Vung Tau beach transformed: clean, tidy and healthy

Visitors who have returned to Bai Sau for the first time in a few years are unlikely to recognize it.

Gone are the once ever-present piles of garbage, and the outdoor eateries and drinks vendors are no more

A transformed Bai Sau beach, Vung Tau City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

The Vung Tau authorities have successfully made the beach more tourist-friendly by establishing order here since they began their efforts in April 2016.

The campaign initially encountered strong opposition from food vendors on the beach, as well as local tourist companies, who worried that banning the long-standing eateries would jeopardize the location’s popularity.

Despite this, the city’s leaders pushed forward, determined to complete their campaign.

No litter on Bai Sau beach, Vung Tau City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

Bai Sau beach now boasts pristine conditions, much to local residents’ surprise.

Additionally, extortionate prices on food and drinks, which used to be rampant in the area, are no longer a problem.

Tourism businesses are also benefiting from the makeover, as the beach is now a magnet for visitors, many of whom return, according to Le Thanh Lam, deputy director of the Bien Dong Resort, Vung Tau City.

Sunset at Bai Dua, one of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province’s other popular beaches.

The dramatic turnaround can be in part attributed to local news media, which threw their weight behind the beach-cleaning campaign and have continued supporting the destination since.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, Trinh Hang, director of the provincial department of tourism said, “moving forward, the government will look to implement codes of civil conduct in the area and host events attractive to tourists with a view to presenting Ba Ria-Vung Tau as a friendly and welcoming destination.”