A corner of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province (Source: VNA)
To that end, the locality is stepping up administrative reform and other measures to improve the business and investment environment, thus maintaining its rankings in the national Provincial Competitiveness Index and Public Administrative Reform Index.
At the same time, Quang Ninh is actively implementing the smart city project to meet the demand of visitors and investors.
Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Doc stressed that Quang Ninh will carefully select investment projects, with priority given to those using less land area and fewer labourers, but creating high value products and contributing much to the budget. The province is firm in withdrawing licences of projects with slow progress and law violations.
The province is synchronously implementing measures and projects to boost tourism development till 2020 with a vision to 2030, in which it strives to continuously create high-quality tourism products and services meeting international standards, diversify markets, and improve the capacity of human resources working in this field.
Quang Ninh has tightened management over tourism activities on Ha Long Bay, and at Cua Ong temple and Yen Tu relic site.
Last year, the province welcomed over 12 million tourist arrivals, of whom more than 40 percent are foreigners. Total revenue from tourism rose by 28.1 percent year-on-year, and the proportion of the sector’s contribution to the local budget increased to 9 percent, 1.4 percent higher than that of 2017.
The locality served 200,000 tourists during the four-day New Year holiday of 2019, including 135,000 foreigners, up 30 percent and 25 percent year-on-year, respectively.
Quang Ninh is also preparing to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 (ATF 2019 from January 14-18. The event’s main activities include the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meetings, ASEAN Tourism Conference, Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) and tours discovering UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage Ha Long Bay and neighbouring destinations. Around 1,900 international delegates are expected to attend the event.
Quang Ninh is home to more than 2,000 islands along its 250km-long coast. Notably, its Ha Long Bay features 1,969 islands and islets covering 1,553 sq.km. The bay was recognised as World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and 2000. It was also selected one of the new seven wonders of nature in 2011.
Along with Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh is home many impressive landscapes such as Bai Tu Long Bay, Tuan Chau peninsula, Quan Lan, Co To islands, Yen Tu mountain and Tra Co beach.
Located in Tonkin Gulf in the northeast of Vietnam, Bai Tu Long Bay covers the waters of Ha Long and Cam Pha cities, and the island district of Van Don in Quang Ninh province. It includes hundreds of islets of all sizes, many big enough for habitation.
Bai Tu Long Bay is home to many traces of Ha Long Culture that dates back thousands of years.
It features limestone and schist islets – a result of geological formations lasting over 300 million years. Famous islets include Bai Tho, Con Coc, Tien Ong, Con Rua, Dam Oan, Mat Quy, and Con Co. Some outstanding caverns there are Thien Canh Son Carven, Tam Cung Cavern and Me Cung Cavern.
The bay also harbors beautiful beaches such as Con Co, Van Don, Quan Lan, Minh Chau and Co To.
Quan Lan Island is a must-visit destination for tourists to Bai Tu Long. It is suitable for adventurers as well as those who love simple and romantic experiences thanks to the harmony of sea, forest, culture and architecture.
Visitors can also tour the fishing village on Minh Chau Island or Cai Lang – the oldest village there.
Thong Thien Cave, Phat Co Island, and Ban Sen Island are among other destinations tourists should have a look at. Sailing to explore submerged forests or swimming in the clear water off Uyen Uong beach are recommended experiences.
Additionally, vacationers can visit Cua Ong Temple and Van Hoa port or walk through forests to experience the hospitality of ethnic Tay, Red Dao and San Diu people in their villages across Bai Tu Long Bay./.