Beaches in Phan Thiet, the capital and resort city of the south-central province of Binh Thuan, are being gradually erased by severe coastal erosion, leaving resort owners fearing for their properties.

Along a two-kilometer coastline in Ham Tien Ward, erosion has turned land into sea, with the width of beaches being reduced by around 25-35 meters.

While some resorts erect temporary dykes to fight off the erosion, others have seen their properties being engulfed by the intruding water, leaving large, dangerous cavities along the shoreline.

The most severely hit area belongs to the Rach Dua Resort in Ham Tien Ward, which has been shut down for repairs after water destroyed its walls and washed away a restaurant located inside the resort.

Most resorts in Phan Thiet have reported seeing their once beautiful beaches being turned into concrete structures and sandbag walls in order to prevent further erosion.

Pham Thi Hong Phuong, owner of FullMoon Resort in Phan Thiet, said she had never seen erosion activities so rampant in the city as in recent months.

Local resort owners are now sitting on fire, uncertain when their properties will be destroyed by the ocean, Phuong said.

Resorts and beaches are destroyed by coastal erosion in Phan Thiet City in the south-central province of Binh Thuan. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Resorts and beaches are destroyed by coastal erosion in Phan Thiet City in the south-central province of Binh Thuan. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Thuan Province admits coastal erosion is now worse than when it was first reported in March, with the length of affected coastline doubling from one kilometer to two kilometers.

Tidal activities as well as fierce waves and strong winds have been named as reasons for increased coastal erosion, according to authorities.

The erection of unlicensed makeshift dykes along the shoreline by local resorts have actually worsened the situation, as not only are such structures ineffective against erosion in the long run, they also cause water to flow into unprotected areas, causing the erosion to spread even further.

The general aesthetics of Phan Thiet beaches is also affected by such non-uniform structures, said Ngo Ngoc Dung chairman of Ham Tien Ward.

“We have reported the situation to higher-level bodies, but things have not changed,” Dung said.

Makeshift dykes are erected by resorts in Phan Thiet City to prevent coastal erosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Makeshift dykes are erected by resorts in Phan Thiet City to prevent coastal erosion. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Tourists sunbathe on a beach in Phan Thiet City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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