This can be seen as a remarkable effort by the province's tourism sector, given that the tourism infrastructure of many localities and businesses was devastated by Super Typhoon Yagi within hours of its furious onslaught in Quang Ninh. Now, the tourism landscape of Quang Ninh still has many somber colors, but there are glimpses of encouraging bright spots.
Terrifying destructive power
The devastating effects of Typhoon Yagi remain a haunting memory for many people and businesses. According to the tourism industry, even a preliminary assessment of the damage reveals frightening results.
The damage affected various tourist accommodation establishments, ranging from small-scale guesthouses to high-end 4-5 star hotels. The most significant damage was likely in Ha Long City, where onshore accommodations suffered extensive damage, including broken windows, shattered roof tiles on villas, wind-induced collapses, damaged ceilings, and damaged furniture in guest rooms, lobbies, restaurants, bars, and auxiliary areas. Additionally, there were broken trees and lampposts within the premises, as well as damage to electrical, air conditioning, and water systems.
Many restaurants, shops, shopping areas, businesses, and souvenir shops, primarily constructed with steel frames and corrugated iron roofs, suffered extensive damage, including complete destruction. Several key tourist attractions such as the Quang Ninh Museum, the Planning and Exhibition Center, the Sunworld amusement park, and the Tuan Chau tourist area sustained significant infrastructure damage.
Tourism service and management facilities in Ha Long Bay are in a similar state. Statistics from the unit show that most of the management and operational points in the bay under the Ha Long Bay Management Board have suffered roof damage, other damage, and sinking. The Cua Van Floating Cultural Center was severely damaged, and 15 conservation floating houses in Cua Van completely sank. The stone railings of the bridge leading to Thien Cung Cave were broken and collapsed. Many pieces of equipment, machinery, signs, and regulations boards were broken and damaged. Ornamental trees at tourist attractions in Ha Long Bay were almost completely destroyed.
Property belonging to residents and businesses at boat and kayak rental points in the Ba Hang, Cong Do, Cua Van, Hang Luon, and Vung Vieng areas of Ha Long Bay suffered heavy damage. The tourist port system sustained varying degrees of damage. Specifically, the Tuan Chau International Passenger Port suffered roof damage. Office buildings and reception areas of businesses at the port were also damaged. At the Ha Long International Passenger Port, the entire pontoon at berth number 3 drifted away, and two pontoons at berth number 2 sank. Businesses and boat owners continued to struggle after the storm, with 27 tourist boats and 4 transfer vessels sinking, and several others sustaining minor damage.
Along with Ha Long, other localities also recorded significant damage to both tourism service infrastructure and the green landscape system that creates the beauty of destinations in the area. For example, at Quang Ninh Gate Tourist Area (Dong Trieu Town), covering an area of 20 hectares, including entertainment facilities and resorts... located along the Vang Chua River.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang, CEO of Quang Ninh Gate Tourist Area, shared: "When the storm hit, trees were broken, thatched roofs, tiled roofs, and corrugated iron roofs were blown away. Just a few days after the storm, we had barely finished cleaning up when the river water rose by a meter, flooding the entire tourist area. We had to constantly monitor the rising water to move our belongings, and after the water receded, there was no electricity or water, so we had to constantly clean up all the facilities over such a large area. The rooms and equipment were submerged in water for a long time, so cleaning and repairing them is very difficult. The damage to Quang Ninh Gate is enormous. We are mobilizing staff from all member units to help clean up, repair, and restore things piecemeal so that we can welcome guests back by early October..."
Long-term solution
The damage to tourism after Typhoon Yagi is immeasurable, especially since tourism businesses have not yet fully recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic. Recovery will be a long-term process; however, with the solid foundation and strong spirit of Quang Ninh's long-established tourism industry, we have hope for a resurgence and a spectacular recovery in the near future.
As of September 13th, 11 out of 12 districts, towns, and cities in the province have recognized tourist areas and attractions that are ready to welcome visitors back after quickly cleaning up and reinforcing them. These include tourist areas like Binh Lieu and Co To, which have both recovered from the storm's impact and are now welcoming visitors. 67 out of 87 tourist destinations are ready to reopen.
Ha Long City has 39 hotels with 4-5 stars and 8,572 rooms, of which 5,196 rooms are ready to welcome guests (accounting for 60% of the total). 36 hotels are undergoing renovations while also welcoming guests (accounting for 85%). Approximately 580 hotels with 8,540 rooms are also ready to welcome guests, with 1-3 star and other standard tourist accommodation establishments.
In addition, the system of large, well-established restaurants in the Bai Chay and Hon Gai areas continues to operate normally. Many souvenir shops and businesses serving tourists are ready to reopen; many cafes and late-night eateries are operating as usual.
In localities such as Mong Cai, Hai Ha, and Uong Bi, 100% of accommodation establishments are ready to welcome guests; 30% of accommodation establishments, representing 60% of the total rooms in Co To district, are ready to welcome guests; some onshore establishments in Van Don are also ready to serve…
This demonstrates the tremendous efforts of localities, businesses, and individuals involved in tourism in the area. For example, Legacy Yen Tu, despite being affected by flooding due to rising stream levels, damaged trees, and prolonged power, water, and telecommunication outages, quickly overcame the damage to be able to welcome guests during and immediately after the storm. Businesses such as Ha Long Pearl Joint Stock Company also temporarily set aside concerns about the destruction of their pearl farms in the bay, urgently cleaning up and repairing two showrooms, cultivation and pearl farming experience centers whose roofs were blown off and windows shattered by the storm, so they could welcome guests three days after the storm passed.
Even Van Don International Airport and the two international cruise ports of Tuan Chau and Ha Long, although somewhat damaged, quickly resumed operations. Cruise ships promptly refurbished their facilities, with 315 out of 359 ships at both ports (88%) ready to operate, including sightseeing boats, restaurant boats, and overnight accommodation vessels.
Although not all destinations are ready, some locations along the Ha Long Bay tour route are being quickly inspected and scanned to prepare for welcoming tourists, including sightseeing spots and overnight stays on the bay. And from September 13th, tourist boats have been authorized to continue taking tourists for sightseeing and overnight stays on Ha Long Bay…
The rapid recovery of tourism activities in Quang Ninh after Typhoon Yagi is easily observable. However, assessments also show that the impact of Typhoon No. 3 will weaken the financial capacity of businesses to varying degrees, affecting the province in many ways, and impacting the jobs and incomes of thousands of workers.
Therefore, supporting tourism businesses and workers to recover strongly in the coming period requires practical attention, the concerted efforts of the province and responsible agencies, as well as the efforts of each tourism establishment, unit, and business in the area. Support should not only be short-term but also require a long-term roadmap and solutions to ensure that tourism businesses have a foundation for truly sustainable development…
Source
