Ha Long Bay (Photo VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector in
the north-eastern border province of Quang Ninh has been growing rapidly,
gradually affirming its brand and position in an effort to turn the locality
into one of the biggest tourism centers nationwide.
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 30-40
trillion VND (1.3-1.7 billion USD) 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 13 trillion VND
(571 million USD) 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 7.7 trillion VND (over
338 million USD) 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. -VNA