Ba Ria – Vung Tau: Sea environment pollution threats tourism industry

According to environmental regulations, tourist accommodations and tourist investment projects must submit to authorised agencies evaluation reports on environmental impacts or commitments to environment protection before the inauguration. However, only some hotels, tourist spots under the management of provincial authority or tourist projects born after the validity of Law on Environment Protection consciously execute the regulations. Most of projects under the management of district authority have not submitted the commitments yet.

Morever, the provincial tourist environment has been considerably affected by other industries, particularly oil leakages which seriously contaminate seashore water. Another polluting sources are sewage, rubbish of households and production enterprises which have not been treated, seafood processing factories at coastal communes of Phuoc Hung, Phuoc Tinh, Long Hai (Long Dien District), Phuoc Hai, Loc An (Dat Do District), Binh Chau (Xuyen Moc District). In addition, sea water in the areas of Bai Dau, Bai Truoc (Vung Tau City) is also affected by sewage of urban centers, industrial zones flowing through Thi Vai and Nga Bay Rivers and falling into Ganh Rai Bay.

In order to protect sea environment, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment proposes an early release of new environment protection regulations in tourism industry (due in 4th quarter this year) to replace the 2004 tourist environment protection regulation; popularising tourist environment protection; urging tourist accommodations in districts to complete commitments to environment protection; limiting oil transportation... Meanwhile, authorised agencies will, in 4th quarter, thoroghly check the implementation of regulations on environment protection in the whole province.

Source: MONRE

Edited and Translated by T.P (TITC)