On August 10, Mr. Ngo Huu Hien, Vice Chairman of Cam Ranh City People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of Cam Ranh Lobster Festival - 2024, had discussions about people's complaints that the local festival has many stalls selling fried fish balls and fast food while there are no fresh lobster stalls.

Mr. Hien admitted that there were shortcomings in the organization that led to only 2/200 booths selling lobster at the festival.

The Vice Chairman of Cam Ranh City explained that, according to the original plan, the lobster festival would be held at the end of July. However, due to many objective reasons, the locality was forced to postpone it to the beginning of August.

"At first, 7 or 8 seafood warehouse owners registered to sell lobsters at the festival, but then the program was postponed, they were busy and did not participate anymore. Since then, the program only had 2 booths selling lobsters. The first time organizing the event, the organizers admitted this shortcoming to the people and tourists, hoping to receive sympathy," Mr. Hien shared.

Regarding the organizers' ban on people, tourists and even the press from covering the contest of performing 120 lobster dishes to set a Vietnamese record, Mr. Hien said that this is a regulation of the Vietnam Record Association, to ensure food safety and hygiene.

Previously, many people coming to the lobster festival were disappointed to see that there was only one stall selling fresh live lobsters, the rest sold skewers, fast food, etc.

"There is only one stall selling fresh lobsters, so people have to jostle to buy lobsters at the Cam Ranh lobster festival. Luckily, lobsters here are sold at a reasonable price of only 800,000-900,000 VND/kg," said Nguyen Van Duc from Nha Trang.

Ms. Thuy, from Nha Trang, also expressed regret because she thought there would be a lobster festival but looked around and saw only fried fish balls and fast food for sale.

The Cam Ranh Lobster Festival takes place from August 3 to 11 with many events. At the program, fresh lobsters are sold at 800,000-900,000 VND/kg (including processing fee), lower than the general market price.

According to the organizers, to get the above price, the government has mobilized stalls to sell at subsidized prices, in order to attract tourists and promote the Cam Ranh lobster brand.