<![CDATA[The critical role of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind power, in Vietnam’s energy strategy advocates for supportive policies and innovative mechanisms to advance its development. Recently, the Power Development Plan VIII amended by the Prime Minister has further highlighted the importance of this energy source and the urgency to promote the plan. Offshore wind contributes up to 12 percent of the country’s electricity needs by 2035 and generates an estimated US$50 billion to the national economy. However, offshore wind projects in Vietnam have yet to receive investment approval or development decisions and currently remain at the site surveying stage due to legal and procedural bottlenecks, especially in the pre-development phase. In light of this situation, by using the written law analysis, the legal comparative and expert consultation methods, this paper analyzes the current situation of offshore wind power in Vietnam, the legal framework governing the permitting process for offshore wind surveys during the pre-development stage with a focus on Decree No. 58/2025/ND-CP and related regulations. It further compares Vietnam’s current approach with the regulatory practices of two mature offshore wind markets - Denmark and Germany - to make suitable legal recommendations for Vietnam. As a result, Vietnam’s legal framework is proven to entail unnecessary complexities, demotivating foreign developers from entering the offshore wind power market and wasting numerous development opportunities. This finding emphasizes the urgent need to reform the legal framework governing offshore wind power in order to promptly harness this resource and fulfill Vietnam’s established sustainable development goals.]]>
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