The article addresses the issue of implementing solid waste management on islands and coastal areas in Vietnam, viewed from the perspective of policies to practice. It encompasses the Party's directives and orientations to legal regulations, notably the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and other related policies such as planning. Specifically, the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 are detailed through Decree No. 08/ND-CP issued on January 10, 2022, and the guiding circular No. 02/TT-BTNMT issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the same date. The article also highlights current difficulties and challenges in implementing policies related to solid waste management on islands and coastal areas. Based on these insights, it proposes solutions for effective solid waste management on islands and coastal areas in Vietnam that align with practical conditions and the implementation of the regulations set forth in the Law on Environmental Protection 2020.