Halong Bay: Fight against plastic waste wins on drive!

Halong Bay: Fight against plastic waste wins on drive!

Halong-Bucht, Vietnam - The Halong Bay in Vietnam, known for her breathtaking limestone islands and its rich biodiversity, faces a serious challenge: plastic waste. The booming tourism has led to a drastic increase in pollution. As Stern reports for the sensitive ecosystem for 8.5 million visitors for 2023 increased.

The authorities responded to this problem. On September 1, 2019, a ban on plastic bags and disposable products made of plastic came into force in Halong Bay. The administrative authority has initiated measures to combat plastic waste in order to reduce increasing waste. Tourist boats must now sign a declaration of commitment to avoid plastic waste. According to vietnam.vn , 204 companies and households from the tourism sector have guaranteed not to use one-way plastic products.

initiatives for waste prevention

The implementation of the measures already shows the first successes: plastic waste during sightseeing and tourism activities in the bay was reduced by over 90 %. Styrofoam boys on floating structures were also reduced by 94 %, which is an important step towards cleanliness of the waters. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense. As the garbage collector Vu Thi Thinh reports, large amounts of garbage are to be removed every day, and seven million tourists were counted in 2022 alone.

The city of Ha Long has difficulty disposing of the waste water in an environmentally friendly manner, since only 40 % of the waste water can be prepared. In addition, the decline in the coral species in the bay is alarming: the number has dropped from 234 to around 117. Despite the efforts, there are reports about Fischer who throw old styrofoam boars into the water, which makes cleaning difficult.

future prospects

In order to reduce plastic pollution by 50 % by 2025 and to eliminate it completely by 2030, a comprehensive plan is pursued. A plan for reducing plastic waste in five island communities was published in the Van Don district on April 24, 2024. There are also innovative projects in Minh Chau that promote the “no plastic waste” message. The Phoenix Hotel in this area already uses recycled materials and dispenses with disposable plastic.

The population is encouraged to actively participate in environmental protection measures. In Co to, tourists collect garbage together on the beach as part of the movement "The district of Co To has no plastic waste". In addition, new "garbage collectors", which are offered by some accommodations, are very popular. These initiatives show that the fight against plastic waste is not only promoted at an official level, but also by the commitment of the community.

Overall, the Halong Bay is a symbol of the challenges in front of which many tourist destinations are in Vietnam. While tourism is an important economic engine, it at the same time represents a significant burden on the environment. Hope lies on the continuing measures to combat plastic pollution and the commitment of both the authorities and the visitors.