Heavy rain, high tides and strong waves linked to a tropical depression eroded about 500 metres of coastline in My Thuy commune from September 11 to 13, cutting more than 15 metres inland in places.
The erosion washed away sand beneath a coastal road, causing cracks and subsidence, while waves carved banks nearly two metres high, dislodged concrete slabs and damaged lighting infrastructure.
The erosion has also damaged wells and aquaculture ponds near the beach. One business kiosk collapsed, two local shrines were swept away and sections of a roughly 500-metre coastal road were damaged.
Authorities ordered 12 businesses at My Thuy beach to evacuate as a safety precaution. Dozens of households living or working near the coast have also been affected and are included in land clearance plans for relocation and resettlement.
Two other village shrines are also at risk as waves have reached their foundations. Local authorities have agreed to move them to a safer site.
Cap Xuan Ta, chairman of the My Thuy Commune People's Committee, said local authorities had mobilised military personnel, border guards and residents to move boats and property to safer areas.
Authorities plan to focus on land clearance and moving households in areas at risk, while preparing measures to protect lives and property and help residents secure livelihoods after relocation.
Residents, however, remain concerned as they await compensation, relocation and resettlement plans.
My Thuy resident Nguyen Dinh Thong said erosion had hit homes and livelihoods, with the sea encroaching up to 200 metres inland. Residents believed the worsening erosion could be linked to construction of the My Thuy port project.
Another resident, Phan Thanh Hanh, who farms snails on about 1,000 square metres, said worsening erosion had damaged aquaculture wells and disrupted his family's production.
Residents have urged authorities to determine the cause and extent of the erosion and provide compensation and relocation support.
The My Thuy port project has so far completed land clearance on about 180.82 hectares of its planned 322.2 hectares, with My Thuy International Port Joint Venture Company paying about VND 191.86 billion in compensation and support.
Local authorities have asked relevant agencies to speed up compensation and land clearance, giving priority to My Thuy beach and households close to the shoreline.
They have also sought provincial authorities' attention to the environmental impact of construction at the port project.
Ta said the immediate priority was to protect lives and property while authorities worked on land clearance, resettlement and measures to help affected households restore their livelihoods.