More than 10 years ago, along the coastal road of Tran Phu, in Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, there were only two low-rise hotels, and the rest were villas and cottages looking to the pine forests and shady coconut trees along the coast.

In recent years, Khanh Hoa authorities have allowed the construction of many high-rise buildings and luxury hotels along this road.

Ten years ago, the Phu Dong Park is connected to Nha Trang beach, creating an open space in harmony with nature. People in residential areas inside can enjoy the cool breezes from the sea without any shield.

Currently, Phu Dong Park is a home to high-rise hotels. The local authorities licensed investors to use the parkland to build restaurants and bars, shielding the sea views.

Investors also built several underground projects in Phu Dong Park. Pham Van Chi, former Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, said 20 years ago, the development planning of Khanh Hoa did not have restaurant and underground projects on Nha Trang beach.

In 1996, Khanh Hoa authorities made it clear that the province did not plan to build permanent and high buildings in the east of Tran Phu Road. Nha Trang Beach would be preserved under the Heritage Act, to serve as a public park and tourism development.

Tran Phu Street over 10 years ago. The construction of many high-rise buildings along the road has affected the natural beauty of Nha Trang Bay.

Nha Trang Bay as it looked from southern Tran Phu Street many years ago.

The view of the sea from a long coastal stretch of Tran Phu Road is shielded by Ana Mandara resort.

The beach overwhelmed by buildings, high-rise hotels.

Tran Phu Street looks to the north.

The Muong Thanh apartment buildings and hotel are close to the sea. Khanh Hoa authorities licenced the investor to build a 48-storey building, destroying the landscape of Nha Trang Bay.

According to the general plan of Nha Trang City, approved by the Prime Minister in 2012, the maximum height of buildings was raised to 40 floors. In early 2016, Nha Trang City detected 13 projects exceeding 40 storeys.

Mr. Nguyen Van Loc, former Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Construction, said today there are many works shielding the view of the sea along the beach of Nha Trang, such as Ana Mandara, Sailing Club, Louisiana, E-Land Four Season ....

National Geographic rated the beach of Nha Trang as the worst beach in 2010, because the natural landscape had been quickly ruined by coastal projects.

"This is a big concern. If we do not stop and reverse the damage, the natural landscapes of Nha Trang Bay will be destroyed," said Loc.