Exploitation of Ha Long Bay

“The environment of Ha Long Bay is under threat as coal mining, land reclamation, and aquaculture activities are increasingly prevalent…”

Mr. Ngo Hung, head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, expressed his frustration, stating to TTCN “If this trend continues without timely intervention, the environment of the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay will be severely devastated.”

Historically, when people mention Quang Ninh, they often think of the famous tourist destination, Ha Long Bay. However, few are aware that this area also hosts a coal mining region that operates continuously day and night. Major roads in the city, such as Cao Xanh and Ha Lam, require regular watering throughout the year due to dust.

“Polluting industries” alongside “clean industries”

The “thoughtless” land reclamation project by Royal International Corporation

According to Mr. Ngo Hung, the environmental pollution situation in Ha Long City is a major concern for both residents and authorities. However, efforts to address this issue often stall because coal companies continue to increase their mining capacity. Currently, most wastewater and acid-leaching soil from the mines are discharged directly into the bay without any treatment processes.

At coal mines like Ha Tu, Cầu Trắng Port, and Cao Sơn, waste dumping continues to be a problem. At coal ports, the transportation and unloading of coal still occur in “absolutely protected” areas. Many large vessels that cannot dock at the port resort to transshipment, leading to significant amounts of coal spilling into Ha Long Bay.

A 2004 environmental status report for Ha Long Bay indicated that coastal areas of the bay are showing signs of localized pollution due to increased total suspended solids (TSS) and decreased dissolved oxygen (DO); the presence of nitrites and Coliform bacteria in regions such as Lán Bè, Vựng Đâng, and the southern Cầu Trắng coal port have raised turbidity levels to or above permissible standards.

“The water in Ha Long Bay is no longer crystal clear,” exclaimed Mr. Nguyễn Thế Hưng, a resident on Hải Trường Street in Hồng Hải Ward. He mentioned that years ago, he would swim in the bay, but since last summer, he has refrained from entering the water for fear of contamination.

Threats…

Land reclamation on Ha Long Bay

According to statistics from the Ha Long Bay Management Board, there are currently 21 land reclamation projects and 17 mud disposal projects in the Ha Long – Cẩm Phả area. If these projects are carried out according to regulations and procedures, they could help the city of Ha Long effectively address urban planning issues.

Additionally, these land reclamation projects aim to urbanize the area and develop tourism and recreational sites, enhancing the attractiveness of Ha Long Bay for visitors. However, these projects currently pose a serious direct threat to the heritage area.

According to regulations, land reclamation projects must strictly adhere to guidelines such as: constructing protective embankments, preventing sedimentation before disposal; conducting environmental impact assessments; developing technical execution plans; implementing environmental monitoring; and dredging mud upon project completion. Projects must comply with approved designs, proper land leveling procedures, and correctly dispose of earth, rock, and mud at designated sites.

Recently, the Royal International Corporation initiated a park project that “thoughtlessly” reclaimed land without approval from the provincial People’s Committee. By the time authorities became aware, it was already too late. The provincial People’s Committee responded by assigning the Department of Finance and relevant agencies to propose land use fees for the area the company encroached upon (!).

Moreover, the destruction and loss of mangrove forests are occurring at alarming rates. Statistics show that from 1998 to 2003, 866 hectares of mangrove forest along Ha Long Bay’s coastline were lost. Of this, 732 hectares were cleared for aquaculture. The Quang Ninh Department of Science and Technology estimates that the destruction of mangrove forests along Ha Long Bay has simultaneously reduced seafood yields and increased pollution levels along the coast, spreading contaminants into the bay.

The consequences of unregulated land excavation and reclamation have led to the loss of mangrove areas, narrowing water flow, and increased sedimentation in Ha Long Bay.

This sedimentation is also linked to mud suction and disposal projects. There are 17 mud disposal projects into Ha Long Bay with a total volume of 4,742,155 cubic meters (4,507,829 cubic meters have been executed). However, no regulatory agency is currently monitoring this indiscriminate disposal in Ha Long Bay. Many projects have illegally discharged mud into the absolutely protected areas and buffer zones of Ha Long Bay.

In 2004, Ha Long received 1,551,000 visitors. With the increasing number of visitors, boat services have also increased. Most boats lack wastewater collection and treatment systems, discharging all waste directly into the bay. Many fuel boats operate freely in the bay without any restrictions. The waste and leaks from these mobile fuel stations are directly released into the heritage area.

As tourists enjoy visiting fishing villages in the bay, many onshore residents have “relocated” to the bay to operate floating restaurants or engage in aquaculture. Currently, there are 126 illegal floating rafts, all of which lack environmental sanitation permits and discharge waste directly into the sea.

Additionally, aquaculture using ponds and nets is quite common. In Ha Long City, there are 1,140 hectares, 686 hectares in Hoành Bồ District, and 500 hectares in Cẩm Phả Town. This phenomenon has altered the coastal land structure, increasing the risk of erosion and sedimentation, and raising water turbidity levels.

In July 2005, an inspection of 21 land reclamation projects revealed that only:

– 5 projects conducted mud dredging

– 1 project submitted periodic environmental reports

– 2 projects implemented environmental monitoring

– 11 projects lacked environmental impact assessments

– 16 projects had technical designs for construction

– 12 projects did not implement embankment or sedimentation prevention measures

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