Extending the pilot period of diving service in Nha Trang Bay

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently signed document No. 724/TTg-CN dated September 28, 2024, regarding the extension of the pilot period for the operation of submarine tours in Nha Trang Bay.

The use of submarine tours caters to a wide range of people, including the elderly, children, and both domestic and international tourists, adding a novel and highly educational tourism model.

Accordingly, in order to have more time to finalize the legal regulations related to submarine service activities, the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to extend the pilot period for submarine service activities in Nha Trang Bay as requested by the Ministry of Transport (the pilot period is capped at March 30, 2025).

The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of National Defence, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province, Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, and other relevant agencies the responsibility for implementing the tasks assigned in document No. 635/TTg-CN dated July 12, 2023, to organize and manage submarine services in Nha Trang Bay, Khanh Hoa province, in compliance with current regulations on security, national defence, and relevant laws; and to regularly monitor and inspect the operation of the vessels and other supporting activities to ensure absolute safety.

Vinpearl Joint Stock Company and relevant agencies and units have plans to ensure safety, prevent accidents, and conduct rescue operations, and will be held responsible according to the law if any safety incidents occur during the operation of submarine tours in Nha Trang Bay.

The Ministry of Transport is working closely with the Government Office in the process of finalizing and submitting to competent authorities for promulgation legal documents related to submarine service operations.

* The operation of submarine tours in Nha Trang Bay has been approved in principle by the Prime Minister for pilot implementation in Official Letter No. 1505/TTg-CN dated October 30, 2020.

According to a report by Vinpearl Joint Stock Company, from April 30, 2022 to September 12, 2022, Vinpearl successfully organized and implemented 713 diving trips (including test dives, training, and welcoming guests); a total of 2,708 guests participated in the tourist diving boat service in the Hon Mot area, Nha Trang Bay.

Passenger diving trips are conducted safely, without incidents, ensuring quality service and customer experience. The use of submersible services caters to a wide range of people, including the elderly, children, and both domestic and international tourists, adding a novel and highly educational tourism model.

According to the Ministry of Transport, it is currently leading and coordinating with relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations to draft a decree amending and supplementing several articles of Decree No. 58/2017/ND-CP detailing some provisions of the Vietnamese Maritime Code on the management of maritime activities. The Ministry of Transport has added regulations on the management of submarines operating for tourism in Vietnamese port waters. The draft decree has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice for appraisal.

Therefore, in order to facilitate business operations, improve the business environment, enhance quality, diversify services, attract tourists, and contribute to the development of tourism as a key economic sector, the Ministry of Transport has requested the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to consider extending the pilot period for diving activities in Nha Trang Bay until all legal regulations governing the management of diving vessels operating for tourism in Vietnamese port waters are fully issued.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gia-han-thoi-gian-thi-diem-hoat-dong-dich-vu-tau-lan-tai-vinh-nha-trang-102240928173234455.htm?gidzl=kbDlG68BfI6qIsn6PXAYBhzCQajnHgOYg4qx5oj5ytVyIMr1BKAi8AnDP4L-5waY_1nfGJJWRlXGQ0-a9m