Da Nang’s picturesque beach with moss-covered rocks turns into eyesore due to popularity

Nam O Beach in Da Nang went viral on social media and made headlines last week as a popular spot for taking photos, especially among young people.

The gray rocks there are blanketed with green moss, combined with the ocean waves crashing in the background, creating a stunning backdrop for photos.

People crowd Nam O Beach, which became known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang City, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

People crowd Nam O Beach, which has become known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

The warmer weather following a previous cold spell has facilitated the growth of the moss, which quickly covered the rocks, giving rise to an interesting natural phenomenon.

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

However, the latest flocks of visitors were disappointed upon their arrival at the site.

Stalls are erected without permission at Nam O Beach, which became known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang City, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Stalls are erected without permission at Nam O Beach, which has become known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Despite the beauty of the location, it seems that many visitors failed to respect the area and its surroundings.

The once-beautiful site quickly became littered with trash, with visitors leaving behind everything from food packaging to plastic bottles.

“I liked it so much after seeing photos on social media that I told my son to drive me here, but I didn’t expect such dirtiness and a mess,” said Nguyen Thi Hong Sen, who traveled nearly 60km from Hue City in neighboring Thua Thien-Hue Province.

Stalls are erected without permission at Nam O Beach, which became known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang City, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Stalls are erected without permission at Nam O Beach, which has become known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Huu Canh, a local man, said that the coverage of moss on the rocks at Nam O Beach is not a rare occurrence as it happens around this time every year.

However, there has never been a year when so many visitors have thronged the place to take pictures like in the past few days, according to Canh.

On this occasion, a number of local households have set up stalls selling snacks and beverages, and unapproved parking lots for tourists.

Trash piles up at Nam O Beach, which became known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang City, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

Trash piles up at Nam O Beach, which has become known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

This unregulated commercial activity has led to the degradation of the ‘check-in point,’ the man said.

Following a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper inquiry, local authorities said they are aware of Nam O Beach’s popularity due to the moss-covered rocks and have intentionally left the place open to visitors as the natural phenomenon will not last long.

They also vowed to take action to address the littering and parking lot issues.

A parking lot is established without permission at Nam O Beach, which became known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang City, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

A parking lot is established without permission at Nam O Beach, which has become known as a ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks in Da Nang, Vietnam, February 13, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre

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A new ‘check-in point’ with moss-covered rocks along a beach in Da Nang, central Vietnam has recently drawn tourists from far and wide and turned into a garbage dump shortly after gaining stardom.