Part of the Indo-Chinese peninsula and located on the northwest edge of the Coral Triangle in the South China Sea, the Vietnamese coastal zone is home to a wealthy marine biodiversity associated with the regional geological setting and history, which supports a large number of marine ecosystems along a subtropical to tropical gradient. The diversity of coastal benthic marine primary producers is also a key biological factor supporting marine biological diversity. The present review provides: (1) an updated checklist of the Vietnamese marine flora, (2) a review of molecular-assisted alpha taxonomic efforts, (3) an analysis of marine floral biodiversity spatial distribution nationally and regionally (South China Sea), (4) a review of the impact of anthropogenic and environmental stressors on the Vietnamese marine flora, and (5) the efforts developed in the last decade for its conservation. Based on the studies conducted since 2013 and the nomenclatural changes that occurred during this period, an updated checklist of benthic marine algae and seagrasses consisted in a new total of 878 species, including 439 Rhodophyta, 156 Ochrophyta, 196 Chlorophyta, 87 Cyanobacteria, and 15 phanerogam seagrasses. This update contains 54 new records and 5 new species of macroalgae. The fairly poor number of new records and new species identified in the last 10 years in a “mega-diverse” country can be largely attributed to the limited efforts in exploring algal biodiversity and the limited use of genetic tools, with only 25.4% (15 species) of these new records and species made based on molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy. The South Central Coast supports the highest species diversity of marine algae, which coincides with the largest density of coral reefs along the Vietnamese coast. Vietnam holds in the South China Sea one of the richest marine floras, imputable to the country’s geographical, geological, and climatic settings. However, Vietnam marine floral biodiversity is under critical threats examined here, and current efforts are insufficient for its conservation. A methodical molecular-assisted re-examination of Vietnam marine floral biodiversity is urgently needed, complemented with in-depth investigations of the main threats targeting marine flora and vulnerable taxa, and finally, conservation measures should be urgently implemented.

The seagrass species previously classified as Cymodocea serrulata has been reclassified as Oceana serrulata. This reclassification is based on genetic analysis, which reveals a distinct separation of this species from others within the Cymodocea genus. This change will have implications for future research and taxonomy, highlighting the value of advanced genetic techniques in elucidating the relationships between seagrass species. Nevertheless, further analysis is warranted as new evidence emerges. The transition to the designation Oceana serrulata harmonizes traditional morphological descriptions with modern genetic phylogenetics, enabling a more precise classification. This adjustment will facilitate targeted research on the newly categorized Oceana genus’s biology, ecology, and conservation. We emphasize the importance of disseminating this update to inform the scientific community about these alterations in species classification. Accurate taxonomy serves as the essential foundation for biological research and conservation efforts. Presenting the rationale and process behind taxonomic changes enhances understanding of scientists’ challenges. Furthermore, evaluating name changes encourages scientific discourse and feedback, underscoring the significance of ongoing taxonomic reassessment in advancing seagrass biology and conservation.

The seagrass Halophila is one of the genera of Hydrocharitaceae that shows the highest number of species, with around 20 species. Among them, H. ovalis, H. major, H. minor, and H. nipponica are closely related species. It is the first time ITS2 secondary structures and their phylogenetic utility in this genus were reported worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis based on 205 bp of ITS2 showed four clades corresponding to above species. ITS2 secondary structures showed insight into Halophila ovalis from the East coast of Africa. Halophila ovalis from the East coast of Africa showed a distinct variant in Helix 1, 2, and 3 compared to the worldwide populations. Therefore, the ITS2 locus should be used as a DNA barcode for identifying Halophila species.