Vietnam's oldest tourist spot 'kissing rocks' are in jeopardy. Will they disappear soon?

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is home to scenic views, lush greenery, and crystal-blue waters. It is also home to "Kissing Rocks," a popular duo of rocks that attract scores of tourists. However, experts have w warned that a great threat faces old tourist spot. 

"Kissing Rocks" are a set of rocks that appear to be giving each or a peck due to ir formation and proximity. While Vietnamese called m Hon Trong Mai or “Rooster and Hen” and “Fighting Cocks”, Western tourists named m Kissing Rocks in 1990s after deciding that stones displayed a pash.

What led to erosion of rocks?

w geologists fear that at 14 metres above water, rocks are experiencing erosion from core. A recent study has found that structures contain several cracks and fractures, New Zealand Herald reported. Vietnam’s Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources says that rocks are also more prone to experiencing dam due rising sea levels and seismic events.

Tour boats can also aggravate existing issue, according to institute's he Ho Tien Chung. “Tourists can see rocks that are precarious at low tide. water level n is low, exposing supporting foot of rocks which are grually being eroded, causing a risk of collapse if measures are taken to protect and reinforce m soon,” he told Asia News Network in Vietnam.

erosion of rocks has also been caused by a surge in tourism and illegal fishing. Experts have urged local authorities to take actionable steps to strengn stones that took 20 million years to form. Kissing Rocks are one of 2000 rock islands that belong to Vietnam. 

country's Quang Ninh province draws up to 4 million tourists a year who come to watch sea rocks in all ir glory. However, unique structures have gone through wear and tear in recent years. In 2016, he of  Thien Nga “Swan Neck” fell apart and dipped into sea. Amid erosion, tourists have been urged to t climb or be close to rocks.