Quang Ninh reemerges as safe and attractive tourism destination

Tran Quoc Nghien Avenue providing a romantic highlight for Halong City

Successes in the battle against COVID-19

Following the government’s directions, right from the beginning, Quang Ninh has been keeping tabs on and reacted to the daily development of the COVID-19 pandemic by stopping all tourism activities and closing the province to tourists going to and coming from infected regions before the lunar New Year (Tet). In Mong Cai city, around 100 control points were set up to operate around the clock at border gates and highways from Mong Cai city to Binh Lieu district.

During the 17^th meeting of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh, Nguyen Xuan Ky, Chairman of the People’s Committee, has emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe economic and social crisis in the country. Recognising the potential danger of the pandemic, Quang Ninh has proactively and creatively responded to the pandemic to ensure utmost efficiency.

Subsequently, Quang Ninh has been avoiding being reactive and caught by surprises. Moreover, the province has also managed to stabilise its economic growth, with its tourism sector reopened effectively and confidently as a safe and attractive destination.

On May 24, at a meeting with the province-based National Assembly delegates, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised Quang Ninh as one of the municipalities which have exerted great efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with tremendous enthusiasm and creativity, contributing to the nation’s success in controlling the pandemic.

Quang Ninh is also the first municipality in the country to open a quarantined hospital with full supply of modern facilities and specialised staff, ready to operate 24/7. Its plan to welcome Vietnamese citizens from Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic, the US, South Korea, Russia, and other countries via Van Don International Airport has proven effective. The province has emerged as a great example of controlling the pandemic and remained an attractive destination for everyone.

The top choice to visitors

Quang Ninh, with more than 600 historical and cultural monuments, five special national monuments, three national monuments, and eight provincial monuments and a diverse vista of mountains and sea, has always been an attractive tourist destination. The province's appeal has been improved by constantly improving transportation and service facilities and innovating tourism products and services.

Along with this, Co To has been turned into a paradise of northern Vietnam with dozens of romantic beaches, blue seas, and white sandy beaches spreading among more than 50 islets of various sizes. The most popular destinations are Co To lighthouse, Cau My rock field, Van Chay Beach, and the Road of Love.

Binh Lieu is considered the Sapa of Quang Ninh with its cool climate and terraced paddy fields lining the never-ending mountain roads. Tien Yen is famous for its chicken dishes and Pac Sui waterfall.

As soon as the pandemic was brought under control, many regions of Quang Ninh have started to report a rapid rebound in the number of visitors. On May 22-23, the number of visitors to Co To Island had soared to more than 4,000.

Now is also the time when diverse summer tourism activities are taking place in Co To, with the highlight being the commencement of the high-speed cruise connection between Co To and Tuan Chau, Ha Long as well as thefarm tripboosting tourism at Co To and connecting tourism through Ha Long, Cat Ba, and Co To.

Typhoon Water Park at Sun World Halong Complex

From now on, visiting Co To only takes two hours starting right at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port instead of Cai Rong Port in Van Don using Tuan Chau Express, a two-bed cruise of European standards, helping to ensure absolute safety even when cruising far from the coastline in tough climate conditions.

For Mong Cai city, after four months of closing the border gates to visitors and prolonged social distancing, about 170,000 visitors have visited the city since the start of May.

According to Quang Ninh’s Department of Tourism, thanks to reducing and exempting entrance and service fees since May 14, in the first three days (May 15-17), more than 22,600 visitors had come to Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Museum, and Yen Tu Mountain. Moreover, all tourist attractions in the province have seen a rising number of daily visitors, especially during weekends.

Increasing charm

With the goal of turning Halong city into a modern, attractive, and friendly tourism centre, the city has prioritised resources on transportation facilities. One of these key infrastructure investments is the Tran Quoc Nghien coastline highway which is 6.2km long with the total investment of VND1.726 trillion ($75 million), fully coming from the provincial budget. The highway has been expanded from four to six lanes with five metres of pavement, and the 900m Hon Gai public beach will be built at the end of the road.

This highway aims to boost tourism growth across the province while also improving the attraction of other coastline spots like museums, Vincom Ha Long commercial centre, and Square 30/10.

On May 23, Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh in Cam Pha, the first hot stream resort in Vietnam, was put into operation. This totally new tourism product in Quang Ninh was funded by Sun Group. Water samples had been sent to Tokyo, Japan for analysis and review, and have received positive readings regarding mineral content that are good for the health such as metasilicic acid, boric acid, and especially more than 40mg/l of bromine.

As one of the three mineral water sources with the highest concentration of bromine in the world, Quang Ninh’s hot water stream is the backbone of this luxury resort – a highlight in the middle of the great natural setting of Quang Ninh. Yoko Onsen Resort resembles a small and peaceful Japanese village.

27 pools in the public areas consist of carbonated water, caved pools, pressurised pools, iced pools, kids’ pool, and more, along with Japanese-style saunas bringing in a variety of leisure and physical therapies.

Dang Minh Truong, chairman of the board of Sun Group, stated: “Being able to welcome a large amount of visitors any time during the year, Yoko Onsen Quang Ninh will improve seasonal tourism which has suppressed the development of our country’s tourism industry, transforming Quang Ninh into a four-season tourist destination.”

The Dong Son-Ky Thuong nature preservation zone – the green lung of Quang Ninh – will be a unique natural destination of Quang Ninh. At the beginning of May, Quang Ninh called for consultation about the plan to develop and construct Vinpearl Safari nature preservation and tourism zone.

Vinpearl Safarizone will be located in four wards: Vu Oai, Hoa Binh, Ky Thuong, and Dong Lam of Ha Long city. The proposed area will cover 1.135ha of land, mostly within the Dong Son-Ky Thuong nature preservation zone. Despite being in the early phase of construction, the safari promises to be an appealing destination in the near future.

With Onsen Quang Hanh, the 99-story Domino tower within the resort complex of Sun Group in Bai Chay and Vinpearl Safari, Quang Ninh will be the most fascinating four-season destinations in the northern region for domestic and international visitors alike.