At Cua Dai Beach, in Hoi An Dong Ward, high tides and strong waves in early November destroyed sections of temporary embankments and swept away seaside stalls. Even areas reinforced with around 250 metres of soft embankments were not spared.
Sandbags used as wave barriers have ruptured, while parts of the beach have been gouged out by 3-5 metres, forming dangerous overhangs. The erosion has pushed inland, threatening hotels, resorts, businesses and residential areas along the coast.
Cua Dai Beach severely eroded (Photo: Ngo Linh)
According to Nguyen Van Vinh, a 56-year-old resident of Hoi An Dong Ward, coastal erosion had worsened sharply during this year’s storm season.
“Strong waves driven by storms have caused much more severe erosion than before. We hope urgent solutions can be put in place to protect the shoreline,” he said.
Tran Tan Dung, chairman of the Hoi An Dong ward People’s Committee, said the Cua Dai coastline is in an alarming state, with only a narrow strip of beach left and a high risk of further erosion without long-term solutions.
The erosion has worsened after recent storms (Photo: Ngo Linh)
At Tan Thanh Beach in Hoi An Tay Ward, more than 3 kilometres of coastline has also been severely eroded, particularly along Nguyen Phan Vinh Street. Waves driven by the northeast monsoon and high tides have continued to eat into the shoreline.
Nguyen Thi Ha, 67, who runs a guesthouse in Tan Thanh, said her family has spent more than 3 billion dong (about USD 120,000) over the past three years on makeshift embankments and sandbags, “but it feels like pouring sand into the sea”.
Several of Hoi An’s best-known beaches, including An Bang, Cua Dai and Tan Thanh, are now facing serious erosion, placing tourism businesses under growing pressure.
Tourists walk on sandbags used to protect the shoreline at Cua Dai Beach (Photo: Ngo Linh)
“If erosion continues, it will severely affect tourism revenue and the destination’s image. Without timely solutions, Hoi An’s beaches may not be restored,” Ha said.
Danang’s Civil Defence Department said nearly 3.5 kilometres of coastline in Hoi An Dong and Hoi An Tay wards has been eroded, with seawater pushing 7-10 metres inland in many areas and up to 25-30 metres in some, threatening nearby communities.
Erosion has persisted for years and worsens during each storm season, as strong waves steadily strip away sand and narrow the natural beach, heightening concerns over long-term environmental and economic damage.