Hoi An needs to put an end to the practice of people spreading mats on the beach for eating and drinking.

Mats are spread out everywhere for guests to sit, relax, and eat and drink on An Bang beach on the afternoon of April 30th - Photo: BD

"A series of beautiful beaches, stretching for kilometers from Cua Dai to An Bang in the heart of a tourist area like Hoi An, are often cluttered with people swimming and eating in different areas. The city will reorganize them to create a more orderly environment," pledged Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City.

Tourists spread mats on the beach to drink beer and eat.

The stretch of coastline in Hoi An, from An Bang to Cua Dai ward, was once considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world .

The sloping coastline, with its fine sand stretching along rows of ancient coconut trees and embracing upscale resorts, is a major attraction for tourists.

However, since 2018, coastal erosion has dampened tourism. Recently, thanks to the construction of an underwater dike, the beach has gradually regained its sand. Tourists are flocking back, bringing about a resurgence of bustling businesses and shops.

The recent April 30th and May 1st holidays witnessed an "overwhelming" number of tourists. Along the long stretch of sand, especially An Bang beach opposite the road leading to the old town center, people crowded together, enjoying themselves and swimming in the sea.

But this bustling scene also included groups of people huddled together, spreading mats on the sand to eat and drink. Next to these mats, swimmers continued to swim, and those eating continued to eat as usual, while street vendors constantly called out to their customers.

Just a few steps away, the rows of restaurants stood in a desolate scene. Crowds of tourists flocked to the beach, but the food and beverage establishments on the shore were virtually unprofitable.

Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan, owner of Deckhouse An Bang restaurant, lamented: "Foreign tourists see people spreading mats on the beach, eating, drinking, and shouting, and they leave. They say that eating and drinking like that is unprofessional and unhygienic."

Mats are spread out for visitors on An Bang beach on the afternoon of April 30th - Photo: BD

Hoi An is wasting its coastal space.

Acknowledging the current unsightly state of Hoi An's beaches, many businesses believe that planning is necessary to create more services for tourists. This is especially important given that Asian and domestic tourists visiting Hoi An have complained about a lack of experiences tailored to their needs.

Mr. Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Duy Nhat Indochina Tourism Company, believes that the tourism market is witnessing a boom in Asian tourists.

This group of tourists has a particular fondness for the sea. Visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, etc., have accounted for 51.2% of the total visitors to Hoi An in recent years.

According to Mr. Thuy, Hoi An boasts many beautiful beaches including Cua Dai, An Bang, Tan Thanh… However, there is currently no guidance or information from the authorities, and many beaches lack management boards, posing a safety risk to visitors. Some areas are also very chaotic and not properly organized.

Mr. Thuy suggested that the government should invest in upgrading infrastructure at the beaches and increase funding for promotion to attract tourists. In addition, they should work alongside businesses that host beach activities and events.

Other tourism businesses also believe that the beach is a new tourism space for Hoi An. An Bang beach was once ranked among the top 5 most beautiful beaches in Asia.

Given the shifting tourist market and the increasing number of beach-loving visitors, it is necessary to re-plan and reorganize the Hoi An coastline to create recreational areas and service facilities for tourists.

Too much trash to collect.

At the meeting, Mr. Dinh Dung, chairman of the People's Committee of Cam An commune, said that during the recent April 30th holiday, An Bang beach welcomed 15,000 people per day, mostly locals. The large number of people meant that even with two trucks and 11 people working tirelessly, garbage collection was sometimes insufficient.

Mr. Dung said that spreading out mats and tarpaulins for eating and drinking on the beach used to be allowed, but "now it's only permitted in a small area at both ends; definitely not in the central area of ​​Cam An beach." However, observations by reporters during the April 30th and May 1st holidays showed mats spread out densely along the beach.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoi-an-can-dep-nan-trai-chieu-an-nhau-tren-bai-bien-20240509174409523.htm