This article aims to clarify the process of formation and development of the coastal urban area of Cua Lo in the context of international integration. Based on an analysis of the development of coastal cities in Vietnam and the operational practices of coastal urban areas over the past three decades, the study indicates that Cua Lo has proactively utilized its advantages in geographical location and marine environment to promote tourism-service industries, as well as seafood exploitation and processing. These efforts have gradually shaped its development trajectory toward sustainability. By comparing policy frameworks with the actual development practices in Cua Lo, the paper synthesizes the achieved outcomes while identifying key strengths and limitations, thereby proposing orientations to strengthen the city’s sustainability and enhance its capacity for international integration.