'Hungry' for international visitors, Ha Long Bay boats bask in the sun

Hotels closed, ships 'starved' of guests

According to the Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, because it is not the peak season for domestic tourists, while international tourists have not returned in large numbers, the fleet of boats visiting Ha Long Bay is operating sluggishly.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tung, owner of Anh Duong ship, said that at this time in the years before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were a lot of Chinese tourists, so services on Ha Long Bay were extremely bustling. After the pandemic was controlled, the international tourist market was still modest, which was the reason why businesses struggled.

"90% of the international tourist market in Quang Ninh is Chinese. Not to mention, the services on Ha Long Bay do not have many innovations, making tourists feel bored," said Mr. Tung.

Ha Long International Cruise Port is deserted

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Bach, manager of Manarola Hotel (Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City) sadly informed that this hotel has almost stopped operating since the beginning of the year due to lack of guests.

"There are not many events in Ha Long during this time, domestic tourists prefer to come here in the summer, so many hotels are in a state of sluggish business. Many establishments have even closed since the Lunar New Year until now and will reopen near the summer tourist season," said Mr. Bach.

On the main roads of the coastal city of Ha Long, many hotels and restaurants are still closed to wait for the right time. Due to the lack of customers, other service chains in Quang Ninh this season are also in a slump, such as restaurants, cruise ships, entertainment areas, etc.

Mr. Le Hoang Minh, a restaurant owner in Bai Chay Ward (Ha Long City) added: "Domestic tourists have not returned to Ha Long but often go to spiritual places and then return home the same day. The authorities have recently taken action to strictly handle the issue of alcohol testing, which is also the reason why customers are more hesitant about partying at restaurants."

Back to domestic customers

To stimulate market demand during the low season, localities and businesses in Quang Ninh have simultaneously launched promotional programs and created new products to attract tourists.

The most impressive and large-scale program for tourists coming to Quang Ninh is the 3S ecosystem multi-experience combination program ofSun Group deployed by Premier Village Ha Long Bay resort with the All-in-one incentive package.

Nearly 2,000 international tourists arrived in Ha Long by ship on March 6.

Accordingly, with prices starting from VND 1,460,000/guest, visitors will enjoy full 5-star services at the resort on the shore of the heritage bay with many privileges such as enjoying lunch/dinner; free onsen mineral bath tickets at the first Japanese-standard hot mineral resort in Vietnam Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh; 20% discount on Queen cable car tickets and entrance tickets to the two largest theme parks in Southeast Asia, Dragon Park and Typhoon Water Park at Sun World Ha Long entertainment complex; free visit to the spiritual complex Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu, an architectural complex bearing the imprint of 17th and 18th century Buddhist culture.

In addition, Sun World Ha Long is also implementing a special program, accordingly, the Queen cable car ticket price applies a discount of up to 60%, from 350,000 VND down to 150,000 VND (exclusively for Vietnamese tourists when buying at the ticket counter); Dragon Park ticket price saves nearly 70% from 350,000 VND down to 100,000 VND, applicable for adults and children from 1 - 1.4m; free for children under 1m...

Ha Long City is also urgently implementing renovations to exploit the Bai Tho mountain sightseeing route associated with relics and sightseeing spots such as Long Tien Pagoda, Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple, ferry waiting house, Ba Deo cluster, Hon Gai Church, Ha Long I market. At the same time, it is also establishing a route connecting sightseeing spots between Ha Long Bay and the mountain and forest areas; a plan to build a night street and walking street; maximizing the advantages and tourism resources associated with the Ha Long - Van Don - Mong Cai expressway...

Director of Quang Ninh Department of Tourism - Pham Ngoc Thuy affirmed that the local tourism industry will continue to promote activities to stimulate demand, restore domestic and intra-provincial tourism; improve the internal capacity and autonomy of localities and businesses with the motto "Domestic and intra-provincial tourism is the internal force, the fundamental foundation for sustainable tourism development".

With the above measures, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 1.2 million visitors, to achieve the plan of welcoming 4.55 million visitors in the first quarter of 2023.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-khach-quoc-te-tau-thuyen-vinh-ha-long-phoi-nang-18523030715271174.htm