'Lobster islands' in Cam Ranh Bay off limits to tourists

The south-central province of Khanh Hoa has reinforced the government’s ban against tourism activities on Binh Ba and Binh Hung “lobster islands” in Cam Ranh Bay to assure national security.

Binh Ba is the largest island in Cam Ranh Bay, home to a military base of the same name. Binh Ba and Binh Hung Island nearby, both better known among holidaymakers as “lobster islands”, have become popular destinations in Khanh Hoa despite a government order of “no tourism activities” that took effect late 2015.

Provincial authorities have also ordered a clean-up of relevant tourism information on websites and social networks.

A notice has been sent to the province’s Department of Tourism, Department of Information and Communications, Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, and Tourism Promotion Information Center to assure a stop to all tourism activities on the two islands.

Under the government request in 2015, investment projects in Khanh Hoa and nearby Ninh Thuan province that have connection with the Cam Ranh military base area must be sent to the Ministry of National Defense before government approval.