In recent days, a one-kilometer stretch of Hai Tien beach, from Phuc Ngu canal to Giang Son village, Hoang Tien commune, has been inundated with bamboo stalks, tree roots, and various types of waste. Many tree stumps are buried deep in the sand, with only their sharp tips protruding like a field of spikes.

Hai Tien beach resembles a field of spikes. Photo: Le Hoang

These submerged stumps pose a hidden danger to strollers and swimmers when the tide rises. Bich Thuy, a tourist visiting Hai Tien during the early May holiday, noted the beach's beauty but criticized the widespread waste and exposed stumps. "During the day, you can see them and avoid them, but at night or when the tide is high, it's very dangerous, especially for children playing on the sand", she said.

Beyond rotten firewood and broken tree trunks, the area also collects various types of waste, including glass bottles, styrofoam sheets, fishing nets, and floating debris washed ashore by waves from offshore. A representative from Hoang Tien People's Committee (UBND) stated that the scattered stumps and waste are primarily due to several major storms in 2025. Large floods from upstream carried trees downstream into the Ma river, Chu river, and other waterways, with ocean waves subsequently sweeping a large amount of debris and trees from offshore onto the local bathing beach.

Many large tree stumps are scattered amidst the waste. Photo: Le Hoang

Following the storms, authorities organized repeated cleanup efforts, particularly before the summer tourism season. However, many stumps are buried deep in the sand, making manual removal difficult. Functional forces are now renting excavators and mechanical equipment to dig up the sand and remove all remaining stumps, ensuring visitor safety. This cleanup and disposal are expected to be completed this week.

Bottles, styrofoam boxes, and various other types of waste are also widespread on Hai Tien beach. Photo: Le Hoang

Typhoon Bualoi in 2025 caused severe damage to the Hai Tien coastal tourist area. Besides damaged embankments, the large amount of firewood, timber, and waste washed ashore created difficulties for local environmental sanitation efforts. Hai Tien, located about 20 km from the former center of Thanh Hoa city, has become one of the province's most popular tourist beaches in recent years. The beach stretches for about 12 km, with many sections retaining their pristine beauty. The tourist area currently boasts nearly 100 accommodation facilities with about 6,500 rooms, welcoming nearly 1,5 million visitors annually.

Le Hoang