically barred from recreational spearfishing in open, non-protected coastal waters, but the same prohibitions and the customs weapons concern apply. Local guidance is strongly advised.
Mga residente
No general recreational licence
Mga Kinakailangan
- Comply with Law on Fisheries 2017 and Decree 26/2019/ND-CP.
- Do not fish in MPAs / strictly protected zones or take protected species.
Same baseline rules as foreigners; traditional/subsistence coastal fishing exists but commercial capture is licensed separately under the Law on Fisheries.
Saan sa baybayin
Mga pinahintulutan at ipinagbabawal na zone
Mga pinangalanang lugar na bukas o sarado para sa spearfishing. Tingnan ang buong larawan sa interactive na mapa.
Mga ipinagbabawal na lugar
- Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (Nha Trang Bay)marine protected area
Vietnam's first marine conservation area, in Nha Trang Bay, with a strictly protected core zone where fishing/extraction is not allowed. As an MPA, spearfishing is prohibited under Law on Fisheries Art. 7(3)(4).
- Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands) MPA / UNESCO Biosphere Reservemarine protected area / biosphere reserve
Marine protected area and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve (designated 2009) off Hoi An, established for biodiversity protection. Spearfishing is prohibited as an MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7.
- Con Dao National Park (Con Dao Archipelago)national park / marine protected area
National marine park and one of Vietnam's most important sites for marine and coastal biodiversity (sea turtles, dugongs, coral). Fishing/extraction in the marine national park is prohibited; spearfishing not allowed under Law on Fisheries Art. 7.
- Phu Quoc Marine Protected Areamarine protected area
Marine protected area around Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang). Spearfishing is reported as illegal/prohibited here; a local tour operator discontinued spearfishing trips after guides were found targeting reef fish in MPA reef areas.
- Bach Long Vi National Marine Protected Areamarine protected area
Vietnam's first national-decision marine protected area, on Bach Long Vi island in the Gulf of Tonkin (Hai Phong), established by Prime Minister's decision (operational from 2013). Covers ~27,000 ha divided into strictly protected, ecological-recovery, development and buffer zones. As an MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7(3)(4), fishing/extraction in the strictly protected sub-zone is prohibited, so spearfishing is not allowed.
- Con Co Island Marine Reserve (Quang Tri)marine protected area
Marine reserve around Con Co island off Quang Tri province, established by Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee Decision No. 2090 (14 Oct 2009), operational 21 April 2010. Covers ~4,532 ha with a 534 ha strictly protected sub-zone, 1,392 ha ecological-recovery sub-zone and a development sub-zone. As an MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7, fishing/extraction is prohibited in the protected zones, so spearfishing is not allowed.
- Ly Son Marine Protected Area (Quang Ngai)marine protected area
One of Vietnam's designated marine protected areas, around Ly Son island off Quang Ngai province (supports ~1,706 ha of coral reefs and ~116 ha of seagrass; managed by the Ly Son MPA Management Board). As an operating MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7(3)(4), fishing/extraction in its strictly protected sub-zone is prohibited, so spearfishing is not allowed.
- Bai Tu Long National Park (marine zone)national park / marine protected area
National park in Van Don, Quang Ninh province (Bai Tu Long Bay), established 2001, covering 157.83 km2 including ~96.58 km2 of marine waters. As a national park / MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7, fishing/extraction is prohibited in protected zones, so spearfishing is not allowed.
- Nui Chua National Park (marine zone, Ninh Thuan)national park / marine protected area
National park and UNESCO biosphere reserve on the South Central Coast in Ninh Thuan province with a significant marine component (coral reefs, sea-turtle nesting; abuts a protected marine area of ~7,352 ha). As a national park / MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7, fishing/extraction is prohibited in protected zones, so spearfishing is not allowed.
- Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (Binh Thuan)marine protected area
Marine protected area off Binh Thuan province (Cu Lao Cau island, Tuy Phong district, in/near Ca Na bay ~10 km offshore), covering ~12,500 ha (125 km2) with diverse coral reefs and sea turtles. As an MPA under Law on Fisheries Art. 7(3)(4), fishing/extraction in its strictly protected sub-zone is prohibited, so spearfishing is not allowed. (Some sources describe it as a proposed/established MPA; treat boundaries as approximate.)
Mga kondisyon sa tubig
Mga live na kondisyon
Live na marine at weather snapshot malapit sa coastal na reference point sa Viet Nam, mula sa Open-Meteo. Nag-iiba ang mga kondisyon sa buong baybayin — ituring bilang indikatibo.
Live na marine at weather malapit sa Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (Nha Trang Bay).
Sino ang dapat tanungin
Mga Awtoridad
Ang mga opisyal na katawan na responsable para sa mga isda at pagpapalisensya.
Directorate of Fisheries (Tong cuc Thuy san), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
fisheries authority
mard.gov.vnunknownMarine protected area management boards (e.g. Hon Mun MPA, Cu Lao Cham MPA, Con Dao National Park)
marine protected area authority
unknown
Saan nagmumula ang impormasyon
Mga Pinagmulan
Bawat pahayag sa pahinang ito ay nagmumula sa isa sa mga sangguniang ito.
- [01]
Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14 (English) – FAO FAOLEX full text PDF
Opisyalfaolex.fao.orgNa-access Hun 15 - [02]
Law on Fisheries (18/2017/QH14) record – ECOLEX
Opisyalecolex.orgNa-access Hun 15 - [03]
Decree No. 26/2019/ND-CP detailing the Law on Fisheries (English) – VASEP PDF
Opisyalseafood.vasep.com.vnNa-access Hun 15 - [04]
Spearfishing is illegal in Marine Protected Areas and so is Phu Quoc – OnBird
communityonbird.vnNa-access Hun 15 - [05]
Spearfishing Rules Worldwide – Vietnam entry – harpune.info
Pangalawaharpune.infoNa-access Hun 15 - [06]
Hon Mun Island marine conservation area – Vinpearl
Pangalawavinpearl.comNa-access Hun 15 - [07]
Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham) travel guide – Hoi An Day Trip
Pangalawahoiandaytrip.comNa-access Hun 15 - [08]
Vietnam National Parks (incl. Con Dao) – Indochina Travel
Pangalawaindochinatravel.comNa-access Hun 15 - [09]
Vietnam conservation regulations / Decree 26 species groups – Mongabay
Pangalawanews.mongabay.comNa-access Hun 15
Mga tala ng mananaliksik
Vietnam has no spearfishing-specific law; legality is inferred from the Law on Fisheries 2017 and Decree 26/2019. Spearfishing is practised in open coastal waters but is prohibited in all MPAs, national parks and nature reserves and where 'destructive' gear/methods are used. Verbatim provisions captured (Law Art. 7, 15; Decree 26 Art. 7-8) are official FAO/government English translations. Specific recreational catch/size limits, closed seasons and precise MPA no-take boundary coordinates were not found in centrally published official form; zone coordinates given are approximate island/bay centroids from secondary sources, not legal boundaries. The customs treatment of spearguns as weapons is a notable practical risk for travellers. Confidence is medium: primary legal texts are solid, but recreational-specific detail relies on secondary tourism/dive sources. fishinginvietnam.com pages (which discuss spearfishing spots and the no-recreational-licence rule and ~VND 100,000/rod lake fees) returned HTTP 403 to direct fetch; their key facts are reflected from search summaries only.
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