2 tourists face $951 fine each for breaking over 10kg of coral in south-central Vietnam

The incident drew public outrage after images and posts circulated widely online on Saturday afternoon, showing a group of 10 tourists breaking coral branches after swimming and putting them into plastic bags or carrying them away from the beach.

The Bac Nha Trang Ward People’s Committee on Sunday joined hands with local police, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, and the Khanh Hoa fisheries agency to summon V.V.B., 50, and N.V.Y., 62, for questioning.

Both residents of Dong Nai City in southern Vietnam were identified as having taken coral from Hon Chong Beach.

During the questioning, the two men said they were unaware that the coral area at Hon Chong was under strict protection and that any damage to the ecosystem was prohibited.

They admitted that their actions had affected the coral reef ecosystem and caused public concern.

The Nha Trang Bay Management Board said the coral removed by the two men had a total weight of more than 10 kilograms.

The coral belonged to the Acropora genus.

Authorities in the ward also booked the two men for illegally exploiting aquatic species that do not meet regulations, involving species listed in Group II of the endangered and rare aquatic species category, or species included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Their offense was determined not to reach the threshold for criminal prosecution.

Under the regulations, each tourist faces a fine ranging from VND20 million ($760) to VND30 million ($1,141).

An official from Bac Nha Trang Ward said authorities were expected to impose a fine of some VND25 million on each offender after completing relevant procedures.

As observed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper reporter, along Pham Van Dong Street near Hon Chong Beach, authorities had installed signs warning people not to enter areas containing coral reefs and seagrass beds, and prohibiting fishing and other activities that could harm the marine ecosystem.

Coral reefs under strict protection

According to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, Hon Chong’s waters currently contain about 11 hectares of coral reefs, including many reefs aged between five and 10 years as well as areas undergoing restoration, local media reported.

To protect the ecosystem, authorities have banned residents and visitors from entering coral and seagrass conservation zones, harvesting aquatic resources, or carrying out activities that could damage marine habitats.

In May, the management board introduced several protective measures and established temporary conservation zones to address the risk of coral bleaching caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

The temporary protection zone covering the Hon Chong-Dang Tat coral reef area remains in place until the end of August, aiming to reduce human impacts as coral bleaching risks increase.

The measure is considered an emergency response to protect reefs already under pressure from prolonged heat and rising sea temperatures.

Climate experts have warned that El Nino in 2026 could have significant effects on Vietnam, particularly in the south-central region.

Average temperatures from now to December are forecast to be 0.5-1.5 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average.

From now until August, heatwaves in the region are expected to be more severe than during the same period in 2025, with more days of extreme heat.

Dam Hai Van, director of the management board, said coral bleaching can occur when seawater temperatures exceed 30.5 degrees Celsius and remain at that level continuously for two to three weeks.

During bleaching, corals expel the symbiotic algae living inside their tissues.

Without these algae, corals lose their vibrant colors and turn pale white.

Scientists said coral bleaching does not mean corals die immediately.

If environmental conditions quickly return to normal, corals can recover by absorbing symbiotic algae again.

However, prolonged heat stress can weaken corals, make them more vulnerable to disease and increase the risk of widespread die-offs.