More than 800 ships have been mobilised to carry over 11,000 tourists visiting Halong Bay during the first two days of New Year holiday (January 1 and 2), an increase of 10% compared to 2010.
Of them, 80% are foreign tourists. Streets, restaurants, hotels, especially in Bai Chay area, are decorated with banners wishing a Happy New Year. In big hotels such as Halong Plaza, Grand Halong and Novotel, traditional games, art performances and fashion shows were organised, attracting many tourists.
Joining other international cruise ships which regularly bring foreign tourists to Halong Bay, in late 2010, the Halong-Fangchenggang cruise officially reopened after a long interruption, reaffirming position of the northern province of Quang Ninh in sea tourism.
In 2010, Quang Ninh Province received 5.4 million visitors, up by 12% against the previous year, of which, the number of foreign visitors increased by 2.2 million, up by 10% compared to 2009. Turnover from tourist activities reached VND2,900 billion, showing a year-on-year increase of 11%. The number of visitors from major tourist markets rose: China (by 10%), Taiwan (by 65%), Japan (by 40%) and the Republic of Korea (by 22%).
In 2011, Quang Ninh’s tourism industry set a target of welcoming 5.4 million visitors, including 2.5 million foreigners, and achieving a turnover of VND3,000 billion.