A boat of the Quảng Ninh Provincial Military Command patrol the Hạ Long Bay. — VNA/VNS Photo Đức Hiếu

QUẢNG NINH — To keep safety for tourists visiting and staying in Hạ Long Bay, the Quảng Ninh Provincial Military Command arranged a medical ship and two boats to patrol the bay all day and night since Wednesday.

The medical ship and two boats patrol from 7am to 6pm every day on tourist routes, with a permanent ship stationed at the Ti Tốp Island.

From 6pm to 7am the following day, the ships will return to the Tuần Châu Island, ensuring full-time duty.

The increase in patrol ships and checkpoints aims to keep safety of tourists visiting Hạ Long Bay, creating trust for them.

Colonel Nguyễn Ngọc Sơn, Deputy Commander of the Quảng Ninh Provincial Military Command, said that on average, each shift has from six to eight people, including the information team and the medical team.

The medical ship is equipped with four stretchers, oxygen tanks and fire extinguishers to be ready for search and rescue in case of unexpected situations.

Together with the Military Command, other forces in the province have increased inspections at ports. A number of working groups have been deployed to patrol the waterways in coordination with the port authority.

The Department of Construction will conduct unexpected inspections on tourist boats’ safety when the vehicles are anchored at ports.

Previously, the Quảng Ninh People's Committee worked with the Institute of Earth Sciences under the Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology to install an early warning system for meteorological phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning at several key locations, especially in Hạ Long Bay, Bái Tử Long Bay and coastal areas.

The work has great significance in keeping safety for people and properties as well as enhance socio-economic development in the province.

With specific actions, Quảng Ninh Province hopes to achieve the target of welcoming 20 million visitors this year, including 4.5 million international ones.

Total tourism revenue is expected to reach VNĐ50 trillion (US$1.9 billion).

In the first six months this year, Quảng Ninh tourism industry welcomed about 12.1 million visitors. Of which, domestic ones were estimated at 9.8 million and international ones were 2.3 million.

The province has also introduced many new tourism forms, forming and developing highly competitive service products while constantly improving services quality. — VNS