Hai Phong - Quang Ninh: Two heritage bays, a journey of linking to develop high-class tourism

On the afternoon of October 22, the People's Committee of Hai Phong City held a working session with the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province on tourism development cooperation between the two localities and tourist transport activities in Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) and Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh).

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People's Committee, said: In recent times, the work of linking, cooperating and developing tourism between Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province has always been of interest to leaders of the two localities.

The signed tourism development cooperation and linkage programs have been implemented synchronously and effectively by the tourism sectors of the two localities, contributing to promoting tourism development, increasing competitiveness in regional linkages, creating quality inter-regional products, and meeting the diverse needs of tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People's Committee spoke at the meeting.

In particular, the recognition of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago by UNESCO is an important event, marking the cooperation of the two provinces and cities of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, helping to protect, sustainably manage and ensure the integrity of the World Natural Heritage.

At the same time, attracting tourists, giving visitors more complete experiences when the two destinations become dual heritage. Statistics show that from 2023 to now (the time after the Heritage was successfully registered), the number of visitors to Cat Ba and Ha Long has grown dramatically.

Scene of the working session between Hai Phong City People's Committee and Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee on the afternoon of October 22

Specifically, in 2023, there will be 2.7 million visitors to Ha Long Bay and 3,055 visitors to Cat Ba, growth rates of 128% and 129% respectively compared to 2022. This figure in 2024 will be 3.2 million visitors (visiting Ha Long Bay) and 3.68 million visitors (to Cat Ba), growth rates of 153% and 155% respectively compared to 2022. In the first 9 months of 2025, the number of visitors to Cat Ba will reach 3.87 million; the number of visitors to Ha Long will reach 2.63 million.

The two localities also regularly coordinate, exchange information, promote destinations, and common cultural features of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, especially in coordinating the development of nomination dossiers for the World Natural Heritage of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago, Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Heritage and communication, promoting destinations after being listed on information pages, websites, and fanpages about tourism of each locality; through domestic and international tourism fairs, seminars and tourism promotion cooperation activities. Coordinate to deploy propaganda about the Bach Dang Giang National Monument (Hai Phong city) and the Bach Dang Special National Monument (Quang Ninh province) during festivals and events taking place at the relic sites of the two localities.

Along with that, the two localities actively participate in annual cultural and tourism events hosted by the two localities: Hai Phong City attends the 9th Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference of 5 provinces and cities held in Quang Ninh; Annual Quang Ninh tourism promotion and introduction program; Quang Ninh Culinary Festival. Quang Ninh Province attends the annual Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Festival, Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring - Autumn Festival; Lychee Festival and tourism cooperation events and programs with the provinces and cities that Hai Phong hosts (Dien Bien, Binh Dinh, Nghe An, Hanoi...).

In addition, the two localities also promote the connection of the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh tourism triangle. Orient and connect Hai Phong tourism enterprises with Quang Ninh tourism enterprises to build inter-regional products with island resort tourism products, cultural and historical tourism, spiritual tourism, rural agricultural tourism; Cooperate in research and development of tourism products along the corridor between 5 provinces and cities: Yunnan (China) - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh (Vietnam); tourism products on the journey connecting the heritage of Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh - Ninh Binh (tourism development quadrilateral of the Red River Delta); tourism products exploiting the southern tourism market via Cat Bi International Airport and Van Don International Airport...

Lan Ha Bay in Cat Ba archipelago. Photo: Cat Ba Archipelago Bays Management Board

At the conference, the two localities agreed on the contents of the Draft Regulations on coordination in state management of inland waterway vehicle operations transporting passengers and tourists in Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh province) and Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong city), expected to be completed and signed before November 15, 2025.

In addition, the leaders of the two localities also agreed on the policy of expanding cooperation opportunities for tourism development in the 2026 - 2030 period with the following contents: Cooperation in communication, promotion, and tourism promotion; Cooperation in developing tourism products; Cooperation in linking and attracting tourists; Strengthening the effectiveness of state management of tourism...

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, emphasized: Regarding the draft Regulation on coordination in managing inland waterway vehicle operations transporting passengers and tourists in Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay, after the meeting, it is recommended that relevant units of the two localities consider accepting and supplementing it for early signing.

Ha Long Bay. Photo: Ha Long Bay Management Board

At the same time, it is hoped that the two localities will promote tourism development, have unique and distinctive tourism products; strengthen propaganda and promotion, especially on international information sites; soon issue a plan for tourism development cooperation program for the period 2026-2030. At the end of 2025, the three localities of Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Bac Ninh will coordinate to organize a ceremony to receive the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Certificate.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, spoke about tourism development cooperation between the two localities.

Agreeing with the opinions of the leaders of Quang Ninh province, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People's Committee Nguyen Minh Hung said that bilateral cooperation will help Quang Ninh and Hai Phong tourism to strongly promote its potential, promote regional connectivity... Thereby, creating a healthy competitive advantage in the context of globalization, creating motivation for the two localities to jointly build Cat Ba, Do Son and Ha Long into international tourism centers; meeting the requirements and goals of socio-economic development.

Investment Newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hai-phong-quang-ninh-hai-vinh-di-san-mot-hanh-trinh-lien-ket-phat-trien-du-lich-dang-cap-20251023082830331.htm