British tourists have been advised to stay away from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, in a new travel list. Fodor’s ‘No List’ is a ranking of holiday destinations the team thinks are best avoided in 2024.
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Vietnam’s top holiday destinations. The coastal hotspot is famed for its striking limestone islands and emerald water.
Many tourists visit Ha Long Bay as part of a boat tour or cruise and it’s about three hours drive from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi.
Unfortunately, the destination’s popularity has led to it becoming overcrowded during peak season. The team at Fodor’s said it’s “not uncommon” for tourists to see rubbish floating on the water.
One tourist told the team they had been covered in orange film after swimming in the bay as part of a boat trip.
She said she realised it was diesel from a nearby cruise ship after the tour leaders started hosing guests down.
A researcher who studied marine pollution in the bay told Fodor’s the growing number of fishing communities around the bay has also exacerbated pollution.
Despite the issues, Ha Long Bay still received many positive Tripadvisor reviews from tourists who visited in 2023.
‘Rajina K’ wrote: “Ha Long Bay is a must-see destination! Ha Long Bay is an enchanting destination that must be seen to be believed.”
Responsible Travel recommends tourists choose an operator with a responsible tourism policy if they visit Ha Long Bay. The team says visitors should report anyone they see throwing litter into the water.
They also advise visitors to take a two-night cruise rather than one night as this will allow them to travel to quieter areas of the bay.