Nearly 12,000 passengers on islands in Kien Giang are gradually freed from being stranded as all train and ferry routes resume operations.
On the afternoon of September 4, the Phu Quoc - Ha Tien ferry route was allowed to resume operation when the weather improved. However, most of the passengers stuck on Phu Quoc Island boarded boats to return to the mainland this morning, according to the Maritime Port Authority of Kien Giang Province.
The Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense of Kien Giang said that the suspension of ferry and boat operations due to the impact of Storm Sao La has left nearly 12,000 tourists stranded on the islands. Of these, about 10,000 tourists had to stay on Phu Quoc Island due to the lack of boats.
The head of the Port Authority of Phu Quoc said that on September 5, ships and ferries transported about 8,000 passengers from Phu Quoc to the mainland. The majority of passengers were on the Phu Quoc - Rach Gia route. During peak periods before the pandemic, ports on the "pearl island" could transport more than 10,000 passengers a day.
Passengers at the high-speed ferry terminal in Phu Quoc, morning of September 5. Photo: Rooty Trip Phu Quoc
Truong An, a tour guide on Nam Du Island, said that it was still raining heavily on the morning of September 5, but boats and ships were operating again. This morning and afternoon, passengers stuck on the island returned to the mainland. The shipping companies had provided support in advance, so passengers had no difficulty buying tickets.
During the September 2nd holiday, Truong An received nearly 200 guests booking tours. The guests were expected to stay on the island for 3 days and 2 nights, but due to the weather, the trip was extended.
Tourists move to the pier on Nam Du island to return to the mainland, morning of September 5. Source: Truong An
"When we received the news that the ship was temporarily suspended and there was heavy rain, many tourists were worried that they would not be able to return to the mainland as planned. With the help of the islanders, everyone felt more secure. On the second day that the guests were stuck on the island, my family gave out free meals and supported accommodation," An informed.
Khanh Chi, 26 years old, from Ho Chi Minh City, said that she and her group of friends were stuck for 3 days in Ba Hon Dam (Ba Lua archipelago, Kien Luong district). Today the group will return to the mainland.
Ms. Nguyen Thien Lan, manager of a hotel in Duong To commune, Phu Quoc, said that this morning, there were still two guest rooms stuck and not checked out. Some groups of guests moved to Thach Thoi and Bai Vong ports since yesterday afternoon as soon as news of the Phu Quoc - Ha Tien route resuming operations. Tourists who stayed longer due to the ship jam were partially supported by the hotel for the room rate.
Ms. Lan said that the storms and the suspension of ferries and ships have caused many disruptions to her business. Her hotel has lost a large number of guests from Rach Gia, Ha Tien, and Can Tho. Revenue during the recent holidays mainly came from foreign guests, with room occupancy on September 2 reaching only 40%.
"It is normal for boats and ferries to stop running in Phu Quoc during the storm season. However, this is the longest suspension since the beginning of the year. In July, there was also a suspension of boats, lasting only 2 days. Bad weather and disrupted waterway traffic not only affect business, but also cause prices to increase," said Ms. Lan.
According to a report from the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, from September 1 to September 4, there were 126,690 visitors to the province, down 32.9% over the same period. The average room occupancy rate was only about 27%, down 43.2% compared to September 2 last year.
On this occasion, Phu Quoc City welcomed 62,544 visitors. Overnight visitors reached 19,209, down 38.6% compared to 2022.
Bich Phuong - Van Khanh - Ngoc Tai
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