Regarding the suspension of the mooring contract for tourist boat Thinh An, QN-8618 in Ha Long Bay

On May 21, the Ha Long Bay Management Department issued official Document No. 429/BQLVHL-ĐKT concerning the suspension of the mooring contract for the tourist boat Thinh An, QN-8618 in Ha Long Bay.

This document was issued due to violations by the tourist boat Thinh An 88 of Item No. 10 – Appendix on Violations and Penalties under the Mooring and Operation Contract at ports in Ha Long Bay (including Bai Tu Long Bay). The appendix was attached to Contract No. 98/2025/VHL on mooring and operation at ports in Ha Long Bay (including Bai Tu Long Bay), signed between the Ha Long Bay Management Department and business household Bui Van Thuy (owner of Thinh An boat).

During inspections, staff from the Ha Long Bay Management Department discovered that Thinh An boat allowed visitor to freely use single-use plastic products.

Images captured while the Thinh An boat was carrying visitor to Ha Long Bay Tour

Clause No. 10 of the Contract Appendix clearly states: Crew members and workers on the vessel are prohibited from using or allowing passengers to use single-use plastic products and plastic bags.

This is not the first time the Ha Long Bay Management Department has handled violations similar to those committed by the Thinh An boat.

Since September 1, 2019, the Ha Long Bay Management Department has implemented a program to reduce plastic waste in the Ha Long Bay area, under the initiative: “No Use of Single-Use Plastic Products in Tourism and Service Activities on Ha Long Bay.” Accordingly, organizations and individuals operating tourism and service activities in the Bay must commit to not using or selling single-use plastic products (such as cups, straws, boxes, bowls, plates, plastic bags, etc.). They are also required to replace these with environmentally friendly alternatives when participating in tourism and service activities Ha Long Bay. Furthermore, operators must refuse transportation services to passengers who deliberately violate these regulations.

Requiring organizations and individuals involved in tourism and services on Ha Long Bay to commit to avoiding single-use plastic products aims to protect the environment in general and Ha Long Bay in particular, against the growing threat of single-use plastic waste.

Translated by Thuy Ha