Phu Yen to fine people trampling coral reefs in Yen Islet

The People's Committee of Phu Yen province on Tuesday requested local authorities to fine people who step on coral reefs at Hon Yen (Yen Islet), a national relic site.

The order was issued in response to media reports of coral reef damage by locals, tourists, and photographers.

Hon Yen (Yen Islet), 15 kilometers from Tuy Hoa town in Tuy An district, central coastal province of Phu Yen, is an ideal destination to explore coral reefs, often unveiled at low tide.

The local marine environment, however, has suffered from over-tourism. Numerous careless tourists have damaged or destroyed coral reefs by touching or walking on them.

The landscape cluster of Hon Yen, with coral reefs being the highlight, has been recognized as a national relic site, given its geological, cultural, historical, and floral diversity in April 2018.

Phu Yen is endowed with pristine beaches and breathtaking scenery along its nearly 125 miles of coastline. Along the coastal roads, the Hon Yen landscape cluster is connected to other famous sites like the Da Dia reef, Mai Nha and Hon Chua islets, Mon-Mui Dien Beach, and Vung Ro Bay.

Other prime attractions include the 110-spiral-stair Dai Lanh lighthouse; Nhan tower, a symbol of Cham poeple in Tuy Hoa town; the 120-year-old Mang Lang church in Tuy An district; and Ong Cop Bridge, the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam.

Vietnam, with over 3,000 kilometers of coastline and many stunning beaches, is home to a string of coral reefs. Some famous coral islands in the country are Son Tra peninsula in the central city of Danang, Nha Trang town’s Hon Mun Island in Khanh Hoa province and Phu Quoc Island, a retreat off Kien Giang province.