INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Vice Directors: Assoc Prof. Dr. Pham Duc Thinh, senior researcher
                          Dr. Ho Van The, senior researcher
                          Dr. Hoang Xuan Ben, principal researcher
                          Dr. Huynh Hoang Nhu Khanh, principal researcher
                          Dr. Nguyen Duy Nhut, principal researcher

- To organize and conduct basic and applied scientific research projects and activities in oceanography, material technology, biochemistry and chemical technology, biology and biotechnology, management and rational use of resources, sustainable aquaculture, post-harvest technology, physics and applied informatics, remote sensing; prediction of ocean processes, and investigation for coastal and marine engineering design, ecosystem and resource restoration technology, biodiversity conservation and other related fields;
- Carrying out marine scientific and consulting services, transfering marine technology; Commercialization of scientific research results; Marine toxins, toxic subtances and food safety testing; Organizing national and international  marine scientific conferences, workshop and training; Education, training and development of human resources in oceanography and other related fields;
- Activities of the Museum of Oceanography: Collecting marine living and non-living samples, marine specimen collections building, expertizing, management and display; Consultation and transfer of oceanographic museum techniques; Study to  reproduce marine species; To serve and guide the museum visitors; Raising public awareness of marine biodiversity, natural resources protection, sea and island sovereignty protection,
- To cooperate and collaborate with individuals, inland and international organizations in oceanography and other related fields.

With its long-term operation and development, the Institute of Oceanography (IO) is among the leading institutions in marine science and technology research and training in Vietnam as well as the region. The large number of fundamental and applied science research projects it has carried out, with high scientific and practical values, have made great contribution to the protection of marine environment, resources and national sovereignty, the reasonable exploitation and use of marine resources, and the development of oceanographic museum. Throughout the Institute's development, its fundamental research results have provided basic scientific data on the natural conditions, oceanographic processes, ecosystems, environmental status, biota and resources in the East Sea, where its applied research results transferred to localities and businesses have practical contribution to the sustainable development of marine economy, and management of marine environment and resources. All its scientific activities have contributed to the understanding of principle  marine processes in Vietnamese waters in particularly and the East Sea in general, promoted the marine education, international  cooperation and integration
Up to now, around 2,000 research works, more than 110 monographs have been published by IO’s scientists, together with 02 utility solution patents and 01 technical advance.
As a prestigious oceanographic postgraduate education unit in Vietnam, IO offers postgraduate programs in oceanography and related marine sciences. 30 PhDs and around 100 Masters have been successfully defended their theses here.
The Museum of Oceanography is a famous and reliable address for marine scientific research as well as touring and discovering the marine world in Vietnam, the Vietnamese leading museum in introducing Vietnam marine environment and resources to its people and international friends. It attracts more than 800,000 visitors annually.
Awards
• First class Labor Medal in 1997
• Third class Independence Medal in 2002
• Second class Independence Medal in 2007
• First class Independence Medal in 2012
- First class Labor Medal (2nd time) in 2022

Institute of Oceanography panorama. Source: Institute of Oceanography

IO’s staff and employees, January 2025. Source: Institute of Oceanography

Museum of Oceanography. Source: Institute of Oceanography