Quang Ninh (VNA) – The northeasternborder province of Quang Ninh attracted more than 8.6 million tourists in thefirst ten months of 2017, including nearly 3.4 million foreigners, year-on-yearjumps of 18 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

In 2017, Quang Ninh aims to serve 8.5 millionvisitors, including 3.5 million foreigners, and earn 13 trillion VND (572million USD) in revenue.

The number of visitors to the province’s Ha LongBay increased 25 percent to reach 3.2 million by the end of October, includingabout 2.1 million international tourists (up 26 percent against the same periodlast year).

The rise was attributed to the creation of moreattractive and better-quality products and services along with improved tourisminfrastructure and transport, experts said.

Furthermore, several festivals were held such asYen Tu festival, cherry and yellow apricot blossom festival, Ha Long-Quang Ninhtourism week, and Ha Long art programme.

The diversification of tourism promotionactivities drew much attention from domestic and foreign visitors.

Themed “Ha Long: Heritage, wonder and friendlydestination", the National Tourism Year 2018 will include 100 eventshosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism along with some citiesand provinces nationwide.

A number of activities will be held in QuangNinh, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the National Year, acuisine festival, a paragliding competition, a photo contest, and a ceremony topresent a certificate recognising Cua Ong temple as a special national relicsite, among others.

Under theOverall Plan for Tourism Development in Quang Ninh, Quang Ninh strives tobecome an international tourism centre and a leading tourism destination inVietnam with modern infrastructure and diverse, high quality and competitivetourism products.

 By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in 30-40 trillionVND (1.3-1.7 billion USD) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected tocontribute 14-15 percent to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

 In 2016, Quang Ninh welcomed 8.3 milliontourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of seven percent, and earned morethan 13 trillion VND (571 million USD) in revenue, up 23 percent, according tothe Quang Ninh Department of Tourism.

 The world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bayalone welcomed 6.3 million tourists and grossed 7.7 trillion VND (over 338million USD) in revenue, respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent fromthe previous year. About 2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners,year-on-year growth of 16 percent.

 With a range of stunning landscapes, clearturquoise sea and spectacular limestone pillars together with numerous tourisminvestment projects, Quang Ninh boasts huge potential to develop tourism.

 The province has a coastline of more than 250kilometres and over 2,000 islets, two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam.The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World HeritageSite of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don andCo To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern portcity of Hai Phong.

 Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba island and Do Son beach(Hai Phong city) are slated to be developed into national tourism sites.

 Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan,Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Dai beaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co andVinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among domestic andinternational tourists thanks to their breathtaking sea and coral reef.-VNA