The Inland Waterway Port Authority and Waterway Vehicle Registry, under the Quang Ninh Department of Construction, on July 20 issued an urgent directive banning port departures for tourist boats and passenger vessels operating to and between islands in Ha Long Bay.
The Vinh Xanh tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay on July 19 (Photo by Quang Ninh Newspaper)
Boats returning to the mainland to disembark passengers are still permitted to operate.
According to Bui Cong Hoan, Vice Chairman of the Ha Long Cruise Ship Association, boat tours in Ha Long Bay will stay halted at least until July 22.
Hoan noted that all boats functioning in Ha Long meet strict standards. Any that fails to meet these standards is never allowed to be put into use.
He noted that the Ministry of Transport, now merged with the Ministry of Construction, along with local registry offices, is responsible for the design approval process.
Allegations that the Vinh Xanh 58 capsized due to a design flaw are entirely unfounded. The spread of such misinformation misleads the public and undermines the tourism sector's reputation, Hoan said.
Representatives of several cruise operators active in Ha Long Bay confirmed they had been informed of the suspension. "We are closely following updates from both authorities and the meteorological agency. Passenger safety is our top priority," a cruise company spokesperson said.
Following the sinking of the Vinh Xanh vessel in Ha Long Bay on July 19, authorities have recovered 36 bodies and rescued 10 people; however, three individuals are still missing.
