ANN/VIETNAM NEWS – A 100-metre stretch of sand and dike on the renowned My Khe Beach on the Son Tra Peninsula has been eroded by persistent rain and rising sea waves, jeopardising nearby entertainment, trade, and tourism activities.
The Son Tra Tourism Management Division reported that the past three weeks of relentless weather have damaged up to 20 metres (m) of the beach’s dike and walkways. In some areas, the concrete dike’s foundation has been exposed, prompting local traders to relocate their businesses to safer locations.
Earlier signs of erosion were also noted at Man Thai Beach, situated three kilometres (km) from My Khe Beach.
In response, sandbags and bamboo piles have been deployed to reinforce the dike, while city authorities prepare an emergency plan to safeguard the beach. Residents fear the iconic beach may disappear altogether if urgent protective measures are not implemented.
Long-time fishermen from Son Tra Peninsula recall how a dense casuarina forest, planted in the 1960s, once shielded the coastline from erosion. However, the rapid expansion of beachfront hotels and resorts has diminished this natural barrier.
The coastline was also once protected by extensive coral reefs, which were heavily damaged during the 1980s.
Danang, home to 11 public beaches and 90km of coastline, has been grappling with severe coastal erosion. Cua Dai Beach in neighbouring Hoi An has seen 200m of damage in recent weeks, prompting Quang Nam province to declare an emergency and initiate rapid response measures. At a recent scientific conference, experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) attributed the severe erosion in Quang Nam and Danang to a combination of factors, including rising sea levels, mismanagement of the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river system, and rapid urbanisation.
As coastal erosion accelerates, the need for effective, long-term solutions to preserve these iconic beaches becomes increasingly urgent.
