Tourist safety fears after Vietnam boat tragedy
Source: Agencies |
October 7, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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BY the time Michael Chai spotted the other boat bearing down on his craft, it was too late to shout a warning to the captain, and the vessels collided. Within a few seconds, he and 17 other Taiwanese tourists were plunged into Vietnam's Halong Bay, without life jackets, fighting to survive.
Five people in the party of tourists drowned in Wednesday's accident, trapped under the hull of their capsized boat, raising fresh questions over safety standards in one of Vietnam's most visited attractions.
"I love this country, but am worried about safety," Chai said in a telephone interview on Friday from Halong Bay. "The government should be responsible for this."
Each day, up to 10,000 tourists from around the world sail Halong Bay, a UNESCO heritage site three hours east of Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. For many, it's the highlight of their trip to this scenic Southeast Asian country. But at least four deadly accidents over the last 10 years and many more alarming safety incidents recounted on travelers' blogs have led to allegations that tour companies are cutting corners.
The hundreds of boats that sail the bay are of varying quality, from luxury wooden junks to basic vessels.
At the bottom end of the market, two-day tours can be booked for as little as US$80 in some travel agencies in Hanoi's tourist-clogged Old Quarter.
The Taiwanese tourists had booked their cruise with one of the more expensive and well-regarded companies, Halong Paradise Cruises.
Chai said there were no life jackets on the boat. "There should have been better safety procedures. On the big boat and our boat, there were no medical or emergency supplies," he said. "How can you run a company like this?"
Halong Paradise Cruises declined to comment, saying it was too busy looking after the families of the victims.
Authorities say they are investigating Wednesday's incident and will charge the boat's captain.
Last year, 12 people from nine nations died when their boat sank in Halong Bay early in the morning as those on board slept. The captain of the boat was sentenced to 10 years in jail, the chief engineer to eight. An investigation into the accident found that crew had forgotten to close a valve.
Last year, 6 million tourists visited Vietnam. Tourism is a vital industry in Vietnam, providing jobs for thousands.
Five people in the party of tourists drowned in Wednesday's accident, trapped under the hull of their capsized boat, raising fresh questions over safety standards in one of Vietnam's most visited attractions.
"I love this country, but am worried about safety," Chai said in a telephone interview on Friday from Halong Bay. "The government should be responsible for this."
Each day, up to 10,000 tourists from around the world sail Halong Bay, a UNESCO heritage site three hours east of Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. For many, it's the highlight of their trip to this scenic Southeast Asian country. But at least four deadly accidents over the last 10 years and many more alarming safety incidents recounted on travelers' blogs have led to allegations that tour companies are cutting corners.
The hundreds of boats that sail the bay are of varying quality, from luxury wooden junks to basic vessels.
At the bottom end of the market, two-day tours can be booked for as little as US$80 in some travel agencies in Hanoi's tourist-clogged Old Quarter.
The Taiwanese tourists had booked their cruise with one of the more expensive and well-regarded companies, Halong Paradise Cruises.
Chai said there were no life jackets on the boat. "There should have been better safety procedures. On the big boat and our boat, there were no medical or emergency supplies," he said. "How can you run a company like this?"
Halong Paradise Cruises declined to comment, saying it was too busy looking after the families of the victims.
Authorities say they are investigating Wednesday's incident and will charge the boat's captain.
Last year, 12 people from nine nations died when their boat sank in Halong Bay early in the morning as those on board slept. The captain of the boat was sentenced to 10 years in jail, the chief engineer to eight. An investigation into the accident found that crew had forgotten to close a valve.
Last year, 6 million tourists visited Vietnam. Tourism is a vital industry in Vietnam, providing jobs for thousands.
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