The biggest threat is oil exploration on the southern shelf. Oilfield development rose from 41,000 tonnes production in 1986 to 5.2 million tonnes in 1992. This development involves not only more shipping and disturbance to the area but also a growing threat of oil spillage and pollution. Viet Nam's inshore fisheries are heavily over-utilised. There are a total of 54,000 fishing boats.
Coral mining is a serious development.
Coral is mined and burned to produce lime and cement. There are many such factories along the coast. Much of the seafront is being physically developed as tourism areas, factory sites or fishing villages. There is almost no natural undisturbed coastline left. Marine and coastal tourism is driving a new demand for souvenirs such as rare shells, turtles, decorative corals and so on, whilst collecting of ornamental fish for trade to Singapore is also a growing problem.