Ministry of Culture requests to stop unsafe tourist attractions

On March 1, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Official Letter No. 587 on rectifying the management and exploitation of adventure tourism. The document mentioned two accidents at the end of February at waterfalls in Lam Dong province, which killed four foreign tourists. The incident shows that the management of tourist attractions still has many loopholes. If there are no timely solutions, the possibility of accidents recurring is very high, especially for adventure tourism and waterfall exploration.

Authorities help search for the victim's body. Photo: internet

The Ministry of Culture requested the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities to direct the Department of Tourism Management, relevant functional agencies and localities to strengthen the management of adventure tourism areas, spots and activities in the area.

For areas and locations that organize adventure tourism, the Ministry requires inspection of technical facilities and capacity to organize activities. These places need to arrange signs, warnings, clear instructions, develop operating procedures, and rescue plans to ensure safety for tourists.

"In dangerous locations, there must be rescue forces on duty at all times. Seriously rectify and resolutely stop the operation of tourist areas and spots that do not ensure safety or allow violations to occur," the document clearly states.

For businesses operating in adventure tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requires reviewing criteria and operating procedures according to business licenses, and having plans to organize programs suitable for each specific type of adventure tourism.

Previously, on February 26, three British tourists, including two women and one man, aged 19 to 25, booked an adventure tour at Dalanta waterfall. While participating in a hiking tour in the forest, the three guests suddenly slipped and fell while bathing at the waterfall. That same afternoon, three bodies were found and brought to Ho Chi Minh City for preservation. On February 28, a Belarusian tourist (26 years old) died from drowning at the Pongour waterfall tourist area (Tan Thanh commune, Duc Trong, Lam Dong). The victim's body was found a day later.

The Thanh