Authorities of Khanh Hoa Province have revoked the investment license of a tourism project for illegally encroaching on the renowned Nha Trang Bay.

The project located on Pham Van Dong Street, Nha Trang City was licensed in March 2012. The project invested by Nha Trang Sao JS Company has a total investment of USD33 million. It was started in 2014 and was slated for completion by late 2016.

The project found illegal dumping filling up 23,000 square metres of the bay

According to local authority approval, the project covers 44 square metres of land and 59,000 square metres of surface water, including different services such as sports, entertainment and restaurant.

Early 2016, the project investor was fined VND130 million (USD5,909) for failing to monitor the environmental impact of construction, and VND70 million (USD3,181) for illegal dumping filling up 23,000 square metres of the bay.

In addition, officials are requiring the investor to return the expanded area to its original condition, including the removal of a rock embankment built along the site. However, to date, nothing has been done by the investor as instructed, and provincial authorities have withdrawn the project’s investment license.