Quang Ninh (VNA) -  Thenorthern province of Quang Ninh will host 50 programmes under National TourismYear 2018 themed “Ha Long-Heritage, Wonder, Friendly Destination”, heard apress conference in Hanoi on November 6.

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

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

Highlights of the event will include the opening ceremony and Carnaval Ha Long2018 in Ha Long city, she said, noting that its conclusion is attached with theopening 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 andBai Dinh pagoda festival.

The event is expected to draw more foreign tourists to Vietnam and bolsterdomestic tourism.

It is also hoped to raise public awareness about tourism development inassociation with protection of marine resources and promote the cultural valuesand tourism products of Quang Ninh.
 
Under the Overall Plan for Tourism Development in Quang Ninh, Quang Ninhstrives to become an international tourism centre and a leading tourismdestination in Vietnam with modern infrastructure and diverse, high quality andcompetitive tourism products.

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

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

The world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay alone welcomed 6.3 milliontourists and grossed 7.7 trillion VND (over 338 million USD) in revenue,respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent from the previous year. About2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners, year-on-year growth of 16 percent.

With a range of stunning landscapes, clear turquoise sea and spectacular limestonepillars together with numerous tourism investment projects, Quang Ninh boastshuge 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 Vietnam. The spectacular stretch of coastconnects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majesticnatural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beachwith 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 developedinto national tourism sites.

Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Daibeaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai cityhave grown in stature among domestic and international tourists thanks to theirbreathtaking sea and coral reef.-VNA