Quang Ninh navy sets sail on enhanced safety with technology bolstering tourists' trust
In the wake of a tragic tourist boat disaster in July 2025, Quang Ninh Province has taken significant steps to restore visitor confidence and ensure safety in Halong Bay. The new measures, implemented through a collaborative effort from various agencies, focus on enhanced patrols, technology upgrades, stricter safety protocols, and emergency preparedness.
First and foremost, 24/7 enhanced patrols and floating checkpoints have been established. The provincial Military Command deploys medical and high-speed rescue vessels daily, staffed by 6-8 personnel including medical and communication teams, equipped with stretchers, oxygen tanks, and rescue gear to ensure rapid emergency responses.
Another key measure is the mandatory installation of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) on tourist vessels. Nearly 500 boats, including those with fewer than 50 passengers, are now required or voluntarily committed to installing AIS for real-time vessel tracking of route, position, and speed to prevent boats from straying outside approved navigation channels.
The safety initiatives also include additional technology upgrades. Tourist vessels are now equipped with Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, GPS devices, and are subject to continuous monitoring via a centralized 24/7 tracking center managed by the Quang Ninh Maritime Administration, enhancing communication and operational control.
Stricter safety inspections and operational compliance are also being enforced. Various agencies conduct random and night-time inspections of vessels, ports, docks, and mooring areas. Ships failing to meet safety criteria face suspension. The Department of Construction and Inland Waterways Port Authority are involved in compliance verification.
Improved emergency equipment standards are also in place. Cruise vessels carry enhanced safety equipment exceeding international norms, including marine-grade life jackets with reflective strips and whistles, self-inflating life rafts with extra capacity, thermal blankets, first aid kits, water-activated emergency lights, and automated external defibrillators on overnight cruises.
An early warning system for extreme weather is also being developed in cooperation with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology at Halong Bay and surrounding coastal areas to prevent incidents caused by sudden hazardous weather.
Hotline numbers are displayed prominently at ports and on vessels so visitors can report any safety concerns directly to the authorities. The province has also increased patrols on Halong Bay to ensure safety regulations are being followed.
The AIS system enables authorities to monitor each vessel's route, position, and speed, ensuring no boat operates outside designated channels and routes. AIS devices were previously mandatory only for passenger boats carrying more than 50 people, but now vessels with fewer than 50 seats have also committed to installing them. Other essential safety equipment, such as VHF radios and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, have also been fitted to vessels.
The owner of the 48-seat Roong Viet boat, which operates on Halong Bay, has completed installation of VHF radios and AIS-integrated navigation systems. These initiatives aim to rebuild tourist trust by significantly tightening safety protocols, advancing technological oversight, and ensuring rapid emergency response following the tragic capsizing of the Vinh Xanh 58 boat on July 19, 2025, which caused 39 deaths.
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