Affirming the brand of the tourism capital

Promoting green economy , digital economy, and heritage economy are long-term and sustainable goals that Ha Long City is aiming for. In particular, tourism development is an important spearhead, thereby turning Ha Long into an international tourism center and a leading national tourism destination.

Tourists enjoy taking souvenir photos in Ha Long Bay.

Last year was a memorable year for Ha Long tourism when a series of major cultural, sports and tourism events were held, attracting thousands of tourists. Among them, the Carnaval festival - an event associated with the brand of Ha Long City - must be mentioned. This is also the first time the festival was performed in the form of live theater art on the sea, with the most modern technology. More than 5,000 people and tourists came to admire the performance on the sand and sea of 2,000 professional and non-professional actors along with hundreds of ships and boats, thereby creating the most perfect Ha Long Carnaval heritage dance.

In addition, with the orientation of the Project "Ha Long - Festival City", a series of large-scale and attractive events have made a deep impression on tourists such as: Fun Wheels Festival Ha Long 2024; sailing, paragliding, jet skiing festival Ha Long 2024; hot air balloon festival Ha Long 2024 or running races are continuously held on the shore of the Heritage. Besides, many businesses have organized music programs at Sun Hill, Lighthouse complex, Lulalu coffee, Harmony hill with the participation of famous singers to promote tourism.

The music program was held on the shore of Ha Long Bay Heritage.

In 2024, the city has also proactively developed 7 new tourism products such as: Lighthouse entertainment complex; restaurant cruise products combined with weddings on Ha Long Bay; luxury accommodation products; "Old Memories" market; Kim Cuong entertainment complex (Tuan Chau); community tourism model; Bai Chay walking and culinary street. In addition, the city has created conditions and encouraged organizations and individuals to invest and build new products such as: VuiFest walking and culinary street; Memory Market at Ha Long International Passenger Port; new luxury accommodation ships and restaurants coming into operation...

In addition to exploiting the strengths of Ha Long Bay or island tours, the city has developed tourism products in the northern mountainous communes of the city such as Ky Thuong and Dong Son to create diverse choices for tourists. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long, Deputy Director of Saigontourist Travel Services Company Limited Branch in Quang Ninh, said: Community tourism models, cultural, agricultural and rural tourism experiences have been invested in very systematically, creating attraction for tourists, especially international tourists. In addition, the city has proactively connected with travel companies, providing information on eco-tourism products, agricultural tourism, community tourism... at the tourist information counter of Ha Long International Passenger Port to promote to tourists. Many groups of tourists after experiencing all have good feedback. They were surprised to learn about the unique ethnic culture here and wish to return to explore other destinations of Ha Long.

The Bang Ca Village Festival 2024 held at the Dao Thanh Y Cultural Reserve (Bang Ca Commune, Ha Long City) attracted a large number of locals and tourists to participate. *Photo: Ha Long City Cultural and Information Center*

Keeping up with the digital transformation trend, the city's tourism industry has proactively Attach QR codes to 18/18 tourist destinations; work with technology solution companies to research and form tourism information pages and digitize some destinations. Along with that, strengthen supervision, inspection, and resolutely handle a number of incidents such as: tours to deserted islands, night squid fishing, street vendors... to ensure the tourism business environment, build friendly and safe destinations. With the efforts of the government and tourism businesses, in 2024, Ha Long City will welcome about 10.6 million tourists, an increase of 22% over the same period in 2023, of which international visitors will reach 2.7 million, nearly double that of the same period in 2023. Total revenue from tourism activities will reach 23,320 billion VND. By 2025, the city aims to welcome 11.5 million visitors, of which international visitors will reach 3 million; Total revenue from tourism activities reached 26,500 billion VND.

Taking the development orientation of green economy, digital economy, heritage economy of Ha Long City as the "compass", the tourism industry focuses on building a variety of solutions. In particular, taking Ha Long Bay as the center, both preserving and promoting heritage values, and connecting and expanding neighboring tourism satellites. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, Head of the Department of Culture and Information, the city will continue to implement projects on building Ha Long into a "City of Flowers" and "City of Festivals"; organize 18 programs, events, tourism, cultural, sports, and commercial activities to attract tourists; continue to introduce 10 new tourism products. At the same time, exploit and promote the value of national cultural identity of the Northern region; prioritize the development of unique and highly competitive tourism products and services, especially cultural and entertainment industry products; night-time sightseeing products along the coast of Ha Long Bay. At the same time, invest in completing the infrastructure of auxiliary works serving tourism and services such as: toilets, public parking lots, means of transport within the city, connecting tourist areas and spots. The city will strengthen the introduction and promotion of tourism on mass media, social networking platforms, as well as promote the connection between the tourism industry and other industries and fields, between Ha Long and localities inside and outside the province.

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