Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA)
Currently, the province has been speeding up the implementation of important projects such as Ha Long - Hai Phong expressway, Bac Luan II bridge, Van Don international airport, Van Don economic zone, Ha Long - Van Don and Van Don - Mong Cai highways, FLC Ha Long golf course and resort, Quang Hanh mineral hot spring resort, among others. Some projects will be put into operation at the end of this year or in early 2018.
Apart from strong investment in transport and tourism infrastructure, the province has raised a large amount of external capital.
The overall plan on developing Quang Ninh tourism by 2020 and with a vision toward 2030 has made positive impacts on local tourism activities via attracting a series of new investment projects from strategic partners such as BIM Group, Vingroup, Sun Group, My Way, Tuan Chau and FLC. The active investment in tourism products from such businesses has brought facelift to the local tourism industry.
With strong determination to develop tourism, the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee has promulgated an action plan implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No 08-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2017, on developing tourism into a spearhead economy by 2030.
Being favoured by nature with a range of stunning landscapes, clear turquoise sea and spectacular limestone pillars together with numerous tourism investment projects, Quang Ninh boasts huge potential to develop sustainable green tourism.
Quang Ninh has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and over 2,000 islets which account for two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam. The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city of Hai Phong.
Ha Long bay, Cat Ba island and Do Son beach (Hai Phong city) are prioritised to develop into national tourism sites.
Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Dai beaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among domestic and international tourists thanks to their breathtaking sea and coral reef.
By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16 million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in VND30-40 trillion (USD1.3-1.7 billion) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 14-15 percent to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP).
In 2016, Quang Ninh greeted 8.3 million tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 7 percent, and earned over VND13 trillion (USD571 million) in revenue, up 23 percent, according to the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism.
Particularly, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay welcomed 6.3 million tourists and grossed VND7.7 trillion (over USD338 million) in revenue, representing respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent from the previous year. About 2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners, a year-on-year growth of 16 percent./.