Many foreigners in Hoi An City, located in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam, have been helping local residents and authorities fortify the embankment along a beach to prepare for the arrival of Storm Saudel.

Military and public security forces began reinforcing the coastline at Hoi An’s An Bang Beach in Cam An Ward on October 19, after it was severely damaged by unusually strong waves triggered by extreme weather conditions.

Local authorities have called on civilians and volunteers to assist the effort as Storm Saudel, the eight to batter Vietnam this year, is closing in on the mainland in central provinces.

Aside from local residents, a lot of foreigners did not hesitate to participate in the activity.

Hoi An is a special city and it will be a pity if the city loses its attractiveness due to damaged beaches, Joe, a U.S. citizen, stated, adding that all people, including foreigners, should join hands to save the local coastline.

Joe and his wife, who were both personal trainers back in the U.S., visited Hoi An earlier this year and decided to stay here following the outbreak of the pandemic.

The couple usually swim at An Bang Beach and think they must do something to help save the beach.

Another foreigner from Australia said he was very happy to do a meaningful thing alongside local residents in Hoi An.

Alwy, a 48-year-old Australian woman, did not show any sign of fatigue as she pushed a cart filled with sandbags to the site of the embankment.

The foreigner has lived in Hoi An for eight years and recently began teaching online bartender courses due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

British national Duncan, who has been assisting the effort with his two friends over the past days, stated that it is important to protect the beach and environment in general for the sake of the community.

Statistics from local authorities showed that about 1,200 foreigners are living in Hoi An City.

Among them, about 300 families have been staying in Hoi An Ancient Town, a tourist spot and UNESCO heritage site located at the heart of the city.

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