Move over, boat tours: lavish parties are the new “it” travel experience in Ha Long Bay’s secluded caves, despite opposition from locals and conservationists.

The most popular locations for these soirees are Trong Cave and Ho Dong Tien Cave, reports VnExpress. The parties usually start at 7:30pm and end at 11pm, drawing several hundred participants, who spend the night on a ship after the shindigs, according to the news source.

Some Quang Ninh Province residents are unhappy over the advent of these parties. Vu Van Hung, the director of a fishing village on Ha Long Bay, voiced his disapproval of the nocturnal activities:

"Ha Long is a heritage site so we must preserve it. We can't ignore the risks just for profits,” he told Dan Tri. “I’ve lived here for 50 years and I really don't approve of this cave partying. There are many ways to develop sustainable tourism, why do they choose this?"

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Halong City Ho Quang Huy told the news source that he has requested that the Ha Long Bay management board review the situation in order to come up with necessary solutions to minimize the noise and environmental impact of the parties.

It is odd that these lavish events are taking place, as according to Decision 1139 of the Quang Ninh People's Committee last year detailing plans from now to 2020 to preserve the historic bay, catering services, events and celebrationss are prohibited in the bay’s caverns, especially Trong and Dong Tien caves, reports Dan Tri.

According to the bay's management board, the first parties were held in 2005, when the provincial People’s Committee gave a local tourism company permission to conduct tourist activities in Trong Cave, Tuoi Tre reports.

At the time, in order to obtain a license, the company had to come up with a clear-cut plan to ensure safety and security for tourists while maintaining hygiene and minimizing the environmental impact.

[Photo via Team Yellow]