Vietnam has ordered a nationwide review of waterway safety after a canoe capsized in the southern province of An Giang, killing 15 foreign nationals, all of whom were Indian nationals.
The Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration issued a formal directive, instructing port authorities and waterway sub-departments across the country to immediately tighten safety checks on all passenger vessels and tourist boats.
A canoe carrying tourists capsized in the southwestern waters of An Giang Province on July 11. All 15 people were Indian tourists.
The incident has shocked Vietnam’s tourism industry and prompted the government to act quickly. The remains of the victims have been repatriated to India. The directive issued by the administration’s director, Le Do Muol, covers several urgent actions.
All tourist vessels are being reviewed for their registration, technical safety standards, owner insurance, and passenger insurance. Any vehicle that does not meet safety requirements must be suspended immediately.
Port authorities have been specifically asked to prioritize inspections on key islands and coastal passenger routes, including routes from Khanh Hoa Province to Ly Son Island, Con Dao, Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong, Ha Long Bay, and Phu Quoc.
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Safety inspections will also focus on how operators handle extreme weather conditions, checking the technical conditions of vessels, life-saving equipment, communication systems, and the professional qualifications of crew members.
Passenger control procedures at ports and wharves are also under review. The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center has been put on 24/7 duty, with forces and equipment ready to respond at any time.
It has also been asked to review rescue capabilities on all major passenger routes and propose improvements where gaps exist.
Local authorities, border guards, coast guards, and police have all been called on to coordinate closely to identify the exact cause of the accident and address any weaknesses in how tourist vessels are managed.
Vietnam is one of the best tourist destinations in the Southeast Asian region, attracting millions of visitors every year. Boat and water transport play a significant role in getting tourists to the country’s famous coastal and island destinations, including Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao.
Accidents involving tourist vessels are not new to Vietnam, and each one raises the same questions about whether safety standards are being properly enforced.
The death of 15 Indian tourists in a single incident has made those questions impossible to ignore. For now, Vietnam’s government is moving quickly, but the real test will be whether these inspections and reviews lead to lasting changes or fade once the immediate pressure is off.
