8 Days, 30,000 Visitors: Ha Long Bay’s Resurgence
According to the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the bay welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors over an 8-day period (from September 10 to 17), with almost 90% being international tourists.
Popular destinations among international visitors include Thien Cung Cave, Rooster Rock, Dau Go Cave, Ti Top Island, Luon Cave, and Ba Hang. The majority of foreign tourists originate from South Korea, India, Europe, and the Americas.
Notably, there has been a significant increase in visitors from South Korea, India, and Malaysia. The autumn and winter seasons also mark the peak period for international arrivals in Quang Ninh province.
Source: Quang Ninh Provincial Portal’s Tourism Page
The recent storm, the third of its kind this year, caused severe damage to tourism service providers and destinations across the province, with coastal and island areas being no exception.
On Ha Long Bay, the management and operation facilities at 13 workstations were damaged, with some even sinking. The Cua Van Floating Cultural Center was severely damaged, and 15 conservation rafts were completely sunk. Port infrastructure, equipment, machinery, signage, and greenery at the viewing sites were also affected, with estimated losses amounting to VND 35 billion.
Kayaking and rowing services provided by tourism businesses in Ha Long Bay, including those in Ba Hang, Cong Do, Cua Van, Luon Cave, and Vung Vieng, were entirely destroyed, and the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. The tourism fleet also suffered significant losses, with 27 tourist vessels and 4 shuttle boats sinking. Many other ships sustained partial damage to their infrastructure, equipment, and machinery.
To ensure the resumption of activities and the safety of tourists after the storm, the Management Board temporarily suspended tourist activities on September 11 and 12 to focus on inspecting the conditions of routes and scenic spots. Additionally, maintaining the environmental sanitation of the bay was a top priority for the Management Board.
Forces cleaning up the beach. Source: Quang Ninh Provincial Portal’s Tourism Page
Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, shared on the Quang Ninh Provincial Portal’s Tourism Page that due to the impact of the storm, the amount of trash in Ha Long Bay is currently substantial and includes fragments of rafts used for aquaculture, branches, leaves, foam floats, household waste, and sunken vessels.
The Management Board will first focus on garbage collection in the core area of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site, specifically along tourist routes and overnight stops, followed by a comprehensive cleanup of the entire bay, including its islands and sandy beaches. This task has been identified as a long-term responsibility of the Ha Long Bay Management Board.
Ha Long Bay: A World Natural Wonder
Located on the western shore of the Bac Bo Gulf, Ha Long Bay is one of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World and has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, on December 17, 1994, and December 2, 2000.
Spanning an area of approximately 1,553 square kilometers, Ha Long Bay encompasses 1,969 named and unnamed islands. The core area of the bay covers 334 square kilometers and features over 775 islands, mostly limestone karsts typical of the fengling and fengcong styles, as well as a diverse array of caves.
Ha Long Bay boasts a unique landscape shaped by its limestone islands, each with its own distinct form. The bay captivates visitors all year round, offering a different allure with each changing season.
Ha Long Bay is home to diverse ecosystems, including tropical moist forests and marine and coastal ecosystems with numerous sub-ecosystems. Among the thousands of flora and fauna species inhabiting the bay, 14 plant species and approximately 60 animal species are endemic.
Each of the bay’s limestone islands boasts a unique shape, distinct from any other coastal island in Vietnam, and no two islands are alike.
In October 2023, Forbes magazine ranked Ha Long Bay among the 24 best destinations for 2024, describing it as “one of the world’s most unique ecosystems and geological formations. Few places offer such a combination of natural beauty, outdoor activities, delicious food, tranquility, and easy accessibility.”
Earlier, in February 2023, the renowned international travel magazine Travel+Leisure suggested Ha Long Bay as one of the four ideal destinations to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, regardless of the season.
Ha Long Bay has also served as a backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters such as “Kong: Skull Island” and “The Creator.”
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