Tourists banned from bringing plastic items to northern Vietnam's Co To islands

Tourists will be banned from bringing plastic bags and disposable plastic items to islands in Co To district, the northern province of Quang Ninh, from Friday.

The ban aims to reduce plastic waste and marine environmental pollution on the islands, said the district People's Committee on Tuesday. Quang Ninh is home to UNESCO-recognized heritage site Ha Long Bay.

All administrative units, schools, markets, business establishments, and fishing vessels in the island district will also be prohibited from using these items.

To observe this rule, district police and border guards will set up a checkpoint at Co To port. Transport units, passenger ships, tourism service and accommodation providers are being asked to spread the message and replace plastic items with those made from environmentally friendly materials.

Nguyen Hai Linh, head of the district's culture, information and tourism department, said that since August 2022, Co To has been encouraging tourists and residents not to use plastic bags or single-use plastic items.

Dozens of trash bins have been installed in public places, beaches, and markets, while tourists and residents have been provided with paper bags as part of a project to reduce plastic waste.

Thanks to these efforts, the marine environment in Co To has improved, with some rare animals such as turtles and dolphins returning to the islands. Public awareness of replacing plastic items with environmentally friendly products has also improved.

Co To is a popular destination among travelers thanks to its pristine natural beauty and high-quality tourism products. So far this year, the island district has welcomed 298,000 visitors, up 52% year-on-year.