National network on marine environment monitoring and analysis was established in 1996 and has been operating since 1996. Coastal 'water quality is monitored at 21 stalions along the coast from Quang Ninh to Kien Giang. The monitoring parameters for both water and sediment, include physical and chemical parameters, nutrients, heavy metals and cyanide, coliform, oil, chlorophyll a, b, pesticides, planktons and benthos. Although the number of stations and measurement frequency do not meet the requirements, the collected data are so far the most systematic and reliable for the research and assessment of Vietnam marine water quality. The monitoring results from 2005 to 2009 show that Vietnam coastal water is still clean in general. although concentrations of the measuring parameters vary from site to site. Nevertheless, sereral parameters at some sites regularly exceed the standard values of QCVN: 2008/BNTMT for bathing, recreation, and aquatic cultivation purposes such as: TSS, COD, oil and grease, CN, NH4-N and total coliform. These results reflect the environmental characteristics of each monitoring area. as well as the impact of coastal economic activities to the marine water quality.