Tourists are discouraged from bringing bottles, plastic bags, or things related to pollution to Co To Island, from September 1.

Visitors join hands to collect trash on the beach. Photos: quangninh.gov.vn

This is the pilot plan conducted by the People’s Committee of Co To Island District in the northern province of Quang Ninh, under a scheme to turn the locality into a high-quality tourism center of Vietnam as well as part of the sustainable development strategy of the locality.

According to the district, the fast-growing tourism industry has affected natural resources in the island district, with risks of plastic pollution. The authorities require the cooperation of travel companies and transport companies to guide visitors on environmental practices when they arrive at the destination.

"It's not a ban," a district representative told local media. "For the foreseeable future, we urge visitors and locals alike to reduce their use of plastic products and begin the transition to sustainable alternatives."

The regulation will be officially applied in Van Don, Ha Long and Cam Pha wharves after several months of piloting.

In the first seven months, the district welcomed 162,000 visitors and pocketed VND405 billion (US$17.6 million) from tourism.

Before Co To Island, Cu Lao Cham, or Cham Islands, off the coast of Hoi An Ancient Town in the central province of Quang Nam, was the first locality in Vietnam to successfully promote waste sorting out. It has banned plastic bags since 2009.

Visitors collect waste on Co To Island.