Authorities on Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam began dismantling the bungalows that were previously found being built illegally above the water within a protected marine area.

The removal of eight overwater bungalows and bridges that encroach on the Phu Quoc protected maritime area was initiated on Monday morning, according to Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of the island’s administration.

Covering about 524.6 square meters, the facilities belong to a local resident named Mai Tien Dung.

On September 15, the Phu Quoc People’s Committee issued the order to dismantle the illegal bungalows owned by Dung and another resident, Le Van Boul.

However, competent authorities encouraged the owners to remove them on a voluntary basis.

If they fail to comply with the order, authorities would carry out the dismantling themselves.

Authorities pull down the illegal overwater bungalows on Phu Quoc Island off southern Vietnam, October 31, 2022 in this supplied photo.

As of Friday last week, Boul had already pulled down his illegal constructions and had restored the original conditions of a 1,501-square-meters section of the protected maritime area.

Meanwhile, Dung initially said he would dismantle his bungalows before November 8 but later said he needed assistance from local authorities.

The illegal overwater bungalows in the Phu Quoc protected maritime area were previously detected and reported by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondents in mid-August.

Regarding the 79 villas that were discovered being built against the law in Duong To Commune, Phu Quoc, in late September, authorities are making procedures to pull down the constructions in accordance with the law.

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