Aerial view of the Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong. Photo by Ngo Tran Hai An

 

One visitor drowned after two tourist ships collided in Lan Ha Bay off Hai Phong's Cat Ba Island in northern Vietnam Sunday morning.

 

Local reports said the collision took place between two ships helmed by 38-year-old Hoang Van Tung and 42-year-old Nguyen Van Lien, causing Lien's to sink and eleven people were thrown overboard.

 

Officers of the Cat Ba border guards managed to rescue the eleven people, but the body of 56-year-old Bui Thi Nhung was found at noon, stuck inside the ship.

 

Lieutenant colonel Nguyen The Cu, head of the Cat Ba border guards, said both vessels were carrying tourists from the Beo Port to sightsee Lan Ha Bay.

 

They collided about 3.7 km from the Beo Port.

 

There were strong waves at the time, he said.

 

An initial investigation has revealed that as the vessels were running parallel with each other, Lien's vessel sped up suddenly, causing the collision.

 

Lan Ha Bay, unknown sister of the world-famous Ha Long Bay, is located to the east of Cat Ba Islands, home to around four hundred islands.

 

In recent years, the 7,000-hectare bay has emerged as an attractive tourist destination.

 

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Such a shame.

People visit Vietnam for its sheer beauty and attractive unique landscapes.

A tragedy that the tourism industry can do without.

Maybe a good system of maritime certifications and regulations for vessels would improve the shipping industry for tourism.