The joint multilateral coastal marine science program has been promoted by the JSPS foundation (Japan Promotion for Science) since 1995 of the 20th century for enhancing of collaboration among key research institutions of Japan and core universities, institutions and laboratories in the South East Asia countries. Vietnam took part in this program in 2001 where the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology played as the focal point and the Institute of Marine Environment and Resources con.tributed as. Jhe National Coordinator for Vietnam side. In this program, 54 key members come fi-om core universities and research institutions participated in 4 projects of this JSPS joint multilateral program such as 1- Water Circulation and process of material transport in coastal area and marginal sea of East and Southeast Asia; 2- Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Marine Microalgae; 3- Biodiversity Study in the Coastal Waters of the East and Southeast Asia; 4- Pollution of hazardous chemicals in the coastal marine environment and their ecological effect.