Halong Bay cruise operator Paradise Cruises is doing its bit to keep the UNESCO World Heritage site plastic-free.
It removed plastic straws from all seven of its luxury cruise ships earlier this month, which is the first step in eliminating all disposable plastics on Paradise’s cruises by the year-end.
"Plastic pollution only seems to be getting worse, both globally and right here in Halong Bay. Without action, nothing changes and things have absolutely got to change," said Edgar Cayanan, Paradise Cruises’ general manager.
Plastic waste is a major problem in Vietnam, and produced about 1.8 million tons last year, according to Earth Day Network.
"A whopping amount is thrown into the water every single day. Not only does it make for an eyesore, it destroys marine life," Cayanan says.
"As plastic takes about 200 years to decompose, it poses a great threat to our oceans."
The company says it will save up to 36,000 straws per year.
The cruise line is part of Hanoi-based Paradise Vietnam, a travel company that also operates seven restaurants across Vietnam.
It also operates two hotels in Halong Bay.
