Responding to the Sea: A Story of Community Responsibility and Sustainable Tourism

Mr. Luke Weaving (British nationality) was in a group of tourists visiting Son Tra peninsula in the first days of the new year 2025. On the journey, they moved from Hoi An ancient town (Quang Nam) and then along the Hoang Sa – Vo Nguyen Giap coastal road of Da Nang. Sharing with the tour guide, Weaving excitedly said: “The beaches in Da Nang remind me of Miami”.

Miami is a famous beach in the state of Florida (USA), on the other side of the world, exactly 23 hours flight from My Khe beach. Now, standing in front of Da Nang beach, he said there are similarities between the two places in the green spaces. The green of the sea, the green of the sky and the green of the coconut trees stretching along the coast.

Greening the coast

These coconut trees were planted a few years ago. According to data from the City People’s Committee, since 2017, the city has invested in planting more than 1,400 coconut trees along the coastal roads of Trường Sa – Võ Nguyên Giáp – Hoàng Sa. After being affected by storms and heavy rains, 1,010 coconut trees are still growing well. Meanwhile, the coastal road of Nguyễn Tất Thành is covered with rows of casuarina trees. More greenery like this will appear in the near future as Da Nang implements its plan to plant coconut trees along the city’s beaches from late 2024 to 2025. The program aims to plant over 3,500 coconut trees along the coastline, contributing to landscape enhancement and coastal ecosystem protection.

Trần Đại Nghĩa, Deputy Head of the Sơn Trà Peninsula and Da Nang Tourism Beaches Management Board, stated that the initiative to plant 3,500 coconut trees aligns with the existing coconut trees planted along Võ Nguyên Giáp beach a few years ago. Coconut trees can thrive in nutrient-poor soil and withstand temperatures ranging from 20°C to 34°C, making them well-suited to the harsh weather conditions of the beach. Additionally, coconut trees help control erosion, protect the shoreline, enhance the landscape, create a green and aesthetic environment along the beach, and contribute to a sustainable and green urban landscape.

Alongside the lush greenery of coconut trees, Da Nang’s coastal tourism space has been invested in for many years with grassy areas, flower gardens, seaside parks, and various destinations to serve both locals and tourists, creating a beautiful urban landscape. Along popular tourist beaches such as Bắc Mỹ An, Mỹ Khê, and Mân Thái, visitors can easily find shaded rest stops under coconut trees to enjoy the fresh sea breeze. These could be a café decorated in the style of an old fishing village or a resort with panoramic ocean views.

Developing the coastal landscape with green spaces was also discussed during the 21st session of the 10th Da Nang City People’s Council for the 2021-2026 term. Addressing the management and effective utilization of Nguyễn Tất Thành Beach, Nguyễn Thành Tiến, Secretary of the Thanh Khê District Party Committee, shared at the session: “Nguyễn Tất Thành Beach is often affected by storms and strong winds, so it is necessary to increase tree planting to create a protective green belt with two suitable tree species: coconut and casuarina. This green belt aligns with Da Nang’s general urban planning direction toward 2030, with a vision to 2045, in creating a green corridor connecting Sơn Trà and Hải Vân. If this initiative is decentralized to the local level, it could mobilize social resources for implementation.”

The Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches has received 1,220 coconut trees from the mobilization and support of individuals and units. These coconut trees will cover the coastal area stretching from Vuong Thua Vu Street – Man Thai Beach – Son Tra Border Guard Station – Nguyen Phan Vinh Street.

Behave well with the sea space

In addition to promoting coconut tree planting, the Sơn Trà Peninsula and Da Nang Tourism Beaches Management Board has issued official notices reminding beachfront restaurants and hotels to ensure environmental cleanliness around their business areas. This initiative aims to prevent negative impacts on the natural landscape and the experience of tourists at Da Nang’s beaches. It is a matter of the community’s “shared responsibility” for the beach in particular and the environment as a whole. Among those in the tourism industry, there is a shared understanding: “Respecting the coastal environment is also a step toward building a sustainable tourism brand.”

For years, the Furama-Ariyana Danang International Tourism Complex has prioritized the preservation of its coastal natural environment, attracting more than 30 species of wild birds that frequently visit the area. Gentzsch Andre Pierre, General Manager of the complex, stated: “With core values that include social responsibility and environmental protection, we are deeply committed to preserving the coastal landscape, contributing to environmental improvement in Da Nang, enhancing quality of life, and promoting sustainable tourism development.”

Last autumn, the Da Nang Tourism Association, Da Nang Hotel Association, and Ariyana International Convention Center Da Nang co-organized the 2024 Barefoot Beach Run, which attracted nearly 1,000 participants. The event provided a healthy sports activity while raising community awareness about marine environmental protection. Additionally, the Da Nang Tourism Association and Da Nang Hotel Association continue to encourage and support member hotels and resorts in maintaining clean beaches, ensuring a safe and eco-friendly tourism environment.

Regarding the message of “behaving well with the sea space”, Mr. Gentzsch Andre Pierre proposed the idea of ​​a coastal environmental route. There will be information stations with boards sharing meaningful environmental initiatives and programs – such as coconut planting, to help visitors understand and spread the story of environmental protection in Da Nang and be able to contribute to this journey.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Duc Quynh, Vice President of Da Nang Tourism Association, President of Da Nang Hotel Association proposed to strengthen communication and education programs on marine environmental protection: “Activities such as seminars, communication campaigns on social networks and real events at the beach can help raise public awareness. Organize writing contests about Da Nang sea for tourists to build the brand of a favorite beach resort destination”. Behaving well with the sea is a way for the community to overcome and preserve the green colors from the land, from the sea, from the sky, for a sustainable future.

Source: XUÂN SƠN (báo Danang Online)