Authorities in Co To Island District off Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam recently imposed administrative fines on a group of 12 tourists hailing from different localities across the country for camping without permission in a border island area.

A culture official of Co To District told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that local inspectors discovered a boat, numbered HP - 3624, manned by Le Thai Son, a 28-year-old local man, and a group of 12 tourists camping overnight on Bo Cat Islet at around 1:00 am on Sunday.

The tourist group told the inspectors that they arrived in the locality at around 3:00 pm on Saturday, but none registered for an overnight stay in the maritime border area with the local authorities as per the regulations.

The inspectors then booked the 12 tourists for their administrative violation and fined each of them VND400,000 (US$17).

The officers also handed a record of the administrative violations to Son for failing to provide customers with clear, honest information about travel services, failing to present the original certificate of sea vehicle registration, and not having professional certificates as prescribed.

The place where the tourists camped holds great importance in terms of national security and defense and is considered the frontline islet in Vietnam’s northeast sea, as it is located only 10 nautical miles from the demarcation line of the Gulf of Tonkin, according to the culture official.

All unregistered activities of tourism, sightseeing, camping, and relaxation in this area are prohibited and strictly handled in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, recently viral photos boasting the natural beauty of Bo Cat Island have hiked the demand for visits.

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