Local residents gathered at the dock site, blocking traffic and then flocked to the headquarters of Hai Ha Commune People's Committee to voice their opposition to the project.

Speaking to  VietNamNet, a local resident, Ms. Dong Thi Nen, 63, said that she had joined in the protest for a week.

“Local authorities hadn't informed us anything about the construction of the project which is being built in the area where we used to catch fish and anchor our fishing boats," Nen said. "We have worked as fishermen for generations in this area but now the project has badly affected our job."

According to local people, there are currently 415 fishing boats with 1,042 people operating in the area.

According to the vice chairman of Nghi Son Commune People's Committee, Mai Sy Lan, the project is part of the Nghi Son Economic Zone which is one of the country's eight key coastal economic zones.

"The Long Son Container Port is an important project in the province's socio-economic development," the official said. "The construction of the project has been carried out based on a legal basis following the government's planning."

Lan said that after the construction of the dock, there will still be an area of 10 hectares for local fishermen to anchor their boats.

“We hope that people will support the project," he added. "We're also building a resettlement area and plan to relocate all residents in Hai Ha Commune by the end of 2024."