Background and objective: Maritime development in Vietnam has traditionally been approached through legal, geopolitical, economic, and environmental lenses, with limited attention to the cultural and spiritual dimensions that shape community interactions with marine spaces. This study addresses this gap by examining the persistence and significance of spiritual-cultural practices (SCPs) among key stakeholders connected to the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, exploring their contributions to community resilience, place attachment, cultural continuity, and sustainable maritime development.Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a structured questionnaire with in-depth interviews. A total of 1,187 valid responses were collected from three stakeholder groups: 143 island residents (current or former) in the Truong Sa Archipelago, 132 coastal fishermen from Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa Province), and 912 naval personnel stationed in Khanh Hoa Province. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and comparative analysis in SPSS, supplemented by qualitative interpretation of interview narratives.Results: SCPs remain vibrant and diverse across all groups, encompassing ancestor worship, veneration of President Ho Chi Minh, and maritime deities such as the Whale God and the Lady of the South Sea. Naval personnel exhibited the highest regular participation (51.4%) and emphasized cultural preservation (64.5%), reflecting institutionalized rituals. Fishermen showed the strongest intensification of belief over time (79.5%) and prioritized livelihood protection and faith (61.8% and 58.8%, respectively). Residents demonstrated frequent engagement with sacred sites (72.8%) and balanced cultural preservation (57.2%) with religious faith (45.7%). Over 70% of respondents across groups affirmed that SCPs contribute to ethical conduct, community cohesion, and symbolic sovereignty assertion, functioning as a form of "soft sovereignty" and intangible cultural capital.Conclusion: The findings underscore the complementary roles of naval personnel (institutionalized rituals), fishermen (occupationally adaptive practices), and residents (place-based continuity) in sustaining maritime cultural heritage. SCPs serve not only spiritual and social functions but also enhance resilience and peaceful territorial affirmation. Integrating SCPs into marine spatial planning, cultural tourism, education, and national maritime strategies is recommended to achieve culturally inclusive and sustainable maritime development in Vietnam.
Pham Thanh Duy (2026) studied this question.