The Coral Reef Masterpiece in Ganh Yen

The locals in the fishing community of Thanh Thuy village, Binh Hai commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province, refer to the Ganh Yen natural heritage as a “sleeping princess” and it is situated 35 kilometers to the north of Quang Ngai city’s center.

Photo: Zing

This region’s volcanic sedimentary rocks have been heaped and curled along the coast through millions of years of geological tectonics, resulting in an intriguing natural landscape.

Photo: Zing

Experts estimate that the volcanoes in Ganh Yen first erupted about 5–6 million years ago, far earlier than the island district of Ly Son.

Photo: Zing

Near the shore, several coral clusters blossom like cabbage jutting above the water’s surface during the beginning of the month or on the day of the full moon. Every year, from April to July of the lunar calendar, when the tide recedes, Ganh Yen appears as a “open-air coral reef” spreading across the water, forming a masterful image.

Photo: Zing

In Ganh Yen, coral clumps bloom in shades of yellow like daisies. The Global Environment Fund, the United Nations Development Program, and the Small Project Grant Program in Vietnam are carrying out regional community sustainable development initiatives, according to Ngo Van Thinh, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Binh Hai Commune, Binh Son District.

Photo: Zing

On the first day of the sixth lunar month, a group of reddish-brown corals protrudes above the water. International groups, according to Thinh, put a special emphasis on protecting the coral reefs in Ganh Yen and working to enable local populations to manage and maintain corals, preserve traditional knowledge and culture, and create sustainable livelihoods.

Photo: Zing

The coral in this area’s natural heritage is covered in dense bunches of seagrapes.

Photo: Zing

Black velvet corals grow like mushrooms in Ganh Yen.

Photo: Zing

Vo Thanh Tung, Leader of Ganh Yen Coral Protection Group, Head of Thanh Thuy Village, Binh Hai Commune, said that two years ago, the sea here had many clusters of colorful corals on an area of ​​up to several hectares in the nearshore area.

Photo: Zing

“Recently, due to climate change, people go diving, exploiting seaweed and tourists come to visit accidentally stepping on corals, so the area of ​​coral reefs in Ganh Yen has decreased significantly,” said Tung.

According to Ly Tho, vice chairman of the Binh Son District People’s Committee, the local tourism development plan includes the mural village in Tho An village, Binh An commune, and the 3D painting village in Ganh Yen, Thanh Thuy village, Binh Hai commune.

“We make a daring investment after determining that the Binh Son district has tourism potential and that this is also the Provincial Party Committee’s policy. This is another action. The obligation of the local government and the people themselves to serve tourists and, in the long term, the people themselves also benefit from investment results in tourism is necessary to provide a driving force for tourism development in the upcoming years “.