The People’s Committee of Quang Nam Province announced the emergency, with Deputy Chairman Ho Quang Buu signing the decision in response to alarming coastal erosion at Tan Thanh beach in Cam An Ward, Hoi An City.

Triggered by strong northeastern monsoon winds and tidal surges, large waves have battered the coast, causing significant damage to the Tan Thanh shoreline.

Temporary embankments in the area have been destroyed, and large amounts of sand have been washed away.

The erosion spans approximately 225 meters, with an average depth of 5–7 meters, encroaching into inland areas and threatening residential properties, infrastructure, and local businesses.

Emergency response measures

To address the situation, local authorities have instructed Hoi An City to:

Install warning signs and barriers to cordon off hazardous areas.

Deploy guards to prevent residents and tourists from entering dangerous zones.

Implement urgent measures to mitigate damage and ensure public safety.

Residents and business owners along the affected coastline have resorted to purchasing sand and sewing large sandbags to create makeshift barriers in an attempt to protect their properties.

A long-standing crisis

Coastal erosion has plagued Hoi An’s 7.5-kilometer shoreline for years, with the severity and frequency of damage escalating.

The provincial and city governments have invested thousands of billions of dong in constructing various protective measures, including hard embankments, soft barriers, and submerged wave-breaking structures.

However, despite these efforts, natural forces continue to inflict severe damage on many sections of Hoi An’s coastline.

Ha Nam