Vietnam’s Phu Quoc demolishes popular The Peak flower garden

The Peak was regarded as a tourist attraction in the zone that had drawn large numbers of visitors seeking panoramic sea views and sunset photography.

The operation aims to restore the site to its original condition after officials determined that the development had encroached on forest land and state-managed property.

According to the enforcement board, the Phu Quoc administration, in coordination with relevant agencies, took coercive measures against Le Trong D., a resident of Phu Quoc, and Tran Van L., a resident of Ho Chi Minh City.

The two men are the owners of the illegally constructed tourist site.

The demolition is scheduled to take place over three days.

At around 7:30 am on Wednesday, enforcement officials arrived at The Peak and formally announced the demolition decision.

Authorities subsequently deployed personnel and specialized equipment to remove stones, bridges, buildings and other architectural features.

Officials said the owners had repeatedly ignored administrative sanctions and warnings issued by local authorities.

The demolition marks a significant move by the Phu Quoc administration to restore order in land management and construction activities, while addressing long-standing issues involving encroachment on forest land and public property, as well as unauthorized construction.

Prior to the enforcement action, The Peak Garden Flower’s operators had announced its temporary suspension.

They also removed furniture, valuable equipment and some structures, including portions of bridges and the entrance gate erected on the illegally occupied land.

Local authorities had previously conducted inspections into the tourist site and booked D. and L. for their land-related violations.

The two men were found to have organized construction activities that did not conform to approved planning regulations and unlawfully occupied forest land and state-managed property.

Also, L. converted some 5,150 square meters of land designated for perennial crops into non-agricultural land for business and production purposes without obtaining approval from competent authorities.

In addition, investigators concluded that the violations had altered the natural terrain, changed the land’s surface gradient, and involved unauthorized leveling and filling of agricultural land.

The two were fined a combined VND295 million (US$11,200) for their violations.

Besides, L. was ordered to repay more than VND200 million ($7,600) in illicit profits obtained through the violations.