If you need a break from your busy life to enjoy some tranquil moments watching the sun slowly set on the sea, Hạ Long is the perfect getaway.
Over the past two decades, Hạ Long Bay (literally means Bay of Descending Dragon) has become a popular tourist destination in the northern region of Việt Nam to explore wonderful limestone caves and take part in adventure activities.
The recent breakthroughs in infrastructure development, the influx of investment and the efforts of the local authorities have led to an increase in the number of tourists to the area.
Travel from the neighbouring provinces and the cities to Hạ Long in northern Quảng Ninh Province will become even easier and more convenient with a number of infrastructure projects nearing completion, including the Hạ Long-Hải Phòng Expressway, the upgraded highways to Vân Đồn and the VNĐ6.7 trillion airport in Vân Đồn.
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| Vung Vieng fishing village in Ha Long Bay. |
In addition, many giant property developers, such as Vingroup, FLC, Sun Group and Bim Group, have poured billions of dollars into tourism and resort projects in Hạ Long, which are expected to attract even more tourists to the city.
Recognised as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO, Halong Bay offers unforgettable experiences for tourists who can admire the spectacular seascape of some 1969 limestone karsts and isles and understand the basics of geology and geomorphology.
“It is even more marvelous than what I have seen in pictures and videos,” Nguyễn Như, a tourist from Hà Nội who recently enjoyed a two-day cruise on Hạ Long Bay, said. “What I’ll remember the most is the moment when I went kayaking on the tranquil sea and saw the yellow hues at sunset. It was unforgettable, romantic and peaceful.”
According to the Indochina Legend Travel, a tour and travel agency with operations mainly in Southeast Asia, there are a lot of interesting things to do in Hạ Long Bay, which is an ideal destination for family vacations, holiday trips, honeymoons and kayaking due to the pleasant weather.
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| Sung Sot Cave in Ha Long Bay. |
Visitors can also explore the “magnificent masterpieces of the Creator” – the dazzling stalagmites in Trinh Nữ Cave, Sửng Sốt Cave, Thiên Cung Cave and Đầu Gỗ Cave.
A cruise trip will take you to the wonderful limestone isles, caves and floating villages where you can learn about local daily life and buy fresh seafood.
Diving, kayaking and other adventure activities also promise unique, wonderful and exotic experiences.
“My husband and children went squid fishing with the cruise crew members at night and they were so excited,” Như said.
Halong Cruises is one of the major tours that the Indochina Legend Travel operates. The group recently launched a website www.legendtravelgroup.com with faster, easier navigation and a user-friendly design and is offering a promotional 10 per cent discount for all tours till the end of July.
Green tourism
Tourists in Hạ Long will enjoy unique experiences each time they visit, with the local authorities gearing to promote tourism as a green industry.
Early this month, Quảng Ninh Province officials split the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to set up a separate Department of Tourism.
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| Halong Bay. |
The aim is to turn the northern province into an international travel destination and the country’s leading tourism hub with developed infrastructure and diverse tourism products deeply imbued with the national identity and the traditions to be able to compete regionally and globally, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Long said.
The province is expected to develop tourism into a leading economic sector and a driver for sustainable socio-economic growth.
The newly-established tourism department will focus on developing human resources and create a favourable environment for property developers to hasten their projects and for tour and travel companies to provide the best services.
Besides Hạ Long Bay, Quảng Ninh also has over 500 relic and tourism sites, such as Vân Đồn and Móng Cai.
The number of tourist arrivals to Quảng Ninh jumped from 3.1 million in 2006 to roughly 8 million in 2015. The province is expected to welcome 10.5 million visitors this year.
Last year, tourism contributed VNĐ1.2 trillion (US$53.6 million) to the local budget, or six per cent of the total domestic collection in the province.
In the first quarter of this year, Quảng Ninh welcomed nearly three million tourists, increasing by 2 per cent over the same period last year.