Much garbage and diesel fuel in the water: tourists are advised not to visit this 'natural wonder'

Halong Bay in Vietnam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the beginning of the last decade, it was recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world due to its thousands of limestone karst formations and islands.

The problem that some visitors to the area have faced in recent years is that they are far from alone in their desire to see this stunning place. A growing issue for Ha Long Bay is that many people are including it in their itinerary for Southeast Asia," as reported by the Mirror.

The "Black List" from Fodor's magazine is a rating of vacation destinations that, according to the travel team, should be avoided in 2024. According to them, it is "not uncommon" for tourists to see garbage floating on the water in the bay, and one visitor said that after swimming in the bay during a boat trip, she was covered in an orange film. She realized it was diesel fuel from a nearby cruise ship after the tour organizers started hosing guests down.

One of the visitors who recently took a trip to Ha Long Bay, Johnny Chen, wrote about his experience and all the trash he found on his website. He recalls: "The problem has been exacerbated by the increasing number of visitors to the area, which has led to the accumulation of plastic waste and other debris in the water and on the beaches.

"One of the main reasons for the litter problem is the lack of proper waste management systems in the region. Many local communities and businesses do not have access to adequate waste collection and disposal services, leading to inappropriate disposal of garbage in the water and on land. Additionally, the large number of tourists who visit Ha Long Bay each year generates a significant amount of waste that is not always properly disposed of."

The problem with garbage and the fact that tourism plays a significant role in its occurrence has led Fodor's magazine to urge those planning a trip to the region to stay away from Ha Long Bay.

Responsible Travel recommends that tourists choose an operator with a responsible travel policy if they visit the area. The team says visitors should report anyone who throws garbage into the water. They also advise taking a two-day cruise rather than a one-day cruise, as this will allow them to travel to calmer areas of the bay.

It's worth noting that if you're going to book a cruise in the area, make sure you choose a reliable tour operator.