The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment has proposed a pilot project to install an offshore buoy and collection system. This initiative aims to prevent water hyacinths and ocean trash from drifting onto Vung Tau's beaches, particularly Front Beach. The proposal is part of a broader report submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, outlining solutions to mitigate the environmental and tourism impacts of marine debris.

Water hyacinths forming a thick layer stretching hundreds of meters on Front Beach, late 5/2025. Photo: Truong Ha

Vung Tau's beaches, especially Front Beach, face a recurring problem with water hyacinths and various forms of waste. Statistics indicate two main seasons annually when water hyacinths drift ashore. From late May to mid-July, the influx primarily originates from the Saigon River and Vam Co River. Later, from late August until the end of the rainy season, the Tien River and Hau River become the main sources.

Beyond water hyacinths, plastic waste and fishing gear from residential activities, tourism, and aquaculture in the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau area, along with the Dong Nai, Saigon, and Vam Co river systems, also flow into the sea. These are eventually carried to the coast by waves and wind. Last year alone, nearly 5,400 tons of debris were collected from Vung Tau's coastline, with cleanup costs exceeding 580 million dong.

To tackle this persistent issue, the Departments of Science and Technology, and Agriculture and Environment have outlined a comprehensive set of solutions, spanning from upstream sources to coastal areas. The initial focus is on piloting the offshore buoy and collection system for trash and water hyacinths in the Front Beach area. This system aims to reduce the amount of debris reaching the shore, limiting environmental damage and disruption to tourism. If successful, the project could expand to other tourist beaches in the city.

Ocean trash collected in piles along Back Beach, 11/2025. Photo: Truong Ha

In addition to technical solutions, authorities propose several additional measures: enhancing the collection of water hyacinths and trash from rivers and canals at their points of origin; developing an early warning system to anticipate debris influxes; and researching the use of natural enemies for biological control of water hyacinths. Furthermore, there is a proposal to utilize collected organic waste as raw material for production, transforming a problem into a resource.

The former Vung Tau City, situated on a peninsula of the same name, is surrounded by the sea on three sides, approximately 100 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City's center. It is renowned for its diverse beaches, including the expansive Back Beach along Thuy Van street and the centrally located Front Beach. Other popular destinations for southern tourists include Dau Beach, Dua Beach, and the beaches in the Chi Linh area.

Truong Ha