White is right for Halong Bay boats
The People’s Committee which look after each province in Vietnam has decided that they would like all boats in Halong Bay painted white.
Each of about 150 cruise companies plying the World Heritage-listed bay are now undergoing the expensive and time consuming task of painting each and every vessel in their fleet white.
Life Resorts Halong Bay said it has already achieved this and its fleet of luxury junks is back in the water, still distinguishable by their red sails.
No reason has been given for the move, which has perplexed tourism operators,
In February 2011 a tourist boat sank in Halong Bay, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including visitors from the US, UK, Australia, Sweden and Japan.
In September 2009, a tour boat sank during a storm on the bay, killing five, including two Britons,
Halong Bay, whose name translates as “Descending Dragon Bay”, is renowned for its limestone islands, of which there are around 3,000, which are home to small communities of fishermen who live in floating villages.
At certain times of the year, the bay is subject to heavy mists – which makes the decision to paint boats white all the more perplexing.
Ian Jarrett
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