Joining hands to keep the sea clean
Hai Phong is mobilizing authorities, sectors, businesses and residents to work together to create clean, litter-free coastal areas, contributing to sustainable marine tourism and economic development.
Assigning responsibility to every stakeholder
In the final days of October, every tourist boat departing from Hon Dau Wharf in Do Son Ward not only carried visitors out to explore the beauty of the islands and sea but also took on a new task: collecting floating waste along its route. This is the spirit behind the initiative “One Waste-Collection Net on Every Tourist Boat – Joining Hands to Keep Do Son's Sea Clean,” launched on October 21 by the Ward Public Service Center in coordination with the Do Son Border Guard Station, Hon Dau International Tourism JSC, boat owners and crew members.
The initiative aims to make environmental protection a routine part of maritime transport and tourism services. Boat owners are provided with waste-collection equipment and required to sign commitments not to dump waste into the sea. They are also encouraged to collect floating litter, remind visitors not to throw rubbish overboard, and limit the use of plastic bags, bottles and single-use cups.
Luu Thi Thu Huyen, Director of the Ward Public Service Center, said a recent survey found that plastic waste generated by tourism businesses in the ward accounted for 18.7% of total household waste, nearly twice the citywide average. Making each boat responsible for collecting waste is therefore a practical way to prevent pollution at its source, rather than waiting until rubbish washes ashore for collection.
In Cat Ba area, marine environmental protection also requires regular coordination among management agencies, tourism businesses, service providers, fishermen and households engaged in cage aquaculture.
To improve waste collection, the Management Board has divided the bay into four areas, assigning boats and personnel to each. It has also called on tourist boat operators, fishermen and aquaculture facilities to promptly report any floating waste they spot so that vessels and personnel can be mobilized to remove it.
Rather than relying solely on the authorities, many businesses are also taking the initiative. At Hai Phong Floating Raft Restaurant, in the waters near Thoi Quyt Islet, staff regularly monitor the surrounding area, collect floating waste and sort the rubbish generated on site before placing it at designated collection points for specialized vessels to transport for treatment. These efforts show how environmental responsibility is gradually becoming integrated into business operations and tourism activities across the bay.
Building lasting momentum
For these initiatives to go beyond short-term campaigns, it is essential to maintain regular operations, clearly assign responsibilities, and ensure the availability of collection equipment, designated storage points and appropriate waste transportation and treatment procedures.
Le Quoc Tien, Secretary of the Do Son Ward Party Committee, emphasized that behind clean and beautiful beaches lies the hard work of environmental sanitation workers. On some days, they have to start as early as 2 – 3 am to clear rubbish and ensure it is transported to treatment facilities by morning. For this reason, the ward considers marine environmental protection a regular, long-term responsibility rather than a campaign-based activity or an effort limited to the tourist season.
Pham Van Hop, Head of the Construction, Agriculture and Environment Division of the Cat Hai Special Zone People's Committee, also said that for around 10 years, the former Cat Hai District authorities, now the Cat Hai Special Zone authorities, have regularly organized a “Green Sunday” once a month, mobilizing people across the island to collect and transport waste to treatment facilities. Waste from the bay is collected by the Management Board of the Bays in the Cat Ba Archipelago and taken to designated gathering points before being transported to the Cha Cha Lagoon landfill for treatment. Local authorities are now studying ways to upgrade waste treatment technology at the site, with the aim of keeping the island's environment, including its bays, clean and green.
When everyone recognizes that keeping the sea clean also means protecting livelihoods, preserving ecosystems and safeguarding natural resources for future generations, Hai Phong will have a stronger foundation for achieving its goal of becoming a green, civilized, modern and sustainably developed port city.
HAI VAN