By April 19, much of the formation in front of Tran Phu Beach had been pushed ashore, replenishing nearby beaches, while the remainder was engulfed by rising tides.
Residents said that at low tide only a faint outline of the sandbar remains visible, no longer prominent enough for walking or sightseeing.
The feature, more than 100 metres long and about 50 metres wide, emerged in January after seasonal floods carried sediment downstream along the Cai River. Seen from above, it resembled a giant dolphin facing the open sea and quickly became a popular photo spot.
Local authorities said such formations are temporary, shaped by shifting currents and wave action, and typically disappear within a short period as coastal dynamics change.
