Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast

21/01/2026 10:47

A newly formed sandbar resembling a giant dolphin has appeared near the Tran Phu Bridge in Nha Trang, a famed beach destination in south-central Vietnam, drawing crowds of locals and tourists eager to take photos.

Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast - Ảnh 1.

A 100-meter sandbar shaped like a dolphin appears at Nha Trang’s estuary in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, January 20, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

The sandbar stretches more than 100 meters long and nearly 50 meters wide, emerging clearly above the water during low tide.

From above, its shape looks like a dolphin pointing toward the open sea.

Residents said this is the first time such a large sand formation has appeared in the central Nha Trang area, located in Khanh Hoa Province.

Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast - Ảnh 2.

A dolphin-shaped sandbar lies next to the Tran Phu Bridge in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, January 20, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Smaller sandbanks formed along the coast before but they were quickly washed away by waves.

Dam Hai Van, director of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, explained that the sandbar was created at the confluence of river and sea currents.

Heavy rains and historic flooding in late November last year carried large amounts of soil and sand downstream from the Cai River, which combined with continuous waves to form the deposit.

“The sandbar will only exist for a short time before being eroded by the sea, but its presence may pose difficulties for boats navigating the area,” Van said.

Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast - Ảnh 3.

A sandbar blends into the blue waters of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, January 20, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Visitors have been fascinated by the unusual sight.

Tran Thi Hoai Tuc, a 36-year-old tourist from Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam, said she was impressed by the dolphin-like shape.

“It looks very interesting, and the photos are beautiful,” she noted.

Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast - Ảnh 4.

A drone view of a sandbar in the beach town of Nha Trang, located in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, January 20, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Dolphin-shaped sandbar draws crowds along Vietnam’s Nha Trang coast - Ảnh 5.

Locals and tourists visit a sandbar to take photos in the beach town of Nha Trang, located in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, January 20, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Minh Duy - Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre News

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