Yes, collecting sea glass in Vietnam is generally legal, but subject to environmental and maritime regulations enforced by multiple authorities. While no specific law bans the activity outright, compliance with the Law on Environmental Protection (2022) and coastal management decrees is mandatory. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and provincial People’s Committees oversee enforcement, particularly in protected zones where unauthorized collection may trigger penalties.
Key Regulations for Collecting Sea Glass in Vietnam
- Protected Coastal Zones: Collection is prohibited in national parks, nature reserves, or marine protected areas (MPAs) designated under MONRE’s 2023 coastal zoning plans. Violations may result in fines up to 1 billion VND (≈$42,000) under Decree 45/2022/ND-CP.
- Commercial Extraction: Large-scale or commercial collection requires permits from provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE), with quotas tied to sustainability assessments. Unlicensed commercial activity violates the 2020 Law on Fisheries.
- Cultural Heritage: Removing sea glass from archaeological or historical sites (e.g., shipwrecks) is illegal under the 2018 Law on Cultural Heritage, punishable by confiscation or criminal liability for theft of “cultural property.”
Local authorities in provinces like Quang Ninh and Phu Quoc have intensified patrols in 2024–2026 to curb illegal beachcombing in ecologically sensitive areas. Tourists and locals must verify zone-specific rules with DONRE or the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) before collecting. Non-compliance risks administrative sanctions or criminal charges under broader environmental or maritime laws.