Offshore surveys for two wind power projects, planned to total 1.8 GW between them, got under way on October 13 under a partnership between US-backed Pacifico Energy and Vietnam Petroleum Technical Services Corporation (PTSC; HNX: PVS), according to a report by The Investor on October 15. PTSC is handling the surveys via its branch PTSC Marine GS.
The campaign takes Pacifico Energy past permits and paperwork and into technical work at sea. Earlier in 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment approved the company's use of designated marine areas for the surveys. According to the newspaper, the two projects could draw more than $6bn in investment in later development phases. That would place the company among the foreign investors furthest ahead in Vietnam's offshore wind sector.
Off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City lies the Southern offshore wind project, which is planned at 500 MW. The bigger South Central offshore wind project No. 3, slated for 1,300 MW, is situated off Lam Dong province.
The first phase will cover geophysical and meteorological-oceanographic surveys. These will gather data on the seabed's shape, its geology and natural conditions at the sites. The findings will feed into technical assessments, engineering design and wider development plans.
US-based Pacifico Energy Group owns Pacifico Energy Vietnam Co., while PTSC operates as a unit of Petrovietnam, which is state-owned. Both firms marked the start with a ceremony at the head office of PTSC Marine GS, located in Ho Chi Minh City's Rach Dua ward.
According to Pham Quoc Anh, who is executive chairman of Pacifico Energy Vietnam, the launch of the surveys reaffirmed that the group is committed to the country over the long term.
"We believe offshore wind can provide large-scale clean electricity while helping establish a new industry, create jobs and open up opportunities for Vietnamese businesses. Our partnership with PTSC is a concrete step towards realizing that vision," Pham Quoc Anh said, The Investor reported.
Le Chien Thang, who serves as deputy general director of PTSC, noted that the corporation draws on many years of experience with offshore projects and is improving its capabilities so it can satisfy the strict requirements of the renewable energy supply chain. In his view, the contract reinforces PTSC's position as a provider of renewable energy services both in Vietnam and across the region.
The cooperation drew praise from Arati Shroff, the acting US consul general based in Ho Chi Minh City. She described it as a practical instance of clean energy collaboration within the Vietnam-US partnership.
The launch came after Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam met Pacifico Energy Group chairman and founder Nate Franklin in New York on September 23.