Bai Sau, a popular Vung Tau beach running five kilometers long, is full of beachgoers on Tuesday afternoon, despite big waves, strong winds and high tides.
Lying 100 km from HCMC, Vung Tau Town in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province is a favorite destination of people in the city and its neighboring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai.
On Tuesday, Vung Tau Beach recorded strong winds and waves nearly 3 meters high, causing water to splash repeatedly on the embankment.
According to the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, Vietnam’s southern coast was hit by northeastern winds of 40-70 kph on the third and fourth day of the lunar new year, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wearing sunglasses, Mai Hoa from Dong Nai Province said she and her family chose Vung Tau for a Tet holiday because the town is now enjoying cool temperatures and is close to their home.
A life guard brought a flag to an area to warn people to stay away from whirlpools.
Pham Khac To, director of the Vung Tau Tourism Area Management Board, said whirlpools and rip currents usually appear in Vung Tau beaches around this time of the year along with high tides and large waves. Therefore, life guards must be on duty at all times to prevent possible accidents.
In the past two days, Vung Tau beach received more than 100,000 tourists.
"The number of visitors is higher compared to the same period of previous years before the pandemic and is expected to be even more crowded on Wednesday," he said.
Vietnamese people are enjoying a seven-day Tet break from January 20 to 26.