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On March 1st, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued document No. 587 regarding the rectification of management and exploitation of adventure tourism. The document reiterated the two accidents at waterfalls in Lam Dong province at the end of February, which resulted in the deaths of four foreign tourists. These incidents highlight numerous shortcomings in the management of tourist attractions, and without timely corrective measures, the likelihood of such accidents recurring is very high, especially for adventure tourism and waterfall exploration.
Authorities are assisting in the search for the victim's body. Photo: internet
The Ministry of Culture requests that the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities direct their tourism management departments, relevant agencies, and localities to strengthen the management of adventure tourism areas, sites, and activities within their jurisdictions.
For areas and locations organizing adventure tourism activities, the Ministry requires inspection of technical facilities and operational capacity. These places need to have clear signs, warnings, and directions, and establish operating procedures and rescue plans to ensure the safety of tourists.
"At dangerous locations, rescue forces must be on constant standby. Serious corrective measures must be taken, and operations of tourist areas and sites that do not ensure safety or where violations occur must be resolutely stopped," the document stated.
For businesses operating in the adventure tourism sector, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requires a review of criteria and operating procedures according to their business licenses, and the development of programs suitable for each specific type of adventure tourism.
Previously, on February 26th, three British tourists, two women and one man, aged 19 to 25, booked an adventure tour at Dalanta Waterfall. During a hiking tour in the forest, the three tourists unexpectedly slipped and fell while swimming at the waterfall. That afternoon, the three bodies were found and brought back to Ho Chi Minh City for preservation. On February 28th, a 26-year-old Belarusian tourist died from drowning at Pongour Waterfall tourist area (Tan Thanh commune, Duc Trong district, Lam Dong province). The victim's body was found a day later.
