Around 6h, residents in Nha Trang Bay spotted a black whale, more than 5 m long, surfacing to hunt in the waters near Hon Mun island, more than 8 km from Nha Trang beach. The whale repeatedly surfaced, dived, and opened its mouth to catch prey for about one minute before moving along the area around the island.
Dam Hai Van, head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, said that only one individual has been recorded so far, with its exact size and weight yet to be determined. "The whale's return to this area is a positive sign, indicating a stable marine ecosystem and abundant food sources", he said.
Whale foraging near Hon Mun island, Nha Trang Bay, on the morning of 26/5. Video: Nha Trang Bay Management Board
The Nha Trang Bay Management Board advises residents and tourists to maintain a minimum distance of 100 m from the whale to ensure safety and avoid disturbing the species' natural activities.
The agency also recommends not to chase, block, separate a mother whale from its calf, or intentionally collide with the whale. Tourist boats should not gather in large numbers around the area where whales are present; they should reduce speed and turn off engines when observing from a distance. Low-flying drones, which generate significant noise, should also not be used.
According to experts, whales use low-frequency sound waves for orientation and communication, so noise from boat engines, loudspeakers, or aerial devices can disrupt the species' behavior and biological functions.
Hon Mun, located within the core zone of Nha Trang Bay marine protected area, is more than 10 km from the mainland and covers approximately 160 square kilometers. This area is known for its diverse coral ecosystem and diving spots. In 7/2025, a whale was also observed foraging here.
In recent years, whales have frequently appeared in the central coastal waters of Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, and Nha Trang. On 16/5, two whales, about 7-10 m long, were recorded hunting near Cu Lao Mai Nha island, O Loan commune, Dak Lak province.
Whales are large marine animals, long referred to by fishermen as "Ca Ong" (Lord Whale), revered as a guardian deity of the sea. In many coastal localities, when a whale washes ashore deceased, locals traditionally organize burials and worship ceremonies.
Bui Toan
