In a recent field trip to Cua Dai, witnessing the sedimentation and erosion of the beach, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cornelia Van Nieuwenhuizen suggested building artificial islands in this waters.

Dutch experts also saud that the Netherlands have experience in the issue and they are willing to give technical support to Vietnam in implementing the project.

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Vu Trong Hong said that the idea of setting up artificial islands in front of the estuary under sedimentation and erosion and complex conditions (coastal currents that cause erosion, and sea currents) is not feasible.

Hong went on to say that there are not sufficient conditions to build artificial islands. First of all, there must be an island foundation. Cua Dai has no coral reef ground, but is a seaport with silt and deposited sand, affected by waves.

“It would be easy to build islands by just pouring sand into the sea. But will the sand-made islands be able to survive big waves and strong winds?” Hong said.

Erosion also occurs at Cua Dai. Vietnamese scientists, after research, came to the conclusion that the sand bank on Cua Dai sea took shape 30 years ago, and saif the sand bank may not be stable.

Hong said it is still necessary to keep watch to find where it would go in tens of years more.

In principle, it’s necessary to consider financial resources when planning sea-encroachment projects. It would be better not to implement projects in the context of limited resources.

In this case, if an artificial island is set up, this would be a big island created but may drift away just after a few waves.

Regarding the Dutch experience in building artificial islands, Hong pointed out that the country can do that only with prerequisite conditions.

The Dutch have to rely on long-lasting sediment as a firm foundation to encroach on the sea. To build an artificial island, the sea waves must not be high and the coastal current must not be strong. Both two conditions are not available at Cua Dai.

Regarding the plan on artificial islands suggested by the Netherlands, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Tran Hong Ha said the two sides will need time to conduct thorough research before making a decision, because the area is near the Cu Lao Cham biosphere reserve, a marine protected area, and usually bears impact from strong winds, typhoons and big waves.

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