Experts have voiced the importance of proper wastewater treatment aboard tourist boats in the efforts to protect the environment at Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh.

During a conference organized in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province on Tuesday afternoon, many experts stressed the significance of sustainable tourism development as well as how to attract investment in waste treatment projects at the tourist destination.

According to Jake Brunner, a representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Vietnam, environmental protection and natural heritage preservation are crucial in Ha Long.

The entire society must take part in the efforts, Brunner stated, adding that the contribution of the private sector plays an essential role.

One of the measures suggested during the gathering was improving the quality of local tourist boats, especially their wastewater treatment mechanisms.

Those ships that meet the standards for waste treatment will be granted a type of certification, while those failing to obtain the certificate will not be allowed to operate, a pundit recommended.

During the period of 2015-21, authorities in Quang Ninh Province are set to channel about US$154 million in ODA (official development assistance) into implementing wastewater treatment and drainage projects across Ha Long City.

These actions are considered necessary as local authorities are preparing for Ha Long Bay’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to be extended to the Cat Ba Archipelago, located in neighboring Hai Phong City.

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