Decree No. 72/1998/ND-CP on ensuring the safety of fishermen and the fishery means on sea.

This Decree shall apply to all Vietnamese fishermen and vessels operating in the Vietnamese sea areas. The Decree is divided into three Chapters: General provisions (I); Conditions for fishermen and fishery means to operate at sea and responsibilities of fishermen (II); State management over fishery activities (III), Implementing provisions (IV). The Decree requires owners of vessels to purchase insurance for vessels, and crew, to have fishery registration certificates, safety certificate, and fishing permit on board, etc. The shipmaster shall obtain an operating licence in accordance with size and type of fishing vessel. Various norms for the protection of crew are prescribed in Chapter II. Chapter III specifies the duties of the Ministry of Aquatic Resources and other ministries as regards the fishing operations and the safety of crew and fishing vessels at sea.