After seven years of implementing the Maritime Code 2015, Vietnam’s seaport network has developed impressively, attracting many large shipping companies in cargo handling. For many years, the throughput of goods at seaports exceeded 700 million tons annually, with some years posting double-digit growth. However, many shortcomings in implementing the Code have also been noted. Though potential remains, Vietnam’s imports and exports are mainly handled by foreign fleets, which account for over 90 per cent, especially on long-distance sea routes such as to and from the Americas and Europe. Maritime human resources are expected to be in serious shortage in the years to come, primarily due to the harsh and arduous working environment.