Quang Ninh enhances the appeal of island and marine tourism

With its outstanding strengths in marine and island resources, Quang Ninh promises a vibrant and bustling summer tourism season this year, welcoming millions of visitors for sightseeing, recreation, and relaxation.

Local authorities and tourism service providers have proactively prepared all necessary conditions, from improving infrastructure and introducing new tourism products to ensuring high-quality services, to meet every need of travelers.

Opening new cruise routes

Quang Ninh officially launched a series of new sightseeing tours to Bai Tu Long Bay in March. Each itinerary offers a unique experience, from admiring the majestic natural landscapes to exploring the cultural life of local fishermen. Visitors can not only relax at famous destinations such as Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands but also discover newly promoted attractions like Phat Co Island, home to one of the largest caves in Bai Tu Long Bay. Here, tourists can enjoy kayaking, visit floating seaweed farms, or unwind on pristine, picturesque beaches.

Right after the launch event, tourist boats at Ao Tien International Passenger Port began operating daily trips to Bai Tu Long Bay. Notably, Quang Ninh province currently does not charge entrance fees for visiting attractions in Bai Tu Long Bay; tourists only need to pay for boat tickets and port service fees. During the upcoming April 30 - May 1 holiday, additional tourist boats will be deployed to meet the high demand for sightseeing and relaxation.

Alongside the development of Bai Tu Long Bay tours, the province also plans to revamp the routes in Ha Long Bay. At a meeting in early April, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh concluded that Quang Ninh would open a new tourism route connecting Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay via Routes 3 and 4 in 2025. These routes cover many beautiful, pristine landscapes, sandy beaches, and potential areas for developing premium tourism products. This initiative aims to maximize the interprovincial heritage site, the first of its kind in Vietnam, and attract approximately 500,000 more tourists to Ha Long Bay, thereby increasing local budget revenue.

In addition, the province plans to soon launch restaurant cruise tours from Ha Long International Passenger Port and Tuan Chau International Passenger Port to the area near Column 8, and to develop more coastal tourism routes around Ha Long Bay. Efforts are also underway to upgrade coastal and marine landscapes along these routes, with a strong focus on applying advanced technology and digital transformation to enhance tourist experiences.

Improving tourism services and infrastructure

According to Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Director of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the province will restructure service operations in the bay to improve quality and meet the increasing demand for cultural and historical experiences related to Ha Long Bay and Quang Ninh. At the same time, water sports activities such as kayaking will be developed in compliance with current regulations. Tourist boat operators are encouraged to replace aging vessels with newer, more luxurious, and larger-capacity boats to elevate service standards.

As new tours in both Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are launched, localities across the province are also working to build and improve island tourism routes to better serve tourists. In Co To district, authorities are accelerating the development of a master plan for island tour routes. The proposed routes include: Route 1 (Co To Port - Hon Ca Chep - Hon Su Tu - Co To Con), Route 2 (Co To Port - Hon Ca Chep - Hon Su Tu - Co To Con - Thanh Lan); Route 3 (Port Area 1 - Hon Ca Chep - Hon Su Tu - Co To Con); Route 4 (Port Area 1 - Dong Nam Island - Hon Ca Chep - Hon Su Tu); Route 5 (Thanh Lan Port - Hon Ca Chep - Hon Su Tu - Co To Con); Route 6 (Co To Port - Hon Ca Chep - Co To Con - Tran Island).

The local government has selected eligible ports for operation and establishing self-management groups to ensure orderly, efficient tour operations. Great emphasis is placed on environmental hygiene, waste collection and treatment, public safety and order, and strict management of vehicles. Businesses and service providers are required to comply fully with all legal regulations.

This comprehensive approach is intended to provide a legal framework for sustainable, safe, and well-regulated island tour development. It ensures service quality and safety while enhancing the tourism brand of Co To. At the same time, it aims to attract investment in tourism infrastructure, improve service standards, diversify visitor experiences, and support local residents in tourism-related business development.