Balance in sustainable exploitation of Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a tourist destination in Quang Ninh all year round. However, the attraction of each tourist route on the bay is also different, depending on the flow of tourists, the investment of the exploiting enterprise or the attractiveness of the landscape... In particular, offshore tourist routes with great potential such as VHL3, VHL4 have not yet recovered in terms of tourist numbers compared to the period before the Covid-19 pandemic. To have a comprehensive view of this issue, especially on solutions to increase tourist attraction in the coming time, the reporter had an interview with Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Halong Bay Management Board.


- Sir, reports say that the number of tourists coming to sightseeing tours in the Bay recently has been uneven, how specifically?

+ The Halong Bay World Heritage Site currently has 8 tour routes. The number of visitors to these routes is uneven. Tourists mainly focus on tours VHL1 and VHL2, which are close to the mainland with traditional tourism products (cave tours, swimming, kayaking, etc.). During holidays and Tet, these 2 tours often experience local overload at some points, such as Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti-Top Beach, etc., affecting the experience of tourists.

In contrast, the number of visitors to the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries is relatively low, mainly visitors staying overnight in Halong Bay. For example, Hang Co is the spot with the highest number of visitors in both itineraries, welcoming nearly 55,000 visitors in 2023, and over 74,000 visitors in 2024. Meanwhile, on the VHL1 itinerary, Thien Cung cave has welcomed over 670,000 and 710,000 visitors in the past 2 years, respectively; on the VHL2 itinerary, Sung Sot cave has welcomed over 1.56 million and over 1.85 million visitors in the past 2 years, respectively...

In terms of potential, the VHL3 and VHL4 journeys are located in an area with great opportunities to develop new tourism products with pristine landscapes, diverse ecosystems and very special destinations with cultural and historical values such as: Cua Van area, Tien Ong cave, Co cave, Vung Vieng fishing village, Cap La cave, Thay cave, Cong Do pine - ang eco-zone...

Furthermore, the daytime ticket price of the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries is only 200,000 VND /person, lower than the daytime ticket price of the VHL1 and VHL2 itineraries which is 250,000 VND /person . However, due to the distance from shore and the long travel time by cruise ship (average 8-10 hours/trip), for many years, these itineraries have mainly been operated by ships that stay overnight in the bay, while the number of tourists visiting during the day is still very limited.

- So what solutions does the unit have to attract more tourists to offshore tours on Halong Bay in the coming time?

+ Attracting visitors and effectively exploiting the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries not only creates new tourism products, attracting international visitors, but also creates a balance in preserving and promoting the values of the heritage sustainably, in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations. Therefore, the Halong Bay Management Board has proposed many solutions. First of all, speed up the progress of completing policy mechanisms (Planning for preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Halong Bay scenic spots until 2035, vision to 2050; Plan for sustainable tourism development of Halong Bay World Heritage until 2035, vision to 2050; procedures for handing over sea areas, special-use forests...), to create a legal corridor for developing tourism products aimed at the market of high-paying visitors on the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries.

Along with cruise ships, it is expected that speedboats will be the means of transport that can take visitors to VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries in the near future.
Second, actively coordinate with relevant departments, branches, localities and tourism businesses to strengthen surveys to build and develop unique and attractive tourism programs on these two itineraries. In particular, focus on developing high-end, selective and highly competitive tourism services, such as: Organizing art performances in caves and sandbanks combined with organizing light parties; organizing mountain climbing tours, exploring new caves in Halong Bay; organizing squid fishing and recreational fishing services; developing fashion shows; adding underwater entertainment products combined with culinary experiences in fishing villages...

At the same time, we plan to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration the policy of exploiting VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries by speedboat. The goal of this proposal is to contribute to diversifying the experience of tourists visiting Halong Bay, shortening travel time, overcoming the current situation due to the long travel time by cruise ship, leading to fewer visitors taking day trips to offshore routes. Attracting visitors to these routes also reduces the load on traditional nearshore routes, contributing to environmental protection and rational use of tourism resources of the heritage, in line with UNESCO's sustainable development perspective.

Third, actively coordinate with relevant localities to expand tourism space, strengthen connections between VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries to sightseeing routes in Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, to promote development opportunities and attract visitors. Along with that, continue to focus on propaganda, promotion and advertising of products and services of the two VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries on mass media, social networking platforms, etc.

The road leading to Hang Co is currently quite small and rudimentary, and is expected to be invested in and renovated in the near future.

- The VHL3 and VHL4 sightseeing routes have many beautiful sights but also many limitations. So what is the unit's policy and roadmap for investing in infrastructure and service products to attract tourists?

+ Adhering closely to the province's policies and orientations on developing new, unique, and highly competitive tourism products in Halong Bay, in the coming time, we will focus on accelerating the completion of the legal corridor to serve as a basis for implementing tourism infrastructure investment projects in the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries as mentioned above.

In addition, speed up the completion of construction, repair and renovation of degraded infrastructure at tourist attractions on these two itineraries, to ensure convenience, safety and aesthetics in welcoming and serving tourists.

In particular, focusing on renovating and repairing the Cua Van and Vung Vieng Floating Cultural Center areas; renovating the system of wharves, toilets, waiting rooms, lighting systems, and access roads at Tien Ong cave and Co cave. Maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure of the mooring buoy system, signal buoys at the routes, sightseeing and accommodation points, and the signaling system connecting sightseeing and overnight accommodation points with the inland waterways on the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries; expanding the overnight accommodation area at Cong Do accommodation point...

Review and deploy new investment in infrastructure ( bridges, toilets, waiting rooms, road systems, etc.) at points that are included in the ticket structure of VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries but have not yet been invested in, to ensure adequate conditions for welcoming guests, to meet the needs and ensure the rights of tourists, including: Ba Ham Lake , Ba Men Temple, Du Cave, Truc Forest (VHL3 itinerary ); Thay Cave, Cap La Cave, pine forest - Cong Do Village (VHL4 itinerary) .

At the same time , infrastructure investment in some areas is expected to develop underwater entertainment services, contributing to improving the experience of tourists. Review investment in infrastructure and traffic routes to ensure smooth routes, connecting VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries with tourist destinations in Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (Cat Ba archipelago, Hai Phong).

Coordinate with relevant departments, branches and units to speed up the installation of Internet coverage stations in Halong Bay, especially at tourist attractions on the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of heritage conservation status; manage, supervise and regulate vehicles and tourists, and at the same time serve disaster prevention, search and rescue, and develop tourism here.

With the orientation of synchronous implementation of solutions, we believe that the VHL3 and VHL4 itineraries will become attractive highlights, not only attracting staying guests but also day-trip visitors, contributing to reducing the load on central areas, while enhancing the value of the World Natural Heritage Halong Bay in the eyes of domestic and international tourists.

- Thank you for the conversation!

A cruise on Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most iconic and popular travel experiences, known for its dramatic seascape of thousands of limestone karsts and islets. While the "Halong Bay cruise" is the famous name, many modern and highly-rated cruises actually operate in the adjacent and less-crowded Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, which share the same stunning geology.