Went to the beach and stepped on black oil stains... Koreans' favorite Vietnam tourist spot in trouble

by Heo Midam

Published 03 Sep.2024 14:55(KST)

"There is a possibility of an oil spill at sea"

A dark clump of oil residue has washed up on the beach of Nha Trang, a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, raising complaints from local residents and tourists.

According to the local daily VN Express on the 3rd (local time), a considerable amount of oil residue clumps have been found at various points along a 3 km stretch of Nha Trang beach since the 1st.

Tourist Tuy Diem recently visited Nha Trang beach and accidentally stepped on the oil residue. He tried to wash it off but failed, eventually having to use gasoline to clean his shoes. The local authorities managing Nha Trang beach reported that hundreds of complaints have been received from people who stepped on oil residue clumps like Mr. Diem.

[Image source=VN Express homepage]

The Nha Trang Management Committee stated that they are cleaning the beach in cooperation with local cleaning companies. The committee also notified the Nha Trang city environmental authorities to take appropriate measures. Huynh Binh Thai, chairman of the Nha Trang Management Committee, said, "There is a possibility that oil was spilled at sea," adding, "This problem occurs every year in certain areas of Nha Trang beach. The authorities are investigating the cause."

The environmental authorities of Khanh Hoa Province, to which Nha Trang city belongs, stated that this substance appears to be a mixture of oil, seawater, and mud discharged from a marine vessel. They added that such substances tend to sink to the seabed over time and dissolve well in seawater, so the likelihood of significant impact on the marine environment is low.

Meanwhile, the 6 km-long Nha Trang beach is famous as the most beautiful place in Vietnam with clear weather and white sand year-round. It is nicknamed the "Mediterranean of Vietnam" and the "Naples of the East." This place, also used as a summer retreat for the Vietnamese royal family, was selected by National Geographic as a "must-visit resort."