Waste cleanup campaign launched in Ha Long Bay following tourists' complaints

Lasting until April 20, the campaign is expected to become a regular operation, deputy head of the bay management board Pham Dinh Huynh announced.

The move came after many foreign tourists visiting Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island in northern Vietnam felt disappointed and angered recently after encountering a large amount of plastic waste.

The city will mobilize various forces, including the police, the military, youth volunteers, and local residents to carry out waste collection activities along the coastline and throughout the bay.

In the long term, Ha Long will focus on monitoring environmental degradation and waste generation. Specifically, the city will conduct comprehensive inspections of businesses and vessels operating in the bay, particularly those engaged in fishing activities.

It will work against unauthorized aquaculture and strictly deal with illegal fishing and seafood harvesting practices that pollute the environment and harm marine life.

Since the beginning of this year, the management board has conducted 19 rounds of environmental protection monitoring.

These efforts have led to noticeable improvements in coastal areas with increased sanitation efforts and waste collection by municipal authorities.

However, other locations remain littered with waste, including plastic bags and foam buoys.

Sources of waste entering the bay include rivers, streams, forests, coastal areas, aquaculture and fishing activities, posing challenges to waste management efforts.