Hue probes tourist boat littering in Perfume River

Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre News

Hue authorities are investigating a video that appears to show staff on a tourist dragon boat throwing beer cans and plastic bottles into the Perfume River, one of central Vietnam’s best-known heritage waterways.

The footage, which spread on social media, shows people on a dragon boat throwing rubbish into the river after visitors had disembarked. The vessel was reportedly docked near a pedestrian area, where passers-by watched and recorded the incident.

Tran Thi Hoai Tram, head of Hue City’s Department of Tourism, said on Monday that officials were reviewing the footage and would handle the case under regulations. The video has drawn criticism online, with viewers saying the conduct conflicts with Hue’s image as a clean and environmentally conscious heritage city.

Tourism reputation at stake

The Perfume River, known locally as the Huong River, runs through the heart of Hue and is closely tied to the former imperial capital’s tourism appeal. Dragon-boat trips are a familiar part of the visitor experience, particularly for travellers exploring the riverfront and historic sites.

For tourists, the video is a reminder that the quality of an attraction depends not only on scenery but also on the way it is managed. Litter in a major waterway can affect public confidence, damage a destination’s image and

18 August 2026

18 August 2026 create wider environmental concerns.

This is not the first such allegation involving tourist boats on the river. In 2020, operators of two dragon boats were fined around VND8 million, about US$305, after boats were filmed scattering votive paper offerings into the water.

What happens next

Authorities have not yet announced whether the boat or individuals in the latest footage have been identified, or what sanction may follow. Their review will determine whether regulations on tourism operations and environmental protection were breached.

Hue has promoted itself as a green and heritage-focused destination. A prompt, visible response to the incident will matter for residents and for visitors deciding whether the city’s flagship river experiences meet those standards.