Seeing sea urchins in Vietnam's Nha Trang? Don’t fret, they’re harmless (mostly!)

Dam Hai Van, head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper on Sunday that officials recorded large numbers of sea urchins drifting ashore in recent days.

Teams have collected and disposed of them according to regulations, Van said.

Previously, tourists and residents spotted the creatures while swimming and walking along the beach, sharing photos and videos online.

The sea urchins, nearly palm-sized, are brown with stiff bristle-like spines covering their bodies.

Nguyen Tac An, former head of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, said that sea urchins normally live at depths of 10-16 meters.

Changes in weather or strong waves can push them from the seabed toward the shore.

He emphasized that sea urchins play an important role in the marine ecosystem, helping filter water.

The marine expert said sea urchins washing ashore was a normal phenomenon and did not pose a significant danger to humans, but the sudden appearance of sea urchins may affect the beach experience.

He explained that contact with their spines can cause swelling, marks, and soreness.

“Locals and tourists should watch carefully when swimming or walking along the beach to avoid stepping on them,” An said.

The expert’s advice comes as Nha Trang remains a famed beach destination for domestic and international tourists.

Beachgoers should observe their surroundings and avoid direct contact with the creatures, particularly when walking barefoot in areas where they have accumulated.