Visitors to Non Nuoc Beach in Da Nang City, central Vietnam have been pleasantly surprised to find a free life jacket station set up along the shoreline this month, thanks to an initiative sponsored by the Youth Union and the Red Cross of Hoa Hai Ward in Ngu Hanh Son District.

Non Nuoc Beach, widely considered Da Nang’s most breathtaking shoreline, was recently recognized by the UK's Telegraph media outlet as one of the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world, alongside the city’s My Khe Beach.

Vo Anh Vu, a student at FPT University in Da Nang, visited Non Nuoc Beach earlier this month with some friends and was delighted to be able to use a free life jacket.

"Having life jackets available here is really helpful, especially during the summer when so many people come to the beach because not everyone can bring their own life jacket," Vu said.

Ho Anh, also a tourist, recently visited Non Nuoc Beach with his child and was thankful to be able to borrow a well-fitted life jacket for the kid.

Knowing his child could enjoy the water safely enhanced the beauty and hospitality of Da Nang and its beaches, he said.

Visitors who took advantage of the initiative were thankful that they were able to use the service without a time limit, as long as they promised to return the life jackets to the stand once they finished swimming.

The station is conveniently located near the beach’s regulation sign, making it easy to find.

According to Tran Van Thanh, a lifeguard at Non Nuoc Beach, the initiative will be very beneficial if it is well maintained.

Most people who borrow the jackets are mindful of returning them to the right place, but there are still a few who lack awareness and leave the jackets on the beach.

Nguyen Nho Hoai, secretary of the Youth Union in Hoa Hai Ward, explained that the ward boasts seven kilometers of coastline and attracts large numbers of beachgoers daily.

The life jackets, Hoai said, are funded by members of the Hoa Hai Youth Union.

"Every week, our young volunteers take turns checking and organizing the life jackets at the station," Hoai said.

“In the near future, we plan to add more jackets in various sizes to better meet the needs of both locals and tourists."

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