Strengthening Environmental Stewardship across the Waters, Tidal Flats and Coastal Islands of Ha Long Bay

In preparation for the 2026 peak summer tourism season and as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the environmental quality of Ha Long Bay, the Ha Long Bay Conservation Centre No. 2, under the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage Site Management Department, conducted a comprehensive environmental clean-up campaign from 23 to 28 May 2026.

The campaign focused on the collection and removal of waste across water surfaces, tidal flats, island shorelines and coastal islands along the bay. Activities were implemented across a wide range of coastal areas extending from Ben Doan to Cot 3, Cot 5 and Cot 8, including Oan Lagoon, Hang Dinh Islet, Hang Ma Islet, Gieng Coi Islet, Do Islet, Gieng Coi Lagoon, Chua Con Lagoon, Chua Lagoon, Con Cho Islet, Hu Cave, Ba Hai Islet, Dau Cave, Dai Bang Islet, Ham Cave, Am Islet and Chau Chien.

On the first day alone, the Centre’s personnel collected more than 1,000 plastic cages and approximately three cubic metres of waste, consisting primarily of foam buoys, floating rafts, bamboo materials and other debris that had drifted ashore or accumulated around island foothills, tidal flats and coastal waters.

More than 1,000 plastic cages were collected on the first day of the clean-up campaign.

According to representatives of Ha Long Bay Conservation Centre No. 2, intensified waste collection and environmental clean-up activities not only help prevent the spread and accumulation of floating debris that affects the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay, but also constitute a practical and effective measure to safeguard the ecosystem and natural environment of the World Natural Heritage Site.

In recent years, increasing pressure from tourism activities, aquaculture operations and daily livelihoods at sea has exerted certain impacts on the environmental quality of several coastal areas surrounding the bay. Against this backdrop, regular environmental sanitation and clean-up programmes play a vital role in preserving the bay’s green, clean and scenic landscape, while helping to maintain the image and integrity of Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site in the eyes of both domestic and international visitors.

Beyond its immediate environmental impact, the campaign also seeks to strengthen public awareness and shared responsibility for heritage protection among local communities, visitors, organisations and individuals engaged in socio-economic activities within the bay area. Particular emphasis has been placed on reducing plastic waste, preventing marine littering and ensuring compliance with regulations governing the protection and conservation of the World Heritage property.

Prior to the launch of the campaign, and in order to reinforce heritage management and conservation efforts within its jurisdiction, Ha Long Bay Conservation Centre No. 2 issued an official notice requesting organisations, households and individuals to remove all floating rafts, platforms and plastic cages anchored on the water surface or stored at island foothills and mountainous areas located outside permitted or designated planning zones before 22 May 2026.

The decisive handling of unauthorised floating structures and improperly stored materials, combined with the sustained implementation of environmental sanitation measures, is expected to further enhance the effectiveness of conservation management while contributing to the long-term protection and sustainable promotion of the Outstanding Universal Value of Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site.

Huy Hoang