Controversial Ha Long Bay buffer zone project fined for environmental violations
Do Gia Capital Company Limited, the investor of a controversial urban area project in a buffer zone for Ha Long Bay, has been fined VND125 million ($5,140) for environmental violations.
Quang Ninh province authorities said Tuesday that the fines were imposed after a Monday inspection found several environmental violations in the 3.88 hectares of the Ha Long Bay buffer zone, considered an ecologically sensitive area. The inspectors ordered an immediate halt to construction pending corrective measures.
The violations included failure to publicize the approved environmental assessment report and to deploy the project accordingly.
While one kilometer of the road construction had been completed, the investor did nothing to prevent the spill of mud, soil and rocks into the sea at several sections, inspectors found.
The controversial urban area being built in the buffer zone of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Dan Tri (People's Intellect) newspaper.
The 31.8-hectare project in block 10B, Quang Hanh ward, Cam Pha town includes 3.88 hectares of the Ha Long Bay buffer zone. Approved in October 2021, project construction began in July 2023 and was scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2026.
The project, which features construction of 451 villas and semi-detached houses, hotels and commercial facilities, has attracted severe criticism from experts and the general public. However, several people have voiced that the project had been screened by central and provincial agencies before being approved and will contribute to local socioeconomic development.
Project investor Do Gia Capital was founded in November 2021 with a registered capital of VND200 billion ($8.22 million). The figure tripled after a year.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has asked Quang Ninh province to cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure suitable construction and design of the project towards minimizing impacts on Ha Long Bay, one of the country’s most popular tourism sites.
It has also asked the province to pay attention to construction density and avoid any obstruction of the view to the sea.
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