Authorities of Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay, began prohibiting all tourism establishments and tourism service providers at the UNESCO World Heritage from using single-use plastics, startingfrom September 1. They will have to replace plastic products with glass, paper, and other environmentally friendly products. And there have been remarkable initial results.
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| Glass drinking water bottles began to be used on tourist boats operating on Ha Long Bay from September 1. |
Arriving at Tuan Chau international cruise wharf 10 days after the above-mentioned regulation comes into effect, we were surprised that many visitors coming to Ha Long Bay began to strictly obey the new rule and have shown strong support to the single-use plastic ban.
According to representative of Ha Long Tourist Ship Association, about 400 members of the Association have been active in respond to using glass water bottles. The ship owners also pay much attention to remind passengers to bring glass mugs and large water bottles to the Bay instead of disposable plastic products. In addition, lots of cruise boats, such as: the Bhaya, Au Co, Surge Cruises, and Indochina Yachts started using paper straws, cups and glass water bottles.
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| Tourists visiting Ha Long Bay were provided with paper cups of water. |
Not only ship owners but also merchants selling goods on Ha Long Bay are the pioneers to follow the rule. On the island of TiTov, for example, there have no longer plastic products used to serve tourists. They have used glass cups and bottles or paper bags and straws, instead.
Over the last time, the Ha Long Bay Management Board has undertaken a range of practical activities responding to the new ban. For example in July and August, they had disseminated the new ban to the ship owners as well as travel agencies and tourists; thousands signs and leaflets have beengluedon the easy-to-see wall of ships, as the way of reminding crews and tourists of not using single-used plastics.
All businesses, ship owners and merchants who do not follow the new regulation will receive warnings or are fined in more severe cases.
This is regarded to be a good way calling them to join handsto limit the use of plastic bags and bottles. The urgent actions by the functional authorities like Ha Long Bay Management Board are effective ways in the anti-plastic waste movement.
Translated by Hue Linh