On 14/6, many streets in central Da Lat, including the night market area, Tran Hung Dao, 3 Thang 2, Tran Phu, Hoang Van Thu, Le Dai Hanh, Yersin, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, and Phan Dinh Phung, saw piles of trash on sidewalks, at the base of trees, and at intersections. Many bins were full, overflowing onto the street, emitting odors, and attracting flies.

Trash piles overflow onto Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Lam Vien ward - Da Lat. *Photo: Khanh Huong*

Le Trung, a resident on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street in Lam Vien ward, Da Lat, stated that household waste in the area is usually collected daily. However, for the past two days, trash accumulated in piles and was not removed, affecting residents' daily lives and local businesses.

"This scene is occurring in the middle of the summer tourist season, significantly impacting restaurants, cafes, and Da Lat's overall landscape," Mr. Trung said.

Da Lat Urban Services Joint Stock Company, the unit responsible for collecting and transporting waste, indicated that it delivers trash from five central wards to the Da Lat Solid Waste Treatment Plant. This plant is owned by Green Energy Environment Co., Ltd. The average volume of waste is approximately 200-250 tons each day.

Trash piles in the Yersin planned area. *Photo: Khanh Huong*

From 18h on 12/6, the plant announced a temporary suspension of waste reception. Dozens of specialized waste trucks were forced to queue outside the gate, unable to deliver their loads for processing.

In a notice sent to the People's Committees of the five central Da Lat wards, Green Energy Environment Co., Ltd. explained that the Lam Dong Region I Civil Judgment Enforcement Department had requested banks to restrict debiting the company's account starting from 11/6.

According to the company, the freezing of its account prevented financial transactions necessary for operations, forcing the plant to temporarily stop accepting waste. By the morning of 14/6, after local authorities intervened, the plant announced it would resume receiving and processing trash.

Trash trucks parked in long lines outside the Da Lat Solid Waste Treatment Plant. *Photo: Khanh Huong*

Nguyen Hoang Phuc, Chairman of Lam Vien Ward People's Committee, Da Lat, reported that from noon today, Da Lat Urban Services Joint Stock Company began collecting accumulated trash on the ward's main roads, following the plant's reopening. It is expected to take one or two days to clear the entire backlog of waste.

The Da Lat Solid Waste Treatment Plant spans 28 hectares and has been operational since 2015. It handles all household waste from the Da Lat area, processing it into plastic pellets, bio-fertilizer, and unburnt bricks. The plant has previously experienced several temporary closures due to disputes over processing unit prices. The area has also faced landslides, which resulted in waste spilling into nearby coffee farms.

By Khanh Huong and Truong Ha