No, Vietnam prohibits unauthorized sand extraction from beaches under the 2017 Law on Natural Resources and Environment, enforced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE). Violations risk fines up to ₫500 million ($21,000) and criminal liability under the 2015 Penal Code for environmental crimes. Recent 2026 compliance directives emphasize stricter monitoring of coastal sand mining due to erosion risks.
Key Regulations for Taking Sand from the Beach in Vietnam
- MONRE Circular 02/2022/TT-BTNMT bans all non-scientific sand removal without permits, requiring Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for approved projects.
- Coastal Law 2018 (Law No. 36/2018/QH14) classifies beaches as protected zones; unauthorized extraction violates Article 56 on sustainable coastal resource management.
- Provincial Enforcement: DONREs in Quảng Ninh, Đà Nẵng, and Khánh Hòa actively patrol beaches, with 2025-2026 crackdowns targeting illegal sand traders linked to construction firms.
Penalties escalate for large-scale operations, including asset confiscation and imprisonment under Article 235 of the Penal Code for “destruction of natural resources.” Exceptions exist solely for government-approved research or disaster recovery, subject to MONRE’s prior written consent.