Don't destroy the coral reefs.

(PLVN) - Coral reefs are considered the "roof" - the habitat, feeding ground, and breeding place for thousands of marine creatures. Coral reefs are also unique and fascinating natural landscapes on the seabed, with potential for the development of marine ecotourism... However, many people are saddened and regretful to see that these once breathtakingly beautiful coral reefs are now in a state of ruin, barrenness, bleaching, or destruction.

Actions that harm the "home" of marine life.

Exploring the enchanting beauty of coral reefs beneath the sea is a passion and favorite pastime for many tourists. Vietnam's waters boast numerous coral reef areas that thrive, forming diverse communities. Notable examples include Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang), Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong), Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh), and Hon Chong (Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa)... These areas are all attractive destinations for scuba diving enthusiasts.

When the tide recedes in the evening, especially on a full moon, the coral reef becomes clearly visible. Many locals and tourists, out of curiosity, wade far from shore to admire the coral, play with it, and trample on it, affecting the marine ecosystem and coral reefs in the area.

In mid-May 2025, a nearly one-minute-long video clip shared on social media with the caption: "No need to travel far, no need for tours, you can still see fish and coral right at Hon Chong beach, Nha Trang" attracted many views. The clip showed a male TikToker diving, filming close-ups of coral, sea urchins, and fish swimming in the clear water. He stated that Hon Chong is a familiar "check-in" spot, "but few people know that you can dive and see fish right here." This clip quickly faced much opposition. Many people worried that the dissemination of images of diving and coral viewing would encourage spontaneous activities, negatively impacting the marine ecosystem, especially since this area has a strictly protected coral reef.

The Nha Trang Bay Management Board has disseminated information, urged the TikToker to learn from his mistake, and called on the community to join hands in protecting the actively recovering coral reefs in the Hon Chong area. According to the Nha Trang City authorities, along Pham Van Dong road – the section near Hon Chong beach – there are warning signs prohibiting entry into areas with coral reefs and seagrass beds, and prohibiting fishing. Violations may be subject to administrative fines ranging from 50 to 100 million VND.

Some tourists even come here to pry off coral, taking it home to use in miniature landscapes or for their aquarium businesses; the anchoring of boats and fishing in protected areas, and especially the lack of awareness among tourists, also contribute to the damage to the coral.

In fact, many people are unaware that coral is a living organism, and the increased demand for it has fueled the destruction of this ecosystem. In a travel program broadcast on singer Q.'s personal YouTube channel, he and singer P. are shown sitting on a coral reef. While swimming and diving, their feet touched coral branches at Gầm Ghì Island (Phú Quốc, Kiên Giang). Meanwhile, at Gành Yến (Thanh Thủy village, Bình Hải commune, Bình Sơn district, Quảng Ngãi), a group of people came to admire the coral, then dug it up and put it in plastic bags to take home.

Representatives from the Nha Trang Bay Management Board expressed their hope: “We hope that every citizen and tourist will become an active advocate, refraining from illegal encroachment on coral reefs, minimizing contact while swimming and diving, and equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge. The collective efforts of the community will help protect the precious natural values ​​that Nha Trang is striving to preserve.”

Besides the damage caused to coral reefs by some tourists, whether intentionally or unintentionally, coral bleaching and mass coral death are also occurring due to climate and natural factors. The Con Dao National Park Management Board was concerned when a portion of the coral reefs in areas such as Con Son Bay, Hon Bay Canh, Hon Cau, etc., were experiencing bleaching and death at an alarming rate. Previously, many tourists, after participating in snorkeling and coral viewing services at the fascinating Hon Seo island and marine tourism destination in Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon city, expressed disappointment because the coral reefs in that area were almost completely gone.

Coral reef degradation is the result of many contributing factors. Among them, factors such as rising global temperatures, storms, and outbreaks of predators significantly impact the health of the ecosystem. It is known that the ideal living temperature for coral ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. However, the seabed water temperature in the Con Dao area, as recorded by authorities, reached 31 degrees Celsius, likely due to the El Niño phenomenon causing the seabed water to warm up. The high seawater temperature causes corals to expel living algae from their tissues, leading to the loss of vibrant colors and causing bleaching. For Nha Trang Bay, results published in 2020 showed that the bleaching rate of hard corals reached 39.5%.

There is a need to raise awareness among the community and tourists.

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the ocean. The beauty of coral is unforgettable for anyone who has ever seen it. Corals possess a wondrous beauty, in countless colors. Some corals have branching stems resembling deer antlers, some are hard corals that form clusters radiating outwards like church roofs, some spread out along the seabed like mushrooms, and some release delicate, silken threads to catch prey, like the flowing hair of a fairy…

The true value of coral reefs – also known as underwater rainforests – is far greater than their stunning appearance. Coral reefs are like forests on the seabed, with multiple layers and extensive coverage, providing habitat and breeding grounds for benthic organisms and fish. Corals also offer numerous economic benefits to humans: coastal protection, tourism, and habitats for fisheries. Therefore, if coral reefs are severely degraded, it will lead to a decline in benthic animal and fish resources. It takes thousands, even millions of years, for a coral reef to thrive. If an area is bleached, the coral may never recover.

Current state of coral reefs at Hon Chong. (Photo: Nha Trang Bay Management Board)

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, a leading expert on marine environmental resources, stated: “The market for scuba diving and coral reef viewing tourism services has developed rapidly and aggressively, but lacks institutionalization and effective monitoring and control tools. Many scuba diving services operate spontaneously – trial dives without requiring diving certifications and failing to comply with coral reef protection regulations, allowing tourists to trample on coral, or the concentration of large numbers of tourists at a single location, which almost completely flattens the coral reefs in a short time. Coral reef conservation is severely impacted, leading to serious degradation. This is a problem that has been warned about before.”

According to a conservation expert, the immediate solution is to temporarily close degraded coral reef areas and strictly protect areas where coral remains. Scientists need to monitor the coral reefs' natural recovery process to provide conservation recommendations; absolutely no trampling on coral, anchoring boats, or fishing in protected areas should be allowed.

To best protect coral reefs, in addition to regularly monitoring, patrolling, and supervising coral reef protection zones (which could include installing cameras and posting signs), authorities need to strengthen public awareness campaigns and educate the community at tourist destinations and through travel agencies. Simultaneously, comprehensive management measures are needed to control coastal waste discharged into the sea and to clean up debris on coral reefs.

Travel agencies need to guide tourists on codes of conduct for environmentally friendly travel, require them to sign a commitment to abide by the rules when participating in tourism activities, and agree to penalties for violations.

In particular, many travel experts advise tourists, when snorkeling or diving to avoid touching or even lightly damaging the coral reefs. Scientists recommend that tourists and divers maintain a distance from coral because simply using oxygen tanks or searching for shells can stir up sediment and suffocate the coral. Even dead or discolored coral should not be touched, as these are often shelters for other marine life. Tourists should only observe or photograph coral reefs from a distance of 20-30 cm. Boats can also cause serious damage to coral reefs in shallow waters. If using a personal boat, protect the coral by using mooring ropes or only dropping anchor in sandy areas.

According to Government Decree No. 38/2024/ND-CP, a fine of 50-100 million VND will be imposed for acts of destroying aquatic resources, aquatic ecosystems, areas where aquatic species concentrate for breeding or living; destroying the habitat of aquatic species on the list of endangered, rare, and precious aquatic species...

Bao Chau

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/dung-tan-pha-san-ho-post550330.html