On 19/7, the QN-7105 boat capsized during a storm while touring route two on Ha Long Bay. There were 48 tourists and five crew members on board. 38 fatalities have been recovered, 10 people were rescued, and five remain missing.
Dang Van Toan, co-founder of T&Y Group, said he planned to arrange accommodation and meals for the victims' families immediately after the incident. He posted the offer of support on his personal Facebook page, and subsequently, many other accommodation providers in Ha Long contacted him to join the effort.
Passion Hotel in Ha Long also announced free accommodation for the victims' families during the search for the missing, starting on the evening of 19/7. They also provided free transportation from Hanoi to Ha Long for families in need.
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A room at Green Suites Hotel, Bai Chay. Photo: Green Suites Hotel |
A room at Green Suites Hotel, Bai Chay. Photo: Green Suites Hotel
According to the Quang Ninh Province Tourism Promotion Center, by the evening of 19/7, 22 hotels in the area had registered to provide free accommodation for the families. The hotels, members of the Hotel Association under the Provincial Tourism Association, have made all available rooms accessible and mobilized staff and volunteers for round-the-clock support. In addition to accommodation, many businesses are providing free meals, while charitable organizations and groups are distributing porridge, snacks, drinks, and essential supplies to the families.
"Last night, my family's hotel managed to arrange three rooms because we still had guests. Today, as guests checked out, we now have 40-50 rooms available to accommodate the victims' families," Toan said, adding that some guests with prior bookings were contacted by the hotels and offered refunds to make room for the families.
The hotels and restaurants managed by Toan, including The One Palace, Green Suites Hotel, and Green Restaurant, are located in the Bai Chay tourist area, about two km from Bai Chay Hospital and more than 1.5 km from the port where the accident occurred, making them easily accessible.
"Last night, relatives from Lao Cai, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Bac Giang, and Bac Ninh provinces contacted us. One group arrived at 3 a.m. Most were close relatives like aunts, uncles, and grandchildren of the victims," Toan said.
From noon on 20/7, Toan's hotels began preparing rooms as guests checked out, and free meals have been provided since the evening of 19/7. The restaurant is preparing meals for both the families and injured tourists being treated at Bai Chay Hospital. They plan to provide 240 meals daily, divided into breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
"I was truly shocked when I heard the news. My family runs a chain of hotels and restaurants, so I wanted to contribute and support the victims and their families, to ease their burden during this difficult time," Toan said.
Bich Phuong
