Mui Ne Beach Buried Under Two Months of Garbage, Tourism Concerns Rise

Bai Rang beach in Mui Ne ward, Binh Thuan province, a popular resort town in central Vietnam, is suffering from severe environmental pollution and a decline in tourism due to a massive accumulation of garbage for over two months. From the sandy shore to the seawall, various types of waste, including fishing gear, footwear, plastic bottles, and clothing, cover extensive areas, stretching for more than a kilometer. The situation is particularly dire at the bathing area behind the Rang pagoda in the former Ham Tien ward, where garbage piles up nearly half a meter high, emitting foul odors. This has made it impossible for local residents and tourists to access the beach. According to locals, the majority of this garbage originates from elsewhere. During the southern wind season, typically from June to October, household waste from rivers flows into the sea, and discarded items from fishing vessels are carried by currents into Mui Ne Bay. Mr. Nguyen Van Ne, 78, a local resident, stated, "This year, the garbage has accumulated for over two months without any cleaning vehicles arriving, hence the massive buildup." He added that residents are afraid to swim due to the stench and unsanitary conditions, fearing skin irritation. The access roads to accommodations along Bai Rang beach are also covered in garbage, negatively impacting businesses and tourism. Ms. Bao Thu, a homestay manager, noted, "During this season, tourists often complain because they cannot swim or walk along the beach." Some visitors leave quickly without staying long due to the heavily polluted coastline. Ms. Thu mentioned that while staff from nearby accommodations have attempted to clean up, the sheer volume of garbage is overwhelming, necessitating a large-scale operation by local authorities with heavy machinery. In response to the crisis, on September 19, a group of tourists and foreign residents in Mui Ne took to social media to call for volunteers to clean the beach. Alex, a Russian tourist, remarked, "It's terrible, we need to protect Mui Ne beach immediately." On the same day, the Mui Ne Ward People's Committee mobilized around 100 individuals, including border guards, militia, and youth union members, to collect the garbage. The collected waste is being bagged, piled on the road, and awaiting transport for disposal. Lieutenant Colonel Le Hoang Phuc, political officer of the Mui Ne Border Guard Station, stated, "Our unit has dispatched 12 officers and soldiers to join the community in cleaning the beach." Due to the immense amount of waste, the cleanup operation is scheduled to take place over two days, September 19-20, with hundreds of participants. Mr. Le Thanh Son, Chairman of the Mui Ne Ward People's Committee, confirmed, "We will mobilize additional heavy machinery to effectively clear this beach." Source: VnExpress