Maritime security or economic growth: The choice of stakeholders in coastal tourism development in Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province, Vietnam

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Coastal tourism emerges as a diverse, dynamic, fast-growing, and economically attractive form of contemporary tourism that encompasses a range of tourism, leisure- and recreational-oriented facilities and activities. As the coastline resembles a composite of ecological, social cultural, and economic values, it is of considerable interest to people, processes, and industries. Vietnam possesses the strategic advantage of a vast coastline spanning the entire length of the country, coupled with its location within the language zone of the East Sea, a crucial trading route for global commerce. Alongside the exploitation of marine resources, oil and gas, transportation, and port services, the development of coastal tourism is deemed a critical sector in promoting the growth of the maritime economy. Nevertheless, due to the national strategic position, the development of tourism in coastal areas faces challenges in reconciling national security policies for coastal defense with the goal of promoting economic development. This article examines the implementation of maritime economic development policies in Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province, highlighting a strategic balance between maintaining maritime security and promoting economic development for stakeholders. The study reveals that sustainable development in coastal tourism is not solely concerned with the livelihoods of local communities and environmental protection, which are typical concerns in other forms of tourism, rather, in the context of Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province, it is also tightly linked to maritime security.