After the storm, Ha Long Bay tourism gradually returns to stability

After the impacts of storm No. 3, up to now, tourism activities in Ha Long Bay have shown positive signs of recovery.

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According to the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, storm No. 3 severely damaged destinations and tourism service businesses in the whole province. In Ha Long Bay, the damage was estimated at about 35 billion VND. Accordingly, most of the managers and operators at 13 working locations on the bay had their roofs blown off, damaged, or sunk. The Cua Van floating cultural center was severely damaged; 15 preserved raft houses here were completely sunk. Port infrastructure, machinery and equipment, signs and regulations, and trees at tourist attractions on the bay were broken and damaged.

The rowing and kayaking service points of service units on Ha Long Bay including Ba Hang, Cong Do, Cua Van, Hang Luon, Vung Vieng were completely destroyed, the damage is yet to be fully estimated. The tourist fleet for sightseeing and accommodation also suffered heavy damage with 27 tourist boats and 4 cargo boats sunk. Many boats had partial damage to facilities, equipment, and machinery.

Cruise ship departs to take tourists on a tour of Ha Long Bay (Photo: TL).

To ensure safety for sightseeing and accommodation activities in Ha Long Bay after storm No. 3, the Bay Management Board temporarily stopped receiving visitors from September 11-12 to focus on reviewing conditions of routes and scenic spots.

As soon as safety was ensured, Ha Long Bay welcomed and served tourists again from September 13. With a spirit of urgency, cleaning and repairing, and restoring operations as soon as they were finished, the Ha Long Bay Management Board and service businesses on the bay took advantage of every minute to restore normal operations.

The cruise fleet has promptly started to review, maintain, and repair, ensuring conditions for facilities and safety, and restoring the reception and service of tourists. Over 300 cruise ships are ready to immediately receive guests, accounting for nearly 90% of the total number of ships anchored at the two ports of Ha Long International Passenger Port and Tuan Chau International Passenger Port. Thanks to proactive measures to respond to the storm and recover immediately after the storm, the Garden Bay Cruise fleet was able to immediately put 2 out of 4 ships into operation.

Leaving behind the damage and losses, the ships leaving the port carry the confidence of ship owners and crew members in the rapid recovery of tourism and the affection of international visitors for the land where the storm once passed. According to statistics in recent days, Ha Long Bay welcomes an average of 5,000-6,000 visitors per day, mainly international visitors.

Cleaning activities in Ha Long Bay (Photo: TL).

In addition to safety and service quality, the environment is one of the very important factors to bring good experiences to tourists. Ensuring environmental sanitation in the bay is one of the immediate priorities. In the campaign "3 days to clean Ha Long Bay" taking place from September 15-17, organized by the Ha Long Bay Management Board, in coordination with the Provincial Military Command, the Provincial Border Guard, Quang Ninh Park Greenery Joint Stock Company, and tourism service businesses on the bay, mobilizing the participation of hundreds of officers, employees, and soldiers from various units to simultaneously participate in collecting and transporting waste on the heritage bay. The goal is to contribute to overcoming the situation of waste causing loss of aesthetics and environmental pollution after storm No. 3. At the same time, restoring the landscape of Ha Long Bay heritage, affirming a safe and attractive destination to continue attracting domestic and international tourists.

According to Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board, the amount of waste in Ha Long Bay is currently quite large and complex, including broken pieces of aquaculture rafts, branches, leaves, styrofoam buoys, household waste, and sunken ships. In the immediate future, the campaign will collect waste in the core area of ​​Ha Long Bay Heritage, focusing on tourist itineraries, overnight stays, and then all waste on the sea surface, at the foot of islands, and sandy beaches in the bay. This is also identified as a long-term regular task of Ha Long Bay Management Board.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/sau-bao-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-dan-tro-lai-on-dinh-205056.html