An art performance at the event (Photo: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) - The National Tourism Year 2018 - HaLong - Quang Ninh wrapped up with a ceremony which coincided with a galacerebrating the success of the ASEAN Tourism Forum in the northern coastalprovince of Quang Ninh on January 18 night.
Addressing the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismNguyen Ngoc Thien lauded contributions of provinces and cities to the NationalTourism Year 2018 when the number of international tourists to Vietnam doubledas compared with the previous year.
He asked provinces and cities in general and Quang Ninh inparticular to carry forward their potential and achievements to promotesustainable tourism development.
Thien also urged agencies under the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism to continue their coordination with provinces and cities inpromoting and developing tourism products.
Priorities should be given to developing tourism infrastructureand services, he said, noting that tourism development needs to go in tandemwith cultural value preservation and promotion.
The minister proposed creating favourable conditions forlocalities to access major policies and projects at home and abroad to developtourism products and enhance tourism cooperation.
Themed “Ha Long-Heritage, Wonder, Friendly Destination,” theNational Tourism Year 2018 featured an array of events and programmes in 15cities and provinces across the country.
Last year, Quang Ninh, which is home to UNESCO-recognised Ha LongBay, welcomed a record 12.2 million tourists, 2 percent higher than the settarget and up 24 percent year-on-year.
Up to 5.2 million international holidaymakers visited the provincein the year, exceeding the target by 5 percent and a rise of 22.1 percentagainst 2017, statistics showed.
The province earned about 23.6 trillion VND (1.01 billion USD)from tourism services, or 4 percent higher than the yearly target and up 28.1percent year-on-year.
The National Tourism Year 2019 will be hosted by the centralcoastal province of Khanh Hoa with the theme of “Nha Trang – Colour of theSea.”
The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 took place in HaLong city, Quang Ninh province, from January 16-18 under the theme of“ASEAN-The Power of One.” It looks to realize an ASEAN of “One Vision, OneIdentity, One Community”.
The forum brought together around 2,000 delegatesfrom national tourism agencies of the ASEAN countries, the UNWTO, and local andinternational travel companies and tourism media outlets.
Located in Tonkin Gulf in the northeast of Vietnam, Bai Tu Long Bay covers the waters of Ha Long and Cam Pha cities, and the island district of Van Don in Quang Ninh province. It includes hundreds of islets of all sizes, many big enough for habitation.
Bai Tu Long Bay is home to many traces of Ha Long Culture that dates back thousands of years.
It features limestone and schist islets – a result of geological formations lasting over 300 million years. Famous islets include Bai Tho, Con Coc, Tien Ong, Con Rua, Dam Oan, Mat Quy, and Con Co. Some outstanding caverns there are Thien Canh Son Carven, Tam Cung Cavern and Me Cung Cavern.
The bay also harbours beautiful beaches such as Con Co, Van Don, Quan Lan, Minh Chau and Co To.
Quan Lan Island is a must-visit destination for tourists to Bai Tu Long. It is suitable for adventurers as well as those who love simple and romantic experiences thanks to the harmony of sea, forest, culture and architecture.
Visitors can also tour the fishing village on Minh Chau Island or Cai Lang – the oldest village there.
Thong Thien Cave, Phat Co Island, and Ban Sen Island are among other destinations tourists should have a look at. Sailing to explore submerged forests or swimming in the clear water off Uyen Uong beach are recommended experiences.
𓃲 Additionally, vacationers can visit Cua Ong Temple and Van Hoa port or walk through forests to experience the hospitality of ethnic Tay, Red Dao and San Diu people in their villages across Bai Tu Long Bay.-VNA
