The Viet Nam regional resource document considers spatial planning in coastal areas in East Asia, with a focus on preventing/reducing the impacts of emergency issues, including natural disasters, climate change and sea-level-rise. It details existing frameworks and future challenges, calling for a holistic ecosystem-based management approach. This is an output of the COBSEA and SIDA project entitled “Spatial Planning in the Coastal Zone – Disaster Prevention and Sustainable Development” in 2010-2013.