Lam Dong Tightens Controls to Ensure Coastal Tourism Safety for National Day Holiday
The five-day National Day holiday is expected to bring a surge in visitors to Lam Dong's coastal and island destinations. Alongside preparations to serve tourists, local authorities are tightening controls on vessels, passengers and weather conditions to proactively prevent incidents and ensure safety on every trip to the sea and islands.
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Controlling Vessels and Passengers at the Pier
According to Nguyen Truong Sa, Chairman of the Lien Huong Commune People's Committee, Hoang Phuc Binh Thuan inland waterway port is an authorized passenger port serving the Lien Huong - Hon Cau route in the SB area. The port's operation was extended by the Lien Huong Commune People's Committee in March 2026.
During operations, the port and vessels must fully comply with inland waterway traffic safety regulations, particularly during adverse weather.
The Lien Huong Commune People's Committee is coordinating with relevant agencies to strengthen inspections and supervision at the port, promptly detect and handle violations, thereby contributing to the safety of residents and tourists traveling between Lien Huong and Hon Cau.
The Hon Cau tour, which can be completed as a day trip or combined with an overnight stay, has recently become increasingly popular, attracting young visitors from several provinces and cities, including Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.
Completely separated from the mainland, Hon Cau is often described by visitors as a “green paradise” thanks to its pristine natural beauty. In particular, Hon Cau tours are most popular from the fourth to the eighth lunar months, when the sea is generally calm and island tourism becomes busier.
Lieutenant Colonel Dang Hoai Vi, Deputy Chief of the Lien Huong Commune Police, said tour operators must register the number of tourists with the border guard station before taking visitors to the island. Vessels must implement all necessary safety measures for both passengers and crew members.
Vessels must also complete all border guard procedures and comply with regulations governing people and vessels operating in the coastal border area.
Tightening Controls at Ke Ga
In the Ke Ga area of Tan Thanh Commune, inland waterway vessels transporting visitors to the Ke Ga Lighthouse historical and architectural site are also subject to strengthened inspections and controls.
Mai Thi Ngoc Anh, Chairwoman of the Tan Thanh Commune People's Committee, said the locality has coordinated with the commune police, the Ke Ga Lighthouse Management Station and relevant agencies to strengthen inspections and review the safety, registration and inspection status of inland waterway vessels before they transport visitors.
Local authorities closely monitor every trip and limit the number of passengers on each vessel to no more than 50% of its designed carrying capacity.
Specifically, a vessel designed to carry 20 people may transport a maximum of 10 passengers per trip. The passenger limit is intended to match the capacity of local rescue services.
Violations of inland waterway traffic safety regulations will be strictly handled.
In addition, the Ke Ga Lighthouse Management Station coordinates the provision of weather and marine condition information. Vessels are not permitted to operate when winds exceed Force 5, while adverse weather conditions are promptly communicated to help prevent safety risks.
Ensuring Safety on Hon Tranh Tours
In Phu Quy Special Zone, Hon Tranh is one of the destinations favored by tourists during holidays. Local authorities are strengthening controls over inland waterway passenger transport to the area.
Nguyen Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Phu Quy Special Zone People's Committee, said Hon Tranh tours are permitted to operate and are subject to border guard controls in accordance with regulations.
Local authorities regularly review and compile information on speedboats and inland waterway vessels, their operating areas, anchorage points and passenger pick-up and drop-off locations. Vessels that fail to meet safety requirements or operate outside approved tours, routes or areas are promptly rectified.
Phu Quy Special Zone currently has two businesses operating inland waterway vessels transporting tourists to Hon Tranh. Operators must prepare complete passenger lists before departure and may carry only the number of passengers specified in their vessel inspection certificates.
Vessels must be fully equipped with life jackets, and passengers are required to wear them throughout the journey. Vessel operators must hold all required professional qualifications and certificates and maintain radio communication while traveling.
In particular, vessels are not permitted to operate when wind speeds exceed Force 5.
To ensure the safety of waterway tourism activities during the holiday, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has directed authorities to strengthen the management of inland waterway vessels and speedboats serving passenger transport, sightseeing, tourism, recreation and entertainment activities on the sea, rivers and lakes.
Accordingly, the provincial police will take the lead in reviewing and advising on the completion of coordinated inland waterway search-and-rescue and emergency response plans, while preparing vehicles and equipment for timely response to accidents and incidents.
Relevant authorities are required to strengthen patrols and inspections and strictly manage passenger transport and sightseeing and tourism activities on the sea, rivers and lakes. Vessels, ports and landing facilities, organizations and individuals that fail to meet safety requirements or violate regulations will face strict action.
Commune- and ward-level People's Committees, as well as special-zone authorities, must strictly manage passenger transport and tourism activities and prevent unauthorized piers, unsafe vessels and passengers traveling without life jackets.
Local authorities must also coordinate search-and-rescue and emergency response efforts when accidents or incidents occur, while identifying and handling the responsibility of organizations and individuals involved in violations or safety failures.
The Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has instructed agencies and localities to closely monitor weather, meteorological and hydrological conditions at sea and prohibit inland waterway vessels from transporting passengers from the shore to islands, anchorage areas in lagoons and bays, and coastal areas when safety conditions are not guaranteed.
Vessel owners and operators must strictly comply with regulations on passenger capacity, life jackets, life buoys and other safety equipment.
With visitor numbers expected to rise during the holiday, strict control of vessels, operators, passenger numbers and weather conditions is considered essential to preventing risks. Proactive safety measures—from departure and the journey itself to arrival at tourist destinations—will help ensure visitors enjoy safe and convenient sea and island experiences during the National Day holiday.