Parties in Ha Long Bay's caves to be banned
The authorities of Quang Ninh, the home to world heritage site Ha Long Bay, are considering banning dining in caves in the bay after facing opposition from locals, who fear that tourism will ruin the caves.
Currently, visitors who book places on high-end cruise boats of Image Ha Long Cruise Company can request to hold a party in the caves of Trong, Tien and Soi Kim.
It is reported that parties have been held in the caves for a year. Not only Image Ha Long Cruise Company but other travel firms are offering this service.
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The service is widely advertised on the internet, especially on Foody.vn.
Tourist groups of over 10 people can party in caves with the price of VND3 million (US$136)/person. Smaller groups have to pay from VND4 million to VND5 million for a person.
However, local people worry that dining in caves can harm the environment in the caves and the bay.
Ho Quang Huy, Vice Chair of Ha Long City, said the city authorities had asked the Ha Long Bay Management Board to review the situation and propose solutions.
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Under a decision released by the Quang Ninh People's Committee last year, catering service, events and celebration parties are banned from caves in the bay, especially Trong and Dong Tien caves.
A Quang Ninh official told Dantri newsite that the local government could not immediately ban parties in caves because the service providers were licenced in 2015.
The official said Quang Ninh would gradually put an end to it. At first the province will tighten management of activities in caves and on the bay. Violators will be punished strictly.
