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After the Vinh Xanh 58 tourist boat capsized in Ha Long Bay on Saturday, killing 35 and leaving four missing, local hotels and restaurants rushed to aid victims' families. The boat, carrying 49 passengers, overturned during a sudden thunderstorm.

T&Y Group co‑founder Dang Van Toan immediately arranged lodging and meals for grieving families and posted a call for support on Facebook, prompting widespread help. Passion Hotel offered free stays and shuttle buses from Hanoi, while the Quang Ninh Tourism Promotion Center reported 22 hotels volunteering free rooms. Many cleared their bookings, mobilized staff, and provided round‑the‑clock service with free meals.

Toan's properties, including The One Palace, Green Suites Hotel, and Green Restaurant, are near Bai Chay Hospital and the port, giving families easy access. He recalled receiving relatives arriving from provinces like Lao Cai and Ha Tinh, even at 3 a.m. His restaurant has been serving about 240 free meals daily to families and injured survivors.

“To stand with the victims and their families during this heartbreaking time is the least we can do,” Toan said, as the community unites to ease their burden while search and rescue efforts continue.

Bali, recently named Asia's most beautiful island, is facing growing concerns that mass tourism and weak enforcement are enabling transnational crime networks. Police data show crimes involving foreigners rose from 194 cases in 2023 to 226 in 2024. Local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih linked this partly to an influx of long-term, low-budget travelers staying in illegal homestays, which he says lowers overall tourist quality.

With over 60,000 daily visitors and 6.3 million foreign arrivals last year (targeting 6.5 million in 2024), locals fear the island's infrastructure and law enforcement are overwhelmed. Analysts warn that without stronger controls, Bali could become a hub for organized crime.

The danger became evident on June 14 when two Australians were shot in Munggu village, Badung District, killing one and injuring another. Authorities swiftly arrested three Australians suspected in the case and have since tightened security. Yet residents and experts emphasize that systemic action is needed to curb illegal accommodations, manage tourism responsibly, and prevent criminal networks from taking deeper root.

Japan has created a new cross‑agency administrative body to address rising public concerns over the growing number of foreign residents, an issue central to the upcoming July 20 national election. The body will act as a “control tower,” coordinating responses to problems such as crime and over‑tourism linked to foreigners.

Japan's foreign population reached a record 3.8 million in 2024—around 3% of its population—as immigration rules eased to counter labor shortages. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said some crimes and misuse of administrative systems by foreigners have left the public feeling “uneasy and cheated.”

His LDP recently proposed stricter rules on foreign driving‑license conversions and property purchases. Anti‑immigration sentiment has fueled support for the populist Sanseito party, while polls show the LDP and Komeito risk losing their Upper House majority. Despite tensions, Japan remains a top tourist draw, with over 36.8 million arrivals last year.