Kris and Kate was wondering when you would post this - I heard the news today via some of my vietnamese students and then the news - such a horrible accident.
Reply to this That is awful! Lets hope no TravelBlog members or their friends or family was affected.
Reply to this We were so shocked when we saw this on the news this morning... such a tragedy and it's hard to see how something like this can happen in this day & age.
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Such tragic news. I wonder how much information will be released about this after some research is done. Boats don't usually sink that quickly.
Reply to this Shocking news.....my wife and I were here the same day it happened, but decided at the last minute to only do a day tour and not stay overnight. Considering our budget, there would have been a good chance this would have been one of the boats in our price range.
Reply to this Tragic news, it's something that nearly everyone who travels Vietnam does, I've done myself and recommend that my friends do. I'm shocked by how fast the boat went down. Hopefully a thorough investigation will follow.
Reply to this Despite living here for more than 2 years, I still haven't managed to make my way up to Ha Long due to work commitments, however, despite this tragedy, I hope that this won't put people off seeing the wonders that Ha Long and the rest of this amazing country has to offer.
While Vietnam is still regarded as a developing country, accidents like this are still very rare and are a one in a million event.
I know this will be of no comfort to friends and family who have lost loved ones, but as one comment on a UK tabloid's message board that I read this morning said, "At least the people who died experienced many things that those who sit at home in armchairs, glued to their remote controls and their TVs never will".
If you have to depart this world, then isn't it better to go doing something you love doing than go slumped up on a sofa all alone or end up becoming just another tragic statistic of an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle?
I know what I would prefer!
Reply to this http://vnexpress.net/gl/phap-luat/2011/02/thuyen-truong-vu-chim-tau-o-ha-long-bi-bat/
(article in Vietnamese)
FYI - The first examination of the sunk boat shows that there's no hole in the shell of the boat.
The cause of sinking is that the crew forget to close a valve (which lets water come into the boat to cool off the engine) when the boat is anchored at night. So a large volume of bay water comes in and make the boat sink just in 15 minutes.
Both the captain Nguyen Van Minh (22 years old) and the engine man Do Van Thang (27 years old) are arrested. They will be prosecuted for irresponsibility which results in tragic!
I think the lesson is that you should choose the boat with experienced and reliable crew! (At least the captain must have many years of experience and proper boat riding certificate!)
Reply to this The boat was sank in Halong bay is old. It cruised for 3 years and the price is cheap. Almost of the guest are backpackers.
That's experience for all the travelers in Halong bay. Before they decide to book the boat in Halong bay, you have to learn about that cruise. Is it old or not, and your friend recommendations are very important.
Reply to this Very shocking to hear about this incidence. I really appreciate the advice given by 'tuongvns' for future travelers.
Reply to this we send our prayers to the families who have lost their loved ones
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