Quang Nam: measures sought for sustainable coast protection

Domestic and international experts gathered at a workshop in the central province of Quang Nam on July 9 to seek sustainable measures to protect local coasts.

Sandbags are deployed to protect Cua Dai beach (Photo: VNA)
Sandbags are deployed to protect Cua Dai beach (Photo: VNA)

The event was part of a project studying coastal erosion in Hoi An and solutions to sustainable coast protection funded by the Agency of French Development (AFD).
Participants heard reports on the causes of landslides at river mouths and coastal areas, including Cua Dai beach, and shared international experience in addressing erosion due to the impact of changes in hydrometeorology and coastal currents.

They also discussed the preliminary results of hydrodynamic calculation in Hoi An’s Cua Dai beach, thus proposing measures to deal with coastal erosion.

In the framework of the workshop, two training courses on the French and Japanese approaches to coast protection were organised.

According to Nguyen Kim Dan from the France’s Paris-Est University, the project aims to figure out the best way to protect Hoi An coastal areas sustainably.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Tri Thanh said recently that coastal erosion has become more serious in Hoi An, especially in Cua Dai. The project is expected to open up a new approach to effective protection of the local beaches, he said.

Cua Dai beach, which is 5km from Hoi An's old quarter, is a favourite location for tourists visiting the UNESCO-recognised ancient city.

It is 7.6km long and was 3km away from the shore 40 years ago. However, in recent years, erosion has eaten into the land at an alarming level.

Erosion has come closer to the main section of the 1.5km road connecting the beach with Hoi An, threatening dozens of resorts. Rising sea levels have already washed a 20-hectare area of the Cua Dai beach away.