Local communities already suffer from ash and fumes that are blown into their neighbourhoods from the existing units of the Vinh Tan energy centre. Local people report that the ash penetrates living spaces, sets on surfaces and makes people cough. Restaurant owners complain that rice dishes turn black when put on the table. The loss of marine life also affects local fishermen, aquaculture and tourism.

In April 2015 local residents blocked the main highway for several hours to protest against the immense impacts on livelihoods and health due to pollution and the transportation of ash in uncovered lorries. Local authorities urged the operator to mitigate pollution and imposed a fine of around VND 1.5 billion (USD 69,510). Contrasting the protest and authorities' request to mitigate pollution, lorries were re-directed to smaller streets, the dumping sites were covered with canvas to prevent dispersion but dumping still continued and locals have reported that pollution got worse. Responsible for this increased pollution is Vinh Tan II which came into operations in 2014. Filters to absorb dangerous elements from the fumes are still not implemented sufficiently and pollution control is by officials of industrial zones generally considered too expensive.

The Vinh Tan III project will be responsible for emitting over 11 million tonnes of CO2 each year. Coal for the plant will be imported via a deep sea port and there are concerns that the construction of the port, delivery of coal by large vessels, dumping of ash waste and the discharge of cooling water will endanger aquatic life. In addition the relocation of coral from the shore of Vinh Tan to the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (MPA) off shore, disturbs the aquatic ecosystem and the diversity of marine life severely. The construction of Vinh Tan III will increase this threat to the marine ecosystem.

Waste disposal from the plant presents additional alarming impacts. Initially, waste from Vinh Tan II was stored in open pits, until locals protested and the pits were covered. In November 2016 the plant’s operator requested permission to dump 1.5 million cubic metres of industrial waste into the MPA, arguing that it was only "natural sediment", although this was challenged by scientists and the Hon Cau MPA itself.

Water intake (millions of cubic meter per year) for the entire Vinh Tan power centre is likely to harm marine lives such as fish, shrimp and crabs, fish eggs and larvae. The destruction is twofold: these marine lives can be trapped on the intake screen or sucked through plants’ heat exchanger.