This time, cruise tourism season started with some luxury large cruise ships bringing tourists to Quang Ninh, promising to be provided with impressive experiences in the coastal city, home to Ha Long Bay – the World Natural Heritage.
The cruise tourism was operated in Quang Ninh since 1996 and have been strongly developed in recent 10 years. According to statistics, from 2013 until the first 6 months of 2019, Quang Ninh received 756 cruise ship arrivals carrying over 712,000 tourist arrivals to the province. The experts said that Quang Ninh have owned great potential for cruise tourism development, especially in geographical location as Quang Ninh lies on the imporant marine transport route in Asia which is consistent with the roadmap to connect cruise tourism tours in the region and the World. Furthermore, Quang Ninh is famous for Ha Long Bay – the World Natural Heritage and Wonder which is considered as a magnet for international cruise tourists.
Recently, Quang Ninh has attracted investment in developing synchronous transport infrastructure and seaport, creating favorable conditions for socio-economic development, including tourism, such as the completion of the Ha Long - Hai Phong - Ha Noi highway, the operation of Ha Long International Cruise Port – the first specialized cruise port in Vietnam, inland berths, the reception terminal covering an area of over 13,000 square meters with unique design, duty-free shops, restaurants, a chain of high-class recreation areas of Sun World Complex, Bai Chay Beach, Quang Ninh Museum - Library, Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center, Ha Long Market etc, forming a closed tourism value chain, thereby satisfying tourists’ demands.
According to information from Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, previously, tourism enterprises introduced interesting tours at localities around Ha Long City, such as Yen Tu Relic Site tour (Uong Bi City), traditional craft villages and relics in Quang Yen Town, Cai Bau Pagoda (Van Don District) which are highly appreciated by cruise tourists. For this cruise tourism season, the tourism enterprises will introduce new tourism products in Binh Lieu border district to visitors, such as the cultural house and rice paddy fields at Cao Thang Village (Luc Hon Commune), beautiful terraced fields, unique cuisine experience, traditional art performances etc in Song Mooc Village (Dong Van Commune).
With the great potential and strenghs for cruise tourism along with the modern transport infrastructure system, preferrential and incentive policies regarding visa, seaport fees etc are needed for Quang Ninh Province to attract more cruise tourists.
Translated by Thu Giang
