20/07/2025
Very sad for the victims -For those concerned about their upcoming travel to Vietnam..here are the facts from my long trusted colleague
💥💥Update Regarding Halong Bay Boat Incident yesterday💥💥
In relation to the incident with a tourist boat sank in Halong Bay yesterday afternoon (July 19), resulting in the tragic loss of dozens of lives — including children and multiple family groups — I would first like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. This loss is immeasurable and heartbreaking, especially during a joyful summer school holiday for the children 🙏😥
This morning, the story was featured on the front pages of major Australian news and media. To help our agents provide accurate responses to clients and ease any concerns, we would like to share the following official information:
✅ All passengers on the boat were Vietnamese, from Hanoi 😥 taking their children on a summer sightseeing trip. There were no foreign tourists on board.
✅ The boat that sank was a small day sightseeing vessel in Halong Bay. It was not an overnight cruise boat with cabins.
✅ All passengers were wearing life jackets, and the boat was operating within the allowed capacity. There was no overloading.
✅ The cause of the sinking was a sudden thunderstorm accompanied by a whirlwind, not related to Typhoon Wipha, which is currently approaching Vietnam. Therefore, the accident was not due to a lack of weather updates or storm preparedness.
❗️All VTC clients currently traveling in areas potentially affected by the typhoon were contacted as of yesterday, and safety-first measures have been implemented, including adjustments to itineraries and relocation, to ensure their wellbeing without disrupting their vacation plans.
The VTC team will continue to provide updates to all relevant agents and clients.
We sincerely thank our valued partners for your continued trust and support.
Best regards,
Huyen Thanh & VTC Travel Team
