The rapid growth of maritime transport in Vietnam has heightened the need for effective implementation of MARPOL Annex VI on the prevention of air pollution from ships. Since becoming a party to Annex VI, Vietnam has incorporated several of its requirements into domestic legislation, and the implementation on Vietnamese-flagged vessels has shown positive progress. Nevertheless, a number of limitations remain and require further study and improvement. This study assesses Vietnam’s level of compliance with Annex VI through two main dimensions: the implementation of Annex VI requirements on ships and the adequacy of the national legal framework. In addition, through analysis the study highlights that the application of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships presents opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions from the Vietnamese fleet. The article proposes legal, technical, and policy-oriented solutions to strengthen Vietnam’s compliance with Annex VI. Alongside promoting the adoption of autonomous and low-emission technologies, Vietnam should also accelerate the application of emerging clean-fuel technologies for ships. These measures are essential for meeting environmental commitments and advancing sustainable maritime development.
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