Brits urged to avoid 'natural wonder of the world' now full of litter and crowds
A bay voted one of the world's natural wonders is overcrowded and worth avoiding, according to a no travel list.
If Ha Long Bay is known for anything, it is being beautiful. The stretch of coastline in Vietnam has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of thousands of limestone karsts and islets, which rise sharply from the water and create a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape.
At the beginning of last decade it was voted one of the seven natural wonders of the world, earning a place alongside geographical greats such as the Amazon Rainforest and Jeju Island in South Korea.
The problem some visitors to the area have been having in recent years is that they're far from alone in wanting to check out this stunning place. An increasingly big issue Ha Long Bay has is how many people include it in their route around the south-east Asian country.
The area has something of a rubbish problem (AFP via Getty Images)Fodor’s ‘No List’ is a ranking of holiday destinations the travel team there thinks are best avoided in 2024. They have said it’s “not uncommon” for tourists to see rubbish floating on the water, with one visitor saying they had been covered in orange film after swimming in the bay as part of a boat trip.
Eight remote and beautiful but brutal jobs if you want to leave it all behind
She said she realised it was diesel from a nearby cruise ship after the tour leaders started hosing guests down. A researcher who studied marine pollution in the bay told Fodor’s the growing number of fishing communities around the bay has also exacerbated pollution.
“The problem in the bay right now is that there’s too many people there and they don’t have an effective waste management treatment solution,” researcher David, who studied marine pollution in the bay and has been living in Hanoi for more than five years, told Fodors.
"All the plastic is going straight into the water, and they have far too many people going on huge cruise liners.”
One visitor who recently took a trip to Ha Long Bay is Johnny Chen, who wrote about the experience and all the rubbish he found on his website. He recalled: "The problem has been exacerbated by the increasing number of visitors to the area, which has resulted in an accumulation of plastic waste and other debris in the water and on the beaches.
Some have found the popular area to be a little too busy (Getty Images)"One of the major causes of the trash problem is the lack of proper waste management systems in the region. Many local communities and businesses do not have access to adequate waste collection and disposal services, which has led to the improper disposal of trash in the water and on the land. Additionally, the large number of tourists who visit Ha Long Bay each year generates a significant amount of waste that is not always properly managed."
The rubbish problem and the fact that tourism has played a significant role in causing it led Fodors to urge those considering a trip to the area to stay away from Ha Long Bay.
Responsible Travel recommends tourists choose an operator with a responsible tourism policy if they visit the area. The team says visitors should report anyone they see throwing litter into the water. They also advise taking a two-night cruise rather than one night as this will allow them to travel to quieter areas of the bay.
It's worth noting that if you are going to book a cruise in the area, ensure you pick a reputable tour operator.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
