The northern province of Quang Ninh will host 50 programmes under
National Tourism Year 2018 themed “Ha Long-Heritage, Wonder, Friendly Destination”

Other cities and provinces will hold 42 activities in as part of the one-year event that begins at the outset of 2018, while another 10 will be held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Hosting the National Tourism Year for the second time in 15 years, Quang Ninh is making meticulous preparations for the event, said Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu Thi Thu Thuy.

Highlights of the event will include the opening ceremony and Carnaval Ha Long 2018 in Ha Long city, she said, noting that its conclusion is attached with the opening of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 (ATF 2019) slated for January, 2019.

Programmes in the year will include a national paragliding competition, Hue festival, Lang Son peach blossom festival, Da Nang international fireworks festival and Bai Dinh pagoda festival.

The event is expected to draw more foreign tourists to Viet Nam and bolster domestic tourism. 

It is also hoped to raise public awareness about tourism development in association with protection of marine resources and promote the cultural values and tourism products of Quang Ninh.
 
Under the Overall Plan for Tourism Development in Quang Ninh, Quang Ninh strives to become an international tourism centre and a leading tourism destination in Viet Nam with modern infrastructure and diverse, high quality and competitive tourism products. 

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

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

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

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

The province has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and over 2,000 islets, two-thirds of the total number in Viet Nam. The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city 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 and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among domestic and international tourists thanks to their breathtaking sea and coral reef.