VIETNAM NATIONAL INTERESTS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA

This article explores the relationship between Vietnam's national inte rests and the international law of the sea. Vietnam's national interes ts in the marine sphere include defense (the maintenance of a maritime buffer); international relations (enhancing its regional position thr ough joint development and favorable resolution of boundary and fisher ies disputes); and economics (stimulating development of its maritime resources). Although ratification of the 1982 Law of the Sea Conventio n would be somewhat disadvantageous to Vietnam's maritime defense stra tegy, many provisions would promote Vietnam's interests. Moreover, rat ification and implementation of the Convention would signal Vietnam's support for international law and its desire to ''rejoin '' the commun ity of Southeast Asian nations. It might also encourage resolution of its boundary disputes, thus opening new areas to resource exploration and development by foreign companies.