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The BBC Television has covered cruise safety in Vietnam’s Ha Long
Bay.
In the film footage Carmen Roberts reported that it has been almost a year since
12 people died on a tourist boat sinking in Ha Long Bay, which was recently
voted as one of the world’s seven new natural wonders in 2011. The accident has
prompted a complete safety overhaul, she said.
Carmen said that thanks to great efforts by local authorities, Ha Long Bay
cruise services have improved remarkably with safety equipment for tourists.
The BBC film footage focused on some cruise service providers, such as Bahya, Au
Co and Emeraude, to see whether they meet safety standards or not. Au Co is
among those meeting international safety standards in the Gulf of Tonkin.
It also touched upon Z189 shipyard in the northern port city of Haiphong, which
is currently one of the most modern and prestigious shipbuilding factories in
Vietnam. As the shipyard meets international shipbuilding standards, it is
providing cruises for Au Co under the strict management of Vietnamese and French
experts.
In recent months, the number of foreign arrivals has increased sharply. The
local department for culture, sports and tourism said Ha Long Bay welcomed more
than 337,000 tourists in January 2012, up 14 percent compared to the same month
of last year.
Visitors to Ha Long Bay enjoyed free entrance ticket from January 23 to February
5.
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