All Halong Bay boats must be painted white. Why?

Renovating the image of Halong Bay

In 2012, the Quang Ninh provincial authorities decided that all Halong Bay junks must be painted white. This move would give Halong Bay quite a different atmosphere and complaints were voiced from Halong Bay cruise operators, travel agents, tourists and locals. Best Cruises Halong can see the benefits but also understands why people are (still) complaining… but we are not here to debate whether this was a good move or not.

Bygone Brown Boats. More charming than whitewash?

Since the decision was made, people taking Halong Bay tours have been asking the difficult-to-answer-question: what motivated this decision? A range of answers have been given over the past two and half years, usually in jest and rarely adequately informed…

 

More jobs for more people

Some argue this move was to generate more jobs for local unskilled laborers. This may have been a secondary reason for the decision but it is unlikely that it was the most important motivation. Nonetheless, the decision has provided quite a few jobs as cruise companies need to hire more workers to paint the boats and touch things up. In an area with quite a high level of unemployment, this is something to be happy about.

 

Replicating other cruise destinations

A popular rumor is that some senior officials toured some cruise destinations in Southern Europe and Northern Africa, where cruise ships tend to be painted white. The officials were apparently so taken with the effect that they wanted to bring the concept back to Halong Bay. This information has never been stated formally but officials must have got the idea from somewhere… could there be some truth in this?

Cruise Ships found elsewhere are usually white but should Halong Bay conform?

 

To sell white paint

A more daring rumor is that an important official also owns a paint factory in the area and his business would benefit hugely from the decision. There seems to be no concrete evidence to support this and it seems unlikely.

Too much white paint? 

So the truth? The official reasons given in the local press for this decision are that it makes it easier for the authorities to spot unregistered Halong Bay cruise ships as well as to renovate the image of the area. A lot of complaints were made about the price that would have to be passed down to visitors and therefor decrease numbers. So far, though, that is yet to happen. What information have you heard? Comment below!