QUẢNG NINH — More than 100 university students, representatives from tour operators and environmental organisations, came together to collect rubbish in the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage of Hạ Long Bay.

Volunteers collect trash on a beach in Hạ Long Bay. — Photo courtesy of Bhaya Cruises

The volunteers took part in the seventh edition of the "Clean the Bay" initiative which has been spearheaded and organsied by Bhaya Cruises and esteemed partners.

The event is to emphasise a renewed focus on imparting zero-waste principles to industry stakeholders, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in the tourism sector. It also aims to address the pollution and garbage situation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Besides cleaning up the beaches, volunteers also collected floating trash. — Photo courtesy of Bhaya Cruises

Since its launch in 2017, the "Clean the Bay" initiative has evolved into an annual cleanup event, generating heightened community awareness and achieving significant advancements.

Each year, more than 1.7 kilometres of coastline are cleaned up, demonstrating the community's dedication to maintaining the area's natural beauty. Prior to embarking on this endeavor, representatives from participating organisations gathered for an informative session on board The Au Co cruise, a flagship product of Bhaya Cruises, delving into the nuances of waste management, strategies to reduce litter and the imperative of fostering a sustainable tourism ethos.

The 'Clean the Bay' initiative has heightened community awareness on environment protection. — Photo courtesy of Bhaya Cruises

Guided by seasoned experts and armed with a common dedication to environmental preservation, volunteers embarked on a mission to rid the coastline of Hạ Long Bay of litter and debris, ultimately collecting more than 250kg of trash, 800 pieces of polystyrene, 490 pieces of plastic waste and 220 pieces of various garbage kinds.

Beyond the tangible results, the event acted as a catalyst for community engagement and empowerment, inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards to take the lead and promote conservation.

With plans already underway to create collective 'Clean the Bay' funding contributed by travel agents and their passengers to maintain the daily clean-up efforts, momentum continues to build as Bhaya Cruises and stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to protecting the natural heritage of Hạ Long Bay for generations to come.

Volunteers of Clean the Bay 2024  were from different destination management companies and universities. — Photo courtesy of Bhaya Cruises

Eileen Cameron, representing Wide Eyed Tour, expressed her enthusiasm after taking part in the event.

“There was a lot of rubbish in Hạ Long Bay when I first visited in 2015, but I've noticed improvements since then," she said.

"Although the amount of waste collected today may be small compared to the overall extent in the bay, we hope that after this event, all participants will feel a sense of responsibility to promote the importance of maintaining a clean environment, thus spreading the message to others”. — VNS