Revive Halong Bay after Yagi Super Typhoon
On October 2, 2024, over 100 representatives from travel agencies, and numerous domestic as well as international volunteers(*) gathered at Halong Bay to participate in the “Green Mission – Revive Halong Bay” campaign, aiming to restore the natural beauty of this heritage site following the impact of Yagi Typhoon.
Recently, Yagi Super Typhoon made a direct landfall in Quang Ninh province, causing significant damage. Halong City as well as Halong Bay suffered the most severe consequences. The typhoon ravaged the green landscapes of Halong Bay – the pride of Vietnamese tourism, leaving behind a substantial amount of debris, including fragments of aquaculture rafts, tree branches, and household waste… This has resulted in serious pollution, affecting the water quality and scenic beauty of the bay. Meanwhile, the cleanup efforts are facing numerous challenges and delays.
In response to this situation, Bhaya Cruises, in collaboration with the Halong Bay Management Board, has launched an urgent cleanup campaign for Ha Long Bay – a World Natural Heritage Site. They are calling for the participation of all travel and tourism agencies operating in the bay.
As part of the annual “Clean the Bay” non-profit project run by Bhaya Cruises, “Green Mission – Revive Halong Bay” marks the seventh consecutive year of this meaningful campaign.Driven by a passion for a clean and green Ha Long Bay, the event welcomed a wide range of participants, from travel companies and tour operators to non-profit organizations, media agencies, and local community members.
During the event, over 100 members from various organizations, domestic and international volunteers had the opportunity to exchange information about the state of marine plastic pollution in general, and specifically in Ha Long Bay. Discussion topics focused on waste management levels, waste reduction strategies, and the importance of promoting sustainable tourism. Participants also experienced “The Soul of Halong Bay” exhibition, showcasing the value and beauty of Ha Long Bay, at the Bhaya Cruises Centre.
The bay cleanup and beach cleaning activities were carried out using the Au Co Cruise, one of Bhaya Cruises’ signature vessels.
Under the dedicated guidance of experts from GreenU, all enthusiastic volunteers joined forces to clean the shores of Halong Bay. The results were impressive, with 1.7 km of coastline cleaned. The total amount of collected and processed waste included over 1,652 pieces of foam buoys, 1,752 plastic bottles, 189 fishing nets, and 296 other non-recyclable waste items.
The success of this campaign is attributed to the collaboration and contributions from various parties, particularly the financial support from DTH Travel, Asia Encounter, Asia DMC, and Discova. The event also received valuable support from media partners such as GreenU, Men&Life magazine, Vietnam Television (VTV4), and Quang Ninh Television (QTV), helping to spread the message of environmental protection even further.
“Green Mission – Revive Halong Bay” is not merely a cleanup campaign; it symbolizes the spirit of unity and responsibility for environmental protection of each individual and organization. It is hoped that these efforts will continue to be maintained and expanded, ensuring that Ha Long Bay remains a precious natural heritage of Vietnam and the world.
