Provincial authorities have required boats owners in Ha Long Bay to follow safety procedures in accordance with the Vietnam Standard 5801-2005.
The boats will be required to have global positioning systems, radios to hear weather forecast updates, anti-lightning mechanisms, life jackets and a fire fighting and prevention system.
In addition, wooden passenger boats have changed the colour of their hulls from the traditional brown to white, according to a Vietnam News correspondent in the province of Quang Ninh .
The change will be completed before April 30, and the boats will be checked by relevant sectors and will receive new operation licences.
The white passenger boats will have hulls made of iron or composite, which are believed to be safer materials than wood.
The province has banned construction of wooden passenger boats and will discourage enterprises from offering overnight accommodations for tourists on the bay.
Early last year, the sinking of Truong Hai 06 resulted in the deaths of 12 tourists in Ha Long Bay.
Around 2.4 million tourists visited Ha Long Bay in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 20 percent over the same period last year.-VNA
The boats will be required to have global positioning systems, radios to hear weather forecast updates, anti-lightning mechanisms, life jackets and a fire fighting and prevention system.
In addition, wooden passenger boats have changed the colour of their hulls from the traditional brown to white, according to a Vietnam News correspondent in the province of Quang Ninh .
The change will be completed before April 30, and the boats will be checked by relevant sectors and will receive new operation licences.
The white passenger boats will have hulls made of iron or composite, which are believed to be safer materials than wood.
The province has banned construction of wooden passenger boats and will discourage enterprises from offering overnight accommodations for tourists on the bay.
Early last year, the sinking of Truong Hai 06 resulted in the deaths of 12 tourists in Ha Long Bay.
Around 2.4 million tourists visited Ha Long Bay in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 20 percent over the same period last year.-VNA
