Water pollution: Is it an issue in Halong Bay?

Why is Halong Bay water dirty?

Industrial and domestic waste has had the biggest impact on the water in Halong Bay. This waste occurs due to the Halong Bay tourist business stimulating demand for goods and services to support the industry. Therefore, heavy metals and large amounts of suspended solids, trash, and non-biodegradable plastic are so frequently discharged into the Bay, resulting in a negative impact on the water quality. 

Oil and grease

The point sources of oil in Halong Bay are the result of tourist boat activities. The diesel engines of the boats are untuned and maintained simultaneously to produce thick smoke and oil leaks. This oil spot spread, evaporated, diffused, and stuck to floating materials before dispersing into the riverbed. This has a negative impact on the Halong Bay landscape environment and numerous species of underwater ecosystems.

Heavy metals

Due to their toxicity, the presence of heavy metals, when in excess levels, will have an impact on the water. In Halong Bay, the neighboring hotels are powered by the burning of coal in local processing factories, which releases a lot of metals into the air, and some of them may, unfortunately, reach the Bay area.

Trash and non-biodegradable plastic

The amount of trash and non-biodegradable plastic on Halong Bay is a result of tourism-related activities as well as coastal urban and residential areas. Although the awareness has been enhanced, some visitors and service staff continue to throw garbage into the ocean without thinking. Additionally, the water at Ha Long Bay is polluted by the trash from the rafts used for aquaculture and the thousands of fishing boats that regularly operate and anchor.

How does water pollution affect tourism activities in Halong Bay?

Despite having a pleasing landscape with limestone mountains, caves, and beaches, water pollution in Ha Long Bay will directly affect its ability to draw tourists from abroad and locally.

Ha Long Bay loses some of its attractiveness due to water pollution leading to a decrease in the income of indigenous people, the tourism industry in particular, and the country's economy in general. A French traveler who recently visited the islands wrote on TripAdvisor, "I feel scared because of the level of water pollution here." Besides, water pollution also causes an imbalance in the ecosystem by impacting organisms, plants, and landscapes of the world's wonder.

In conclusion, to overcome these consequences, Quang Ninh province needs to have practical solutions and collaborate with businesses and organizations engaged in tourism-related activities on the Bay. Building a green eco-tourism system and advancing tourism development are mutually supportive endeavors. Sealife Group is a pioneer in cruise tourism on Halong Bay, always committed to providing you with safe, quality trips that do not harm the marine ecosystem. Check out our cruising tour here.