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Destinations known | Vietnam’s Nam O Beach in Da Nang hits headlines with its litter-strewn sands, highlighting a far bigger problem in the city

  • Nam O Beach went viral this month as an annual phenomenon drew crowds, but it was the rubbish they left behind that provided the bigger talking point
  • Da Nang’s rubbish troubles don’t end at the beach, however, with the city described as a ‘giant refuse site’ and that it is ‘no wonder tourists rarely return’

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People buy seafood from local fishermen on Nam O Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. Large quantities of rubbish left on the beach recently caused concern in the city. Photo: Shutterstock

The colour green has become symbolic of environmental integrity and, on traffic lights and elsewhere, an indication that you should proceed.

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But in Da Nang, Vietnam, it has signalled a procession to the seaside for a spot of environmental trashing.

The city’s Nam O Beach went viral and made headlines this month as an annual phenomenon drew the crowds and their camera phones, reports the Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Spring’s warming weather aids the growth of green sea moss on the beach’s grey rocks. The effect, with ocean waves crashing in the background, creates a “stunning backdrop for photos”, explains the newspaper.

“Soon, the location became known as a ‘check-in point,’ with thousands of local residents and tourists flocking to the place.”

Green sea moss on rocks at Nam O Beach. Photo: Getty Images
Green sea moss on rocks at Nam O Beach. Photo: Getty Images

The early birds caught the Insta-worm but those who came later had to first pick their way through the litter dumped by the first arrivals.

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