Head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, Huynh Binh Thai, said that they were co-operating with the Institute of Oceanography to inspect the current state of the coral reef around the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area and will resume diving activities in some areas that have seen improvements.

"We're going to relaunch diving services in some areas with limited numbers of passengers and close monitoring to ensure the development of the coral reef," Thai said. "Visitors must have international diving certificates to participate in the service."

Lying some 10 kilometres from shore, the Hon Mun Islands have become a favourite diving destination in Nha Trang thanks to their beautiful coral reefs.

However, local authorities had to suspend all tourism diving services in mid 2022 after investigations showed mass dying of the coral reefs in the area.

According to the investigations, the reef degradation in the bay, especially at Hon Mun Marine Protected Area, was caused by climate change and some strong storms as well as the loose management and coordination among relevant departments, sectors, and localities, along with impacts of improper human activities such as illegal fishing, unregulated coastal construction, and waste release from tourism activities.

"The coral coverage in the waters to the southeast and northwest of Hon Mun Island declined to 11.15 percent (poor condition) in 2022, down from 52.2 percent (good condition) in 2015," the management board said. "After over a year suspending diving activities and recovery efforts, the coral coverage in this area has now reached some 74.50 percent."

Source: Dtinews