Tourists return to Cat Ba after storm No. 3

The People's Committee of Cat Hai District (Hai Phong City) and a number of travel agencies and hotels in Cat Ba said that tourism activities are gradually being restored on Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay, after many efforts to overcome the severe consequences caused by storm No. 3 (storm Yagi).

Responding to VOV.VN reporters, Mr. Bui Tuan Manh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Cat Hai district ( Hai Phong city) said that Cat Ba is currently welcoming tourists normally, and the island's traffic infrastructure, environmental sanitation, electricity, water, and telecommunications have been repaired. However, besides the hotels that have welcomed guests, there are still some accommodation establishments that need more time to repair and fix; therefore, tourists need to check the information carefully before their trip.

On Lan Ha Bay, most cruise ships and overnight ships have resumed operations such as Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Cat Ba Archipelago, Orchid Cruises, Mon Chéri, La Casta, Scarlet Pearl...

On Lan Ha Bay, most of the tourist boats and overnight boats have resumed operations. Photo: Pham Ha

Arriving at Cat Ba Island on September 17 by private car, tourist To Uyen ( Hanoi ) said the weather on the island was quite nice, with light sunshine: "Shops have reopened about 50%, the central area is more open. I see that on the island at this time there are mainly international visitors, few Vietnamese visitors. In some places the landscape is still desolate, trees have fallen, but overall I feel that Cat Ba is now peaceful and pleasant. Dong Bai ferry is in operation and free of charge, so traffic is smooth, without any obstacles."

Many shops in the center of Cat Ba Island have reopened. Photo: To Uyen

Representative of MGallery Hotel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba - Mr. Pham Truong said that the unit has welcomed guests normally, the room capacity is still stable even though it is in the low season. In general, Cat Ba tourism industry has not been able to fully recover, but the units are gradually restoring operations, because the hotels mainly suffered damage to the facade and exterior landscape, while the internal infrastructure is still guaranteed. In addition, storm No. 3 damaged many aquaculture rafts, affecting the seafood supply for restaurants.

According to the People's Committee of Cat Hai district ( Hai Phong ), Cat Ba island is currently welcoming tourists normally. Photo: Dao Truong

A representative of Tran Nguyen Travel on Cat Ba Island said that in the past few days, tourists have started to return to Cat Ba after the storm: "Since last weekend, we have served about 15-20 guests per day, mainly small groups of foreign guests. Current activities for guests include visiting Lan Ha Bay, swimming, kayaking, visiting Sang Toi Cave, trekking some routes in Cat Ba National Park such as Ao Ech, Ngu Lam... As for the Viet Hai village route, we have not taken guests to it yet."

Tourists have begun to return to Cat Ba, mainly small groups of foreign visitors. Photo: Dao Truong

Tourism activities in Cat Ba are gradually being restored. Photo: Dao Truong

In general, on Cat Ba Island, small-scale restaurants have reopened, and some hotels in the center of the island have also welcomed guests. Other tourist service establishments have both overcome the consequences and operated at a low level. Up to now, traffic routes in the entire Cat Hai district have been cleaned and ensured normal traffic. The People's Committee of Cat Hai district is reviewing and counting establishments and services ready to welcome guests to inform tourists and businesses soon.

Storm No. 3 (Yagi) has caused severe damage to Cat Hai district in general and Cat Ba tourism industry in particular. According to incomplete statistics (as of September 14), the damage in Cat Hai district is over 678 billion VND in terms of housing, educational facilities, health care, culture, agriculture, tourism, transportation, irrigation, communications, etc. Many aquaculture rafts were severely damaged. Many fishing boats and tourist boats were sunk, including 3 overnight tourist boats, 5 transfer boats (tender) and 1 tourist boat during the day.

Hainan

Source: https://vov.vn/du-lich/du-khach-tro-lai-cat-ba-sau-bao-so-3-post1122262.vov?gidzl=HRaPHAspjmXBeHf2gQgt2qwd64-m_x0BMQP94-hyvLuDeXz5xFkw2Lsc5a6_hhyB3VSRHJJGF9nzfxUs3W