Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province (Source: VNA)

 

Quang Ninh (VNA) – The People’s Committee of the northeastern province of Quang
Ninh has established the organising board for the National Tourism Year 2018.



Accordingly, the
organising board will be headed by Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s
Committee Vu Thi Thu Thuy.



The board has been tasked with organising activities within the framework of
the National Tourism Year – Ha Long – Quang Ninh, in line with the approved
plan and ensuring safety and efficiency, helping promote tourism of Quang Ninh
in particular and Vietnam in general.



During the National Tourism Year 2018, a number of major activities will be held in Quang Ninh,
including the opening and closing ceremonies of the National Year, a cuisine
festival, a paragliding competition, a photo contest, and a ceremony to
announce and present a certificate recognising Cua Ong temple as a special
national relic site, among others.



Besides Quang Ninh, 14 other provinces and
cities, namely Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Can Tho, Thua Thien-Hue, Lang Son, Nghe An,
Ha Giang, Hai Phong, Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Lao Cai, Kien Giang and
Ninh Binh, will join hands to organise cultural, sports and tourism events in
response to the National Tourism Year 2018.



The National Tourism Year 2018 is expected to
draw more foreign tourists to Vietnam and bolster growth of domestic tourism,
fulfilling the target of Vietnam’s tourism sector in 2018 and upcoming
years. 



The event is also hoped to raise public
awareness about tourism development in association with protection of marine
resources and promote cultural values and tourism products of Quang Ninh
province.



Under the Overall Plan for Tourism Development
in Quang Ninh to 2020 and Vision to 2030, Quang Ninh strives to become an
international tourism centre and a leading tourism destination in Vietnam with
modern infrastructure and diverse, high quality and competitive tourism
products. 



By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16 million
tourists, including 7 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 welcomes 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. Of the visitors, about 2.7 million were
foreigners, a year-on-year growth of 16 percent. 



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.-VNA