During a patrol near Dom Islet in Ha Long Bay, police working with the Ha Long Bay-Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board found 18 boats attaching themselves to tourist vessels that were in motion and carrying passengers.
The authorities issued administrative fines totalling VND 74.75 million (USD 2,840).
According to officials, the practice of tailing and tying onto tourist boats poses serious safety risks, violates inland waterway traffic rules and damages the area’s tourism image, particularly among international visitors.
Quang Ninh authorities ordered the boat owners to immediately stop the violations and escort their vessels to Ben Doan Port for further investigation and handover to competent agencies for handling under the law.
The waterway police said they would continue to step up patrols and enforcement to curb violations, safeguard waterway traffic safety and preserve Ha Long Bay’s image as a tourist destination.