The northern province of Quang Ninh has long been known as one of the top tourism centres in Vietnam with numerous attractive destinations and diverse tourism products thanks to the province’s efforts to boost tourism’ growth.

In the first 10 months of 2016, the province saw a five percent rise in the number of visitors with 7.3 million of both domestic and foreign arrivals. The number of foreign tourists reached 2.81 million foreign tourist, up 30 percent.

Ha Long Bay. Photo: hanoitourist.com.vn

Quang Ninh has four major tourist hubs. The Uong Bi-Dong Trieu-Quang Yen area is home to many spiritual and cultural sites, while Ha Long Bay along with the adjacent area is famous as a centre for sight-seeing, culture, shopping and entertainment.

The Van Don-Co To area offers spiritual, sea and island and entertainment tourism, and the Mong Cai area is strong for sea tourism and shopping.

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, Quang Ninh currently has 157 accommodation establishments from one- to five-star ratings, along with 47 travel firms and nine beaches for tourists.

Recently, the provincial Department of Tourism has teamed up with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to organise a famtrip for travel firms and media agencies across the country to a number of potential destinations around the Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage site.

In order to fully tap tourism potential and increase the stay duration of tourist, the province is advised to apply comprehensive measures, including reviewing the planning and management of tourism, expand market and diversify tourism products.

At the same time, Quang Ninh should invest more in other types of tourism instead of focusing on only the Ha Long Bay, as well as in human resources for the sector, experts said. They also suggested encouraging the involvement of the community in boosting tourism development and improving the quality of tourism services and products.

Recently, the Prime Minister has approved a project worth 80 billion VND (3.57 million USD) on preserving the historical relic site in Uong Bi where the famous Bach Dang victory took place in 1288.

The province has also announced a plan to develop tourism in its Cai Chien island commune, which has beautiful beaches and primeval forests.

Source: VNA