On the shore, four incense bowls were carefully arranged facing the sea, as if to send a message to the four who remain lost, hoping they will soon return.
One of the bowls, placed beside the seawall, was adorned with a small white teddy bear. It was dedicated to Nguyen Duy Khai Phong, aged six, one of the four still missing after the accident on July 19.
Many residents, including the elderly and children, stopped quietly to offer prayers, burn incense and lay flowers.
After dinner, Nguyen Minh Huong, 42, from Tuan Chau, Quang Ninh, came to the lighthouse with her two sons to pay her respects.
With 20 years of experience operating tourist boats in Ha Long Bay, Huong is no stranger to sudden weather changes and rough seas. She recalled a time when her own vessel nearly capsized. But never, she said, had she witnessed a tragedy as devastating as the July 19 incident, which claimed 35 lives and left four still unaccounted for.
At around 3 pm that day, while her boat was anchored for sightseeing, she received news that the Vinh Xanh 58 had capsized. At first, she assumed it was a typical maritime incident. But around 6pm, as her vessel passed the area and saw emergency teams working intensively, she realised the seriousness of the disaster.
Her boat had departed at 12.50 pm with 48 passengers and 3 crew members on board. The weather was calm and sunny at departure. Near Sung Sot Cave, the wind began to pick up but remained within safe limits. She said the Vinh Xanh 58 departed 5 to 10 minutes after her vessel and was overturned by a powerful gust as it approached Kim Cung Cave.
A man sat in silence on the seawall, eyes fixed on the horizon. His younger brother, Hoang Van Thai, 40, was still missing.
“Thai’s wife and three-year-old daughter also died in the accident. His 10-year-old son was among the 10 people rescued. The boy said his father had put a life jacket on him just before the boat flipped,” the relative said.
The mood at the lighthouse was sombre and heavy with grief. Locals said they only hoped the four missing victims would be found soon, so their families could finally bring them home.
