The Viet Nam national resource report on spatial planning in coastal areas, with a focus on preventing/reducing the impacts of emergency issues, including natural disasters, climate change and sea-level-rise, considers issues and approaches in spatial planning, lessons from around the world, and specifically the application in Viet Nam. The case study showcases the implications on island systems, increasing marine spatial use, and lessons for capacity building in Viet Nam. 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.