Marine and coastal resources in Vietnam are under increasing threat from human activities (Burke et al. 2002). One way to manage these threats is through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which safeguard valuable ecosystems within their confines. Despite the ecological and socio-economic benefits they provide (Whittingham et al. 2003), the management of MPAs is often severely constrained by both a lack of funding and a poor relationship with communities living around (or within) them.

Coral reefs in Nha Trang City have been threatened by human activities such as use of dynamite, illegal harvesting, shipping, and pollution from the nearby port development project. How much recreational benefit from coral reefs is lost if these activities are not held in check? Using travel cost method, this study estimated the recreational value of coral reefs in Nha Trang to be VND 259.8 billion (USD18.3 million) annually, of which Hon Mun’s consumer surplus was estimated to be VND 45.4 billion (USD3.2 million).