- To obtain fundamental insights into the morphological characteristics, biodiversity, and current ecosystem status at shoals, reefs, and offshore islands in the southern waters of Vietnam
- To assess the biodiversity of the benthic community in deep-water regions of southern Vietnam.

- Research: a) Among the 10 study areas with shoals and reefs, coral reefs are present in 9 locations, including Bai Can Lon, Bai Can Thuy Trieu, Phan Rang Bay, Breda Shoal, Hollandias Reef, De Britto, De L’Astrolabe, Bishop, and Catwick, with a total area of approximately 17,257 hectares (1.2 times the size of coastal and island reefs). However, coral reefs do not exist in the cluster of shoals in the southern area of Mui La Gan (Pecheurs, Banc Amazons, Duchaffaut, and Bourayne). 
b) With 713 taxa from 392 genera, 207 families, 86 orders, and 19 classes across 7 major groups associating with coral reefs recorded indicate that coral reef ecosystems at shoals and reefs on the continental shelf in southern Vietnam, from Khanh Hoa to Ba Ria Vung Tau, support relatively low diversity of marine fauna, with substantial differences in species composition between submberged banks and shoals, and offshore island reefs. Coral reefs at these submerged banks and shoals are severely degraded with low cover of live corals and very high cover of large macroalgae, and extremely low densities of valuable reef fishes and macro-invertabrate resources which are contributed to reduce diversity of fauna at these reefs. The areas still maintaining high diversity, live coral cover, and density of valuable resources are De Britto, De L’Astrolabe, Bishop, and Con Dao islands.
c) New coral recruitment on offshore shoals, reefs, and islands mainly consists of the genera Acropora, Favites, Favia, Platygyra, Porites, Sinularia, and Sarcophyton. However, only 5 of 16 butterflyfish species are being recruited. The recruitment rate of juvenile corals and butterflyfishes is much lower compared to coastal and island reefs. Recruitment rates are higher at Bai Can Thuy Trieu, Phan Rang Bay, Breda Shoal, and Con Dao compared to Hollandias, De Britto, De L’Astrolabe, and Bishop. 
d) The recorded 37 taxa from 28 families of three groups (crustaceans, mollusks, and polychaetes) at 8 sampling stations reveal that the benthic soft-bottom fauna in deep waters offshore from Ninh Thuan to Con Dao is less diverse than in the northern area (Quang Ninh-Quang Ngai). Species diversity declines with depth, with the highest diversity at depths <100 m (22 taxa), followed by 100-200 m (18), and the lowest at >200 m (4). The crustacean Metapenaeopsis sp. (family Penaeidae) is widely distributed at depths of 84-265 m. Crustaceans dominate in terms of individual abundance at all sampling points (≥ 93% of total benthic individuals). 
e) The CaCO3 content, porosity, and compressive strength of massive Porites coral are not significantly different across sampling reef sites, except for crystallinity. However, clear differences in CaCO3 content, porosity, and crystallinity are evident across cross-sections within each site and between different sampling sites, except for compressive strength. This indicates no spatial variation in CaCO3 content, porosity, and compressive strength of massive Porites corals, but significant temporal variation between years.
- Application: This survey has collected extensive samples and data on the biodiversity of coral reefs at shoals, reefs, and offshore islands, along with deep-water soft-bottom habitats in southern Vietnam, contributing to a fuller understanding of biodiversity in the South China Sea, especially the previously unexplored biodiversity of shoals and reefs. The use of modern sampling and analysis techniques (eDNA/DNA metabarcoding) enriches biodiversity values and improves taxonomic accuracy for specific biological groups, particularly sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, and reef fish. Additionally, the findings from shoal and reef assessments within this project can be considered as the first studies on biodiversity and biological resources of shoals and reefs in Vietnam, providing a scientific basis for conservation planning and sustainable resource management in these areas in the future. The project has provided 45 benthic samples (polychaetes, mollusks, and crustaceans) from deep-sea areas for the Oceanographic Museum to aid in creation, display, and scientific research.
- Education and training: Through the project’s collaborative efforts and the overall mission, relations with the Russian Federation, especially with specialized research institutions in biochemistry and marine biology, have been strengthened. During the exchange visit from August 22-31, 2024, in Russia as part of the project, Russian expert Dr. Marina Malyutina (National Scientific Center for Marine Biology A.V. Zhirmunsky) jointly analyzed and corrected the scientific names of 5 out of 8 taxa from samples collected from dead corals in the 7^th and 8^th “Academik Oparin” expeditions, initially misidentified by Vietnamese experts. Additionally, Russian experts provided training in taxonomy of the Isopoda order for young researchers from the Institute of Oceanography (Ms. Nguyen Le Thao My). This will contribute to the development of a skilled workforce for crustacean taxonomy at the Institute of Oceanography. 
- Cooperation: Through the scientific exchange trip to Russia, the project leader of the project reached an agreement with Dr. Marina Malyutina to share analytical data on crustacean samples in dead corals and to collaborate on publishing at least one joint article in a prestigious international journal, with the working title “Species composition and spatial distribution of crustaceans in dead corals in coral reefs in Vietnam”. This will help enhance future international publication collaboration.

This is likely the first study in Vietnam to apply both conventional and advanced methods (eDNA) to study and assess coral reef biodiversity and resources at shoals and reefs, contributing to a fundamental understanding of the roles and values of these shoals and reefs. The results provide initial resources for the Ministries (Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) to refer to when planning conservation and sustainable resource management in these areas and across Vietnam, and to guide future research along these lines.

- Publications: 
+ Nguyen Van Long, Thai Minh Quang, Mai Xuan Dat, Nguyen Le Thao My, Hoang Xuan Ben, 2024. Biodiversity of coral reefs and associated seagrass beds in Quy Nhon Bay, Binh Dinh Province. Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 24(3): 265-279. https://doi.org/10.15625/1859-3097/19709 (VAST2);
+ Nguyen Van Long, Tran Van Binh, Thai Minh Quang, Nguyen Le Thao My, Marina Malyutina, 2024. Characteristics of composition, area and status of coral reefs at submerged banks and shoals on the continental shelf of southern Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology (VAST2; accepted by the Journal);
+ Le Ngoc Trieu, Thai Thach Bich, Nguyen Van Ket, Nguyen Van Long, 2023. Genetic diversity, variation, and structure of two populations of bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana d’Orbigny) in Con Dao and Phu Quoc Islands, Vietnam. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 21: 116. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43141-023-00573-y (Scimago Q2).
+ Long Van Nguyen, Quang Minh Thai, Dat Xuan Mai, My Thao Nguyen-Le, Hong Kim Thi Phan, Ben Xuan Hoang, Ha Viet Dao, Marina Malyutina, 2024. Spatial recruitment patterns of Chaetodon butterflyfishes on coral reefs in the coastal waters of Vietnam. Environmental Biology of Fishes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-024-01658-4 (Scimago Q2).
- Patents: No
- Products (descrition in details): 
+ A collection of 45 benthic animal specimens from three groups (polychaetes, mollusks, and crustaceans) handed over to the Oceanographic Museum for creation, display, and research purposes;
+ A DVD disk containing photographic documentation from surveys at 15 reef sites on submerged shoals and banks, and offshore islands. 
These products are stored at the Institute of Oceanography.
- Education and training: The project supports the training of a PhD student under scientific guidance by the project leader, providing data on benthic covers and density of juvenile corals from previous research and data from this project.

Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and other relevant coastal provinces (Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau).

It expands research directions for additional valuable fisheries resources in coastal areas of Vietnam. The Principal Investigator hereby certifies that all the above information are correct.