VI
EN
The People's Committee of Ha Long City has been assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to urgently develop a plan.
This includes identifying permitted operating areas, technical standards, personnel, and the number of organizations and individuals allowed to register for activities, as well as developing plans for organizing and implementing sports services, ensuring the safety of tourists and preserving and promoting the value of Ha Long Bay; and reporting to the Provincial People's Committee before April 15th.
According to Mr. Ho Quang Huy, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Long City, there are currently over 1,400 kayaks operating in Ha Long Bay, of which about 1,100 are carried on tourist boats. Carrying additional watercraft would reduce the K factor (the safety factor for stability in all conditions), increase the risk of sinking, increase the amount of flammable materials on board, and affect the minimum crew size…
Previously, on March 29th, the People's Committee of Ha Long City announced the suspension of all kayaking services in Ha Long Bay starting from April 1st. This was due to the fact that the kayaking businesses were not displaying prices or were not adhering to the posted prices, showing signs of overcharging tourists and negatively impacting the tourism business environment in the bay.
This suspension order is considered abrupt by travel companies in Ha Long because it was implemented immediately on April 1st. Furthermore, it is inappropriate to equate opportunistic companies with legitimate businesses that invest in imported kayaks and provide thorough training for tour guides.
