After one month of implementation, the campaign “Saying No to single use plastic products on Ha Long Bay” has been positively responded by tourism service enterprises as well as tourists. However, there are still obstacles and difficulties during the implementation process.
Tourism units on Ha Long Bay performed quite well not to use nylon bags and single-use plastic products. Plastic water bottles are replaced with glass ones, crock and porcelain cups to serve tourists. Many propaganda slogans are posted in the easy – to – see positions for visitors to follow.
On islands, tourists implemented quite well the use of the glass water bottles, threw away and classified garbage at the regulated places. According to the cleaning staff on the Titov island, after one month of implementation, not only plastic waste but also the amount of ordinary waste has been reduced. Most importantly, tourists’ awareness has been raised and the litter no long occurs. Mrs Aysem Isil Orun – a German tourist said “I am very impressed with the beauty of Ha Long Bay. After getting on the boat, I was introduced to the movement limiting nylon bags and single-use plastic products. I think it is very necessary and we respond to it to protect the environment on the bay”
However, within one month, many units have not yet able to completely converted plastic products into paper or environmentally friendly nylon bags. Currently, there are still businesses using the single-use plastic bowls and dishes to serve tourists.
Pollution from plastic waste is always a “hard question” for managers and tourism staff as well. Therefore, some tourist boats have proposed Ha Long Bay Management Board and relevant sectors to install more booths which sell paper and environmentally friendly nylon bags at the tourist wharves, piers and attractions. The movement “Saying no to nylon bags and single-use plastic products” must be regularly propagated, becoming a long-term campaign with stricter regulations to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Translated by Thu Giang
