Foul-smelling water flows from drainage outlet into Vietnam’s Nha Trang bay

Some readers reported the issue via Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper hotline on Thursday.

As observed by a Tuoi Tre reporter on the same day, a steady flow of dark-colored water emerged from two large drainage pipes and emptied into the sea near Hon Mot Mountain.

The area surrounding the outlet was marked by a distinct odor commonly associated with domestic wastewater.

During low tide, the dark plume spread across the nearshore waters, creating a sharp contrast with the surrounding seawater.

Residents said the unpleasant smell has been noticeable for some time.

Many voiced concern that the continuous discharge of black water into the bay could harm the marine environment and negatively affect Nha Trang’s reputation as one of Vietnam’s leading tourist destinations.

The problem is not new.

Wastewater discharges from outlets along Pham Van Dong Street have been the subject of repeated complaints in recent years.

In March, many residents and visitors complained about untreated wastewater flowing into Nha Trang Bay.

An official of the Bac Nha Trang Ward People’s Committee said that inspections conducted along the Pham Van Dong corridor from Tran Phu Bridge to Hon Mot identified four drainage outlets where domestic wastewater was being discharged into the sea.

Among them, Hon Mot Outlet is situated some 150 meters north of Ba Lang-Duong Hien Quyen Intersection on Pham Van Dong Street.

It consists of two drainage pipes, each measuring 1.5 meters in diameter, serving a catchment area of roughly 12.6 hectares.

Also, the drainage infrastructure in the area has not yet been fully upgraded to completely separate domestic wastewater from rainwater systems.

As a result, wastewater can remain stagnant within the pipes for extended periods before being discharged into the sea, causing pollution and unpleasant odors.

To address the issue, Khanh Hoa Province is implementing a project aimed at reducing wastewater pollution sources across Nha Trang.

Under the proposed plan, the Hon Mot outlet area will be equipped with a wastewater separation chamber, a pumping station, and a new collection system designed to limit the direct discharge of wastewater into the bay.

Authorities in Bac Nha Trang Ward also said they are stepping up inspections of illegal wastewater connections to the rainwater drainage network, while reviewing businesses, restaurants, and hotels in the area to identify and address any violations related to wastewater management.