No injuries were reported after a fire broke out on board a tourist junk on Ha Long Bay on Monday afternoon.
A boat fire on Ha Long Bay in 2016.
According to local authorities, the fire broke out at around 3 pm on a Bhaya Cruises Company vessel while it was anchored at Cua Van Floating Village on Ha Long Bay.
"The fire was quickly noticed and put out by the crew while the seven passengers including five Americans and two Vietnamese were out on a kayak tour in the area," authorities said.
"The crew managed to move all the passengers’ luggage from the boat."
The wooden boat was built in 2003 and restored in 2012. It left Tuan Chau Tourist Wharf at noon on February 13 carrying seven passengers and five crew members who intended to stay overnight on the bay, the authorities added.
Vice chairman of Quang Ninh Province People's Committee, Vu Van Dien, arrived at the site to direct the rescue work and investigation.
Dien said that they had just ordered a fire safety check-up at all tourist cruise boats operating on the bay following a fire on January 10, but this was a new incident despite precautions.
A cruise ship in Ha Long Bay carrying 21 people including 14 foreign tourists caught fire on January 10. Luckily all the passengers and crew members were rescued.
Fire safety has long been a concern among tourists on cruise trips in Ha Long Bay, a world heritage site beloved by many foreign visitors to Vietnam. Incidents have continued happening, even after officials reportedly stepped up inspections.
Local authorities recently announced plans to replace all wooden boats and ships with metal vessels in the next five years.
Dtinews