Vietnam’s Nha Trang shuts down beach bar after staff threaten foreign tourists

According to ward officials, the bar was ordered to halt operations because it did not have a valid license to operate food and beverage services.

The suspension also aims to tighten oversight of business activities along the Nha Trang beachfront.

The case drew public attention after a video clip, more than one minute long, circulated widely on Facebook.

The footage shows a confrontation between several staff members of BlueSea Beach & Bar and foreign tourists at the Nha Trang beach park.

In the video, two foreign tourists were standing on a pedestrian walkway in the beach park while arguing with the bar’s staff.

Moments later, one man from the group ran toward the tourists while raising a shovel in a threatening manner.

Another staff member approached the tourists while holding a white plastic chair, also appearing to threaten them.

A BlueSea Beach & Bar representative said the incident occurred during the New Year holiday spanning the first four days of 2026.

At that time, the two foreign tourists were allegedly intoxicated and had behaved inappropriately toward a female staff member of the bar.

Male employees intervened to stop the behavior, which then escalated into a verbal dispute.

The representative said language barriers contributed to the misunderstanding and heightened tensions.

Some staff members failed to restrain themselves and acted inappropriately by threatening the tourists with a shovel and a plastic chair.

Following the incident, the bar’s management said it met with the tourists involved to apologize and conducted internal reviews to correct staff attitudes and behavior.

This suspension is not the first regulatory action taken against the establishment.

In March last year, the Nha Trang City Public Utility Services Management Board fined BlueSea Trading, Services and Tourism Co. Ltd., the operator of BlueSea Beach & Bar, a total of VND15 million (US$570).

The fines were imposed for two violations involving the illegal placement of umbrellas and lounge chairs beyond permitted areas, the installation of fixed huts, and the operation of a bar counter displaying alcohol and seating on the beach without authorization.