The oceans and seas are significant for the sustainable future development of countries in the Southeast Asian region. Efforts to achieve comprehensive management and sustainable development are underway and international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other regional and international initiatives are part of these efforts. To better understand related developments in the region, this piece provides an overview and analysis of the ocean policies in Viet Nam and Malaysia, their importance, status and challenges, and options for the way forward.