In the early hours of July 20, the Vinh Xanh 58 cruise ship, which capsized on Ha Long Bay a day earlier, was successfully salvaged and towed ashore by local authorities. The ship now lies docked, awaiting further inspection and handling.

The vessel, which suffered extensive damage during the incident, appears motionless near the shoreline. Many of its structural components were visibly broken or deformed. The railing on the upper deck was bent and snapped, while several windows were shattered.

Due to the capsizing, large volumes of seawater flooded the interior, increasing the vessel's weight and complicating recovery efforts. At approximately 1:30 AM on July 20, a team of rescuers employed four crane barges to right the overturned ship.

The incident occurred at around 12:55 PM on July 19, when the Vinh Xanh 58 was carrying 49 individuals, including 46 tourists and three crew members, on a scheduled tour of Ha Long Bay’s popular Route 2, which includes stops at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island. By 1:30 PM, the vessel was caught in a sudden squall with strong winds and capsized. GPS signals were lost at 2:05 PM.

The ship is currently moored near the Ha Long Shipbuilding Factory on the Cua Luc River. According to a representative of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, water inside the ship has been pumped out, and the vessel was then towed to the shipyard for further assessment and repair.

This facility, which specializes in repairing damaged ships, also serves as a shelter for vessels during storms and rough seas.

Thach Thao - Pham Cong