HCMC – The northern province of Quang Ninh is targeting VND800 billion in revenue from international visitors to Halong Bay, according to the Halong Bay Management Board.
The province has since October 2023 seen a steady influx of foreign visitors, making up over 70% of all visitors to the World Heritage-listed Halong Bay.
In the first two weeks of January 2024 alone, the breathtaking bay welcomed over 110,000 visitors, with nearly 97,000 hailing from international destinations. Ticket sales during this period generated more than VND35 billion.
Accommodations on the bay hosted around 26,000 individuals, with 24,000 being international guests. Throughout 2023, Halong Bay recorded a total of 2.69 million visitors, maintaining a balance between domestic and international tourists.
The Halong Bay Management Board reported 110,000 tourist boat trips in 2023, including over 19,600 overnight stays. The cumulative revenue from ticket sales for the entire year surpassed VND792 billion.
In 2024, the management board has been tasked with achieving a revenue target of VND800 billion, as the province aims to move toward the record-high revenue of nearly VND1,200 billion in 2019.
Nguyen Trung Hau, deputy head of the Halong Bay Management Board, noted the significant recent growth in international visitors, primarily from South Korea, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, and European and American countries.
A survey by the Quang Ninh Province Statistics Office showed that in 2023, 61% of international visitors were independent travelers, while 31% opted for guided tours. The average length of stay for international tourists in Quang Ninh was 2.97 days, with the majority falling in the age groups of 35-44 years (40%), 45-54 years (29%), and 25-34 years (15%).
Regarding spending patterns, the office reported an average expenditure of around VND3.7 million per international visitor for each trip, with 60% allocated to accommodation and dining, and 25% for sightseeing, entertainment and shopping.
