Vietnam is one of the founding Member States of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). It is one of the first 40 nations adopted the UNESCO's resolution 2.31 to establish IOC in 1960. During the past 50 years, there was time Vietnam had been the focal point of the human resources development program for marine research in South ,East Asia. Over 25 years after its re-establishment (1986-2011), IOC Vietnam has consulted and been the focal point to cooperate and promote the implementation of 6 IOC/UNESCO research programs and about 10 IOC/WESTPAC research projects. These are very modest outcomes in comparison with IOC Vietnam great potential to consult and support "grey matters" and technology for marine investigation and research. This paper analyses and evaluates the international marine research cooperation of Vietnam during. the past 50 years under IOC framework and proposes some solutions to cooperate and integrate Vietnamese marine research and investigation into IOC four medium-term strategies. This is a very important and pressing issue, not only because of its practical values, but also because it will enhance Vietnam's position, stature and prestige in regional and international marine research and investigation.