Vietnam’s Mui Ne beaches struggle to tackle ocean waste

A popular beach destination in Lam Dong, Mui Ne is known for its long sandy beaches, thriving tourism industry, and water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, attracting tourists from Vietnam and abroad.

In recent days, the beaches have been inundated with trash despite repeated clean-up efforts by local authorities, officials, armed forces, volunteers, and even tourists.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper, Tran Hai Anh, vice-chairman of the People’s Committee of Mui Ne Ward, said the locality has mobilized vehicles and personnel to collect waste washing up along some beaches in the area.

These efforts have helped make Mui Ne’s beaches cleaner, although the problem has yet to be fully addressed.

He added that the ward has also worked with environmental treatment companies to discuss technological solutions for more effective screening and collection of waste both at sea and onshore.

Waste washing ashore is not a new problem in Mui Ne, but it has occurred regularly for years.

The Mui Ne official said the amount of waste washing ashore varies seasonally and is mainly affected by wind direction, waves, tides, and ocean currents.

During the southerly wind season, roughly from April to October each year, waste tends to wash ashore along the coastline of Front Beach.

During the northerly wind season, waste tends to accumulate along the coastline of the Back Beach.

The amount of ocean waste washing ashore in Mui Ne is uneven and changes frequently, with no specific recurring pattern having been identified.

At present, there are no comprehensive statistics on the volume, composition, locations, and timing of ocean waste generated in the area over the past several years.

The locality therefore lacks sufficient data to accurately analyze and assess waste patterns and develop forecasts for specific periods and areas.

For now, Mui Ne Ward will deal with waste that has accumulated on the beaches by collecting and transporting it on a regular basis to promptly maintain environmental hygiene and the appearance of tourist areas.

The locality considers ocean waste a difficult, long-term and comprehensive task.

It will therefore continue monitoring the situation, collecting field data, and analyzing waste patterns to propose appropriate collection methods and technological solutions for different areas.

In the initial stage, ocean waste that has drifted ashore and accumulated on beaches, as well as waste at drainage outlets and ditches, must be collected.

More bins, strict penalties

Following the merger of the former Mui Ne and Ham Tien Wards, the coastline of Mui Ne Ward now stretches for about 31km, comprising numerous sandy and rocky beaches as well as seawalls.

At many beaches, residents use plastic bags, plastic sacks filled with sand, and other materials to reinforce the ground, prevent subsidence, and create pathways down to the sea.

Over time, these materials deteriorate, break down, and become buried, forming large accumulations of plastic waste.

Some residents also dump or throw waste directly onto the beaches, adding to the amount of waste generated and left behind in these areas.

Tuoi Tre found that some beaches in Mui Ne Ward where residents sell goods and seafood remain littered with plastic bags, plastic items, fishing gear, and other waste.

Regarding the situation, Hai Anh said strict penalties would be imposed on people who litter indiscriminately.

The ward will also install additional trash bins to make it easier for residents and tourists to dispose of their waste properly.