Street vendors, trash besiege trillion-dong park in Vung Tau

Thuy Van Park along Back Beach, with an investment of nearly 1.1 trillion dong, lacks an operating unit, leading to widespread street vending, trash, and vehicles, creating a messy appearance.

Officials raised concerns about Thuy Van Park at a meeting hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction on 30/1. Inaugurated late last year, the park represents a significant investment of nearly 1.1 trillion dong, designed to revitalize Vung Tau's popular Back Beach area.

The Thuy Van Street beautification project includes a green park, a coastal promenade, Tam Thang tower, a community play area, and public service stations. This ambitious undertaking aimed to create a vibrant tourist destination, active both day and night, for the region.

Street vendors near Tam Thang tower, 12/2025. Photo: Truong Ha

However, local authorities report that the park has not met its objectives. Despite attracting many residents and tourists, its management primarily relies on temporary coordination, lacking dedicated personnel. This absence of specialized oversight has led to several issues, including street vending, littering, motorcycles entering park areas, and improper use of public spaces.

Vu Hong Thuan, Chairman of the Vung Tau Ward People's Committee, identified the park's biggest hurdle: it has not been handed over to an official operating unit. The ward's responsibilities are limited to ensuring security, environmental sanitation, and tourism activities. The investor retains responsibility for the project's overall management and exploitation.

Street vendors surround Thuy Van Park. Photo: Truong Ha

Natural factors exacerbate the challenges. Seasonal strong winds bring large waves and sand onto the shore, impacting the park's greenery and landscape. These environmental pressures, combined with unauthorized vending and accumulated trash, contribute to public perception of a "trillion-dong park, yet messy."

Operating costs for the park are substantial, with electricity expenses reaching about one billion dong per month and water costs around 200 million dong. Plans to organize parking tenders have stalled due to regulatory issues. The ward previously deployed paid parking attendants but had to discontinue the service because of compliance problems.

The absence of commercial, cultural, and artistic activities in the evenings means the park lacks adequate lighting and has not developed night tourism products. Similarly, daytime sports and beach entertainment activities remain unsynchronized, hindering its full potential.

Doan Hai Linh, Director of the Vung Tau Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board, noted the park's complete lack of dedicated security personnel. This deficiency affects everything from asset protection to guiding visitors on proper facility use. Free utility facilities frequently suffer damage, and equipment is stolen. Furthermore, sanitation staff numbers are low, and there is no security presence at night.

Vung Tau Back Beach Park from above. Photo: Truong Ha

The Vung Tau Ward People's Committee has recommended expediting the tender process to select an operating unit. If immediate implementation proves unfeasible, local authorities propose a temporary solution for three to six months to stabilize park operations and align them with its original goals.

Le Ngoc Linh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, called for the prompt completion of all remaining items, acceptance testing, and handover to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Traffic and Technical Infrastructure Management. This transfer will allow the Center to develop a comprehensive management and operation plan. The Department also urged the completion of the park exploitation project in February to establish a basis for bidding. Additionally, it emphasized focusing on landscaping, sanitation, lighting, and ensuring security and traffic safety, particularly during the upcoming Tet holiday.