Quang Ninh (VNA) – ꧑The People’s Council of thenortheastern province of Quang Ninh approved a tourism promotion incentive for 2020 worth about 200 billion VND (nearly 8.6 million USD), during a meeting onMay 14.

Under the incentive, starting from May 15, ticket fees willbe exempted for all visitors, both Vietnamese and foreigners, to Ha Long Bay,Quang Ninh Museum and the complex of Yen Tu monuments and landscapes until theend of the month and upcoming holidays. In addition, passengers going through the Van Don InternationalAirport will receive free round-trip bus rides to Ha Long and Uong Bi citiesuntil the year's end. Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of thePeople’s Council of Quang Ninh Nguyen Xuan Ky underlined that the impact of the COVID-19 on the tourism sector has forced the province to adapt and devisesuitable measures and mechanisms in an attempt to support the sector and itsworkers. The package is part of the efforts to facilitate tourism development,which is a top priority for the province’s economic recovery. It is hoped to attract more domestic tourists to Quang Ninhand create stable jobs for local people, ensuring social welfare andmaintaining economic growth after the pandemic. Tourist arrivals until July are projected to be 80 percent of the same period last year. Quang Ninh welcomed only 1.54 million holidaymakers in thefirst four months, a year-on-year decline of 77 percent, earning 2.76 trillionVND. Local firms operating in the tourism sector recently agreedto reduce costs of services by 30-50 percent and present new products to luretourists to the province. At the same time, they are advised to maintain quality ofservices to promote the images of local tourism. An alliance in charge of promoting Quang Ninh tourism hasbeen set up. It is tasked with devising and carrying out stimulus programmes toattract visitors, offsetting the impact of COVID-19 and fostering tourismgrowth in the post-pandemic period. The organisation is expected to play an important role inconnecting the provincial tourism sector with domestic and foreignholidaymakers. The provincial People’s Committee announced that the Ha LongCarnival and the 2020 Ha Long - Quang Ninh Tourism Week will take place onVietnam’s National Day (September 2) if the pandemic is brought under control. The annual carnival, first organised in 2007, features thetypical cultural and tourism attractions of the province. Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea andisland tourism. It has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and more than2,000 islands and islets which account for two-thirds of the total number inVietnam. It is home to popular destinations such as Ha Long Bay, BaiTu Long, Ha Long Bay National Park and some islands. In particular, Ha Long Bay was twice recognised as a WorldNatural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994 and 2000. The bay spans 1,553 squarekilometres and includes 1,969 islands of various sizes. It features thousands of limestone karsts and islets invarious shapes and sizes. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500 millionyears of formation in different conditions and environments. The site welcomed 4.4 million holidaymakers throughout 2019,including 2.9 million foreigners, and raked in 1.23 trillion VND from tourism. Located 80 km from the mainland, Co To island is anotherattraction in Quang Ninh. The island district comprises Co To Lon (large Co Toisland), Co To Be (small Co To island) and 15 smaller islands.

Besides enchanting beaches, the island has natural forests,lighthouses, parks, wharves, fishing villages, bays and a rock garden.

♕ Located in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quan Lan Island in Van Dondistrict has become an ideal destination in summer holidays thanks to itspristine beauty, clear blue seawater and fine white sand bank stretching alongthe green rows of casuarinas./.