- Taking the lead in the formulation and implementation of programs, schemes, projects and tasks of fundamental natural resource and environment survey of in seas and islands of Viet Nam and adjacent international waters, including:

   + Investigation and assessment of marine and insular natural resources, including non-living and bio-origin resources, marine energy, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, positional resources and new resource types in deep sea areas;

   + Investigation and assessment of the environmental parameters and trends of marine environment (sea water, sediments), marine ecology and physical fields:

• 2D Seismic survey;
• Geophysical analog survey;
• Geotechnical, Environment survey.

   + Assessment of levels of damage of marine and insular resource and environment systems due to the impact of natural hazards, the exploitation of resources and the effects of global climate change;

   + Investigation and assessment of factors impacting marine and insular environment and resources, such as topography, geomorphology, hydro-litho-dynamics, geophysics, sedimentology, structural geology - geodynamics, paleo-geography, evolution of coastal, and estuarine areas, and geotechnical factors;

   + Investigation and assessment of natural conditions, position resources of seas and islands;

   + Investigation, assessment of current situation and prediction of natural hazards;

- Taking the lead in the formulation and implementation of programs, projects, researches on marine and insular resources and environment to:

   + Serve resource utilization management;

   + Environmental protection;

   + Marine construction;

   + Assessing the impacts of climate change on coastal, sea and island areas.

- Application of remote sensing and GIS in the compilation, integration of survey data on marine resources and environment.

- Carrying out consulting and service activities in survey, research  and assessment of marine natural conditions and hazards to serve the design and construction of marine structures; investigation of marine resources and environment, exploration and exploitation of marine resources and environment; sea use planning, marine resources and environment planning and integrated management, coastal zone and islands planning and integrated management; technology transfer and training in marine resources and environment survey.