BBQ banned on Vung Tau beach

Ba Ria-Vung Tau (VNA) – Tourists will no longer be able to have a barbeque feast on the Vung Tau beach as the coastal city is seeking a better environment for tourists.

The ban on all food businesses on the beach – mostly seafood BBQ provided by local tourism cooperatives – officially comes into effect on April 26.

“No cleaning up after meals left the beach very dirty and polluted,” the municipal People’s Committee Deputy Chairwoman Truong Thi Huong said.

The pleasure of eating freshly-cooked seafood with a beer on the 1,200m beach had become the norm for tourists visiting this southern city.

Reports by the Vung Tau People’s Committee reveal there are some 100 businesses, under the management of the two largest tourism cooperatives Vung Tau and Thuy Van, which rent beach chairs and provide cooking services to the beachgoers.

“Tourists can now have their meals at restaurants or bistros near the beach. Cooperative members who want to continue their businesses can move to the busy Vung Tau tourism market instead,” Huong said.

It will take a while for tourists to get used to the ban. The authorities are deploying officers at the entrance to the beach to inform visitors not to bring raw food or alcohol to the beachfront.

“The officers will direct them to the Vung Tau tourism market where they can cook the food,” she said.

She added tourists are still allowed to bring cooked food and non-alcoholic drinks to the beach. Those who do not clear their trash will be fined.

More trash bins will also be placed along the beach soon.-VNA