Police and environmental authorities in Bac Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, have fined two tourists after they illegally broke and collected more than 10 kilograms of protected coral from the Hon Chong coastal area, a temporary marine conservation zone.

The case first came to light after images circulated on social media showing a group of people walking along Hon Chong Beach carrying large pieces of coral believed to have been collected from the nearby reef.

Local residents reported the incident to authorities, prompting an immediate investigation.

Police identify the group

On the morning of July 19, Dam Hai Van, head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, said his agency had coordinated with the People's Committee of Bac Nha Trang Ward and other relevant authorities to verify the incident.

After receiving the report, officials inspected the site and began collecting evidence to determine whether environmental protection laws had been violated.

According to Le Dai Duong, Chairman of the Bac Nha Trang Ward People's Committee, local police quickly identified the group involved.

The visitors were staying at a hotel on Bac Son Street and were invited to meet with investigators.

At the same time, police officers and officials from the Nha Trang Bay Management Board documented the scene and prepared official reports in accordance with legal procedures.

Authorities initially withheld information about whether the group consisted of local residents or tourists while the investigation was ongoing.

More than 10 kilograms of coral damaged

Police later confirmed that the group consisted of 10 visitors staying at a hotel in Bac Nha Trang Ward.

Two men, identified by their initials V.V.B. and V.V.Y., both from Trang Bom, Dong Nai City, were found to have directly collected protected branching hard coral.

According to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, approximately 10.5 kilograms (23 pounds) of Acropora coral - a branching reef-building coral listed as a protected species under Vietnam's regulations governing endangered, precious and rare aquatic species and Appendix II of CITES - had been broken off and removed.

The group reportedly traveled from Dong Nai to Nha Trang for a holiday.

On the afternoon of July 18, they visited Hon Chong Beach for swimming before the two men collected coral as souvenirs, later telling authorities they were unaware the area was part of a protected marine zone.

The damage was noticed by local residents, who photographed the incident and alerted the authorities.

Administrative fines imposed

Later on July 19, Bac Nha Trang Ward authorities issued administrative penalties against the two individuals.

Each was fined VND 25 million (US$960), bringing the total penalty to VND 50 million (US$1,920) for illegally exploiting protected aquatic species.

According to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, the reef near Hon Chong covers approximately 11 hectares (27 acres) and includes both recovering coral reefs and colonies estimated to be five to ten years old.

From May through August 2026, authorities established a temporary protection zone covering the Hon Chong–Dang Tat coastal area to support coral reef recovery.

The management board has also regularly warned kayak operators and visitors not to enter protected reef areas and has urged tourists to avoid activities that could damage the fragile marine ecosystem.

Vietnamese regulations prohibit entering protected coral reef and seagrass areas for fishing or any activities that harm marine ecosystems.

Violations are subject to administrative penalties or other legal action, depending on the severity of the offense.

Xuan Ngoc