A new study reveals Vietnam has significantly increased its artificial island construction activities in the contested Spratly Islands, creating 534 acres of new land over the past twelve months, according to research published by a Washington-based policy institute.
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies released findings Friday showing Vietnam’s continued development in the disputed South China Sea region. The recent construction brings Vietnam’s total artificial land creation in the Spratly archipelago to approximately 2,771 acres.
According to the research, Vietnam completed major landfill work at Barque Canada Reef during spring 2025, establishing what has become the country’s most extensive installation in the island chain. Following that project’s completion, Vietnamese forces initiated smaller development projects at multiple additional locations throughout the latter half of 2025.
The study documents significant infrastructure improvements, noting Vietnam has constructed three additional harbor facilities at Grierson Reef, Petley Reef, and South Reef. These additions increase Vietnam’s total harbor count in the archipelago to 15 facilities, with 11 of those built since 2021. Researchers also identified early construction phases of what appears to be another harbor project at Landsdowne Reef.
Environmental consequences have accompanied the expansion activities. The think tank calculated Vietnam’s reef destruction, encompassing areas buried under landfill and zones dredged for navigation channels and port facilities, now totals roughly 4,120 acres.
While Vietnam’s construction pace initially appeared to match China’s development rate in early 2025, recent Chinese activities at Antelope Reef have restored China’s lead in the region. Current estimates show China maintains approximately 5,460 acres of artificial land and has caused 6,224 acres of reef damage.
Vietnam’s embassy in Washington has not provided responses to requests for commentary on the construction activities. China previously expressed opposition to Vietnam’s development at Barque Canada Reef, asserting territorial claims over the area. Beijing maintains sovereignty claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, despite competing territorial assertions from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
