Vietnam’s Nha Trang reaffirms beach hawker ban after viral fruit seller’s goods seized

Nguyen Thanh Son, chairman of the Nha Trang Ward People's Committee, said on Saturday that officials had instructed the vendor, named Nguyen Thi Mai, a 58-year-old resident of Bac Nha Trang Ward, to sign a written commitment agreeing not to sell goods in prohibited areas along the beachfront.

The ward authorities also directed officials to return the confiscated goods to Mai, Son said.

Mai has become an iconic figure among foreign visitors due to her singing the names of fruits in English–“Mango, pineapple, banana, watermelon…” while selling fresh produce on Nha Trang Beach.

Crackdown on street, beach vendors

Over recent months, Nha Trang Ward has intensified efforts to restore order and improve security along a beachside park on Tran Phu Street.

The campaign targets issues including theft and persistent street vendors who approach tourists along the beachfront.

According to Son, the enforcement campaign is part of a broader effort to preserve Nha Trang's reputation as a civilized and welcoming tourist destination.

“Everyone must comply with the law without exception,” he said.

“Whether it is Mai or any other street vendor, no one is allowed to sell goods in prohibited areas or harass tourists,” he stressed.

While defending the enforcement action as consistent with existing regulations, Son acknowledged that authorities would place greater emphasis on public education and warnings before resorting to administrative measures.

Long-term solutions needed

Ngo Khac Thinh, head of the ward's division of economy, infrastructure and urban development, said Mai received her goods back after signing the commitment and would not face any administrative penalties.

Asked whether the ward had plans to support long-time street vendors who rely on tourism for their livelihoods, Thinh said no immediate assistance program is currently in place.

However, he said authorities are considering developing designated night-time markets and snack vending areas where vendors could legally operate in the future.

Such spots would provide a more organized environment while ensuring better aesthetics and compliance with food safety standards, he said.

Nguyen Van Thanh, former vice-chairman of the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, noted that the prohibition on street vending along Nha Trang Beach has existed for years.

However, inconsistent enforcement has allowed the practice to continue, affecting Nha Trang’s tourism image.

Thanh said street vendors should be brought under a formal management framework instead of being left unregulated.

“Vendors like Mai contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of Nha Trang's tourism scene," he said.

"If authorities can develop an appropriate management model, such vendors could also help promote the city's tourism."