Mr. Doan Manh Dung: Four essential weaknesses protect Vietnam territory from the sea in order: Cam Ranh, Son Duong, Nam Du and Con Dao. Previously I said that only 3 points, but after the Viking ship was attacked and broke up the cable that needs to use Con Dao for the protective role of oil and gas regions.
Four essential weaknesses points are identified based on natural geographical factors. Because of a small, poor country, everything from construction to protection of the country must know how to use the natural geographical features. Vietnam Navy has military bases strong enough to defense and attack. The naval bases must have a minimum depth of 10m, width of water surface capable of receiving many military vessels, with high mountains to shield and favorable logistics supply. And the collaboration with foreign partners in economic development of the above weaknesses need fastened demand if patriotic war happens
More details please, sir?
First of all, we need to know the natural characteristics that influence marine over the East Sea. Due to the flow and the monsoon, in winter, ships from the North to the South East Sea have to move closely the coast of central Vietnam (green line - picture below). Also from the South to the North, the ships go away from the central coast to avoid reverse currents (red lines).
In North Bay is Son Duong port which is located in the south of Vung Ang of Ha Tinh. It has a special position (position 4).
This position is the same latitude with Sanya port, with the atomic fleet of China. Son Duong port location is located just north of Ngang mountain pass where the Highway 1A road passes through the mountains and tunnels. Depth of Son Duong port after building dikes 3,000 meters from Ron Island to Son Duong port area enclosed storm and reached a depth of -16m to over broad waters.
So, Son Duong port is the essential of the North Bay, controlled sea and road from South and Central supplies to North Vietnam.
On the south coast, Con Dao has unicorn shaped, back towards the Southwest - Northeast, looking to the East (position 5).
Eastern coasts, the waters are shallow. But Southwest of Con Dao is Ben Dam. The Northeast of Ben Dam has Cross Mountain with 577m height; the southwest is Hon Ba with 242m height, while the south is Hon Bo with 324m height. Ben Dam depth is quite ideal -13m, sheltered Northeast and Southwest winds, favorable for a deep water port for naval and commercial. This location is close to the international sea route through the Southern seas.
This is the weakness of the Southern coast. If Vietnam has a strong naval base in here, it will help control the sea route to the coast of South Vietnam and the keeping safety for the oil fields in the Southeast.
In Thailand Bay, the coast continental shelf of Rach Gia - Ha Tien is very shallow. The construction of artificial deepwater port in this area is very expensive, especially the cost of maintenance.
Nam Du archipelagos located between the road from Phu Quoc to Ca Mau, about 50km from the coast (position 6). Natural depth between Nam Du archipelagos is -10m, with 309m high mountains in the west. The island in the East covered Northeast monsoon. So this area is suitable for mooring boats, favorable for a best naval port in the southwest coast of Vietnam. Nam Du archipelagos are the weakness that protect Southwest coast of Vietnam.
When the Kra canal of Thailan is opened, the Nam Du archipelagos position becomes more important in the protection of international maritime channels across the Gulf of Thailand.
