Tuan Nui was among five restaurants that would be removed during the raid.
According to local authorities, these restaurants were illegally built on forest land. The owners of the restaurants had earlier been informed about their violations and fined between VND 5-12.50 million. They had also been asked to remove their illegal constructions before April 17 but failed to comply.
A report released by the Danang Inspectorate in 2016 found 68 constructions including houses, temporary shops, restaurants and other business facilities were illegally built on Son Tra Peninsula between 1997-2010. However, only 10 of them have been removed over the past six years due to legal issues. Local authorities have announced that they would try to remove all of them by 2025.
Located just 10 kilometres from the centre of Danang, Son Tra is the only peninsula in Vietnam that boasts a natural forest ecosystem linked with the sea, and it has become an ideal destination for holidaymakers.
The Son Tra Nature Reserve, which is 600m above sea level, is known for its rich biodiversity, with 287 animal species and 985 plant species. The reserve has shrunk from more than 4,400ha to 2,500ha to make room for dozens of resorts and hotels in the area.
The government has issued a plan to turn Son Tra Peninsula into a nature reserve and national tourist complex focused on biodiversity and environmental conservation.
