Residents said most of the garbage originated from other areas.

During the southern monsoon season from June to October, household waste from river mouths washes out to sea, while ocean currents sweep waste from fishing vessels directly into Mui Ne Bay.

“This year, the trash has accumulated for more than two months without any trucks coming to clear it, so it has piled up like this,” said Nguyen Van Ne, 78.

He added that local residents no longer dare to swim in the sea “because they are afraid of getting rashes.”