Quang Ninh - Strong investment poised for takeoff.

Quang Ninh possesses immense potential, from its seas and bays to its islands awaiting exploration, its hills and plains, and its historical sites and cultural and spiritual relics. Particularly in recent years, Quang Ninh has become increasingly attractive to domestic and international tourists thanks to significant investment in infrastructure and high-end tourism services.

VAN DON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located in Doan Ket commune, Van Don district (Quang Ninh province), Van Don International Airport officially commenced operations at the end of 2018. This marks the first time in Vietnam that a privately owned airport has been designed and built to international standards. As a Category 4E airport according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, it can accommodate all types of modern aircraft worldwide.

The terminal's capacity in the first phase reached 2.5 million passengers per year and is expected to expand to 5 million passengers by 2030. Van Don is also the only airport in Vietnam to be ranked among the Top 5 airports with the best service in the world, according to the Airport Quality Management Program (APMP) assessment for Q1/2019 published by Vietnam Airlines.

Currently, Van Don International Airport is pursuing a strategy of expanding domestic routes while also targeting the international market – with densely populated Asian markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan being the initial targets, with many new international routes continuously being introduced.

Since its commissioning, Van Don International Airport has affirmed its strategic position, connecting with many famous destinations and contributing to attracting a large number of tourists to Quang Ninh. From here, tourists can reach Quan Lan and Co To islands, Bai Tu Long Bay, Ha Long Bay, Bai Dai Beach, and more in less than an hour's travel time.

Particularly noteworthy is its location on an area of ​​325 hectares amidst towering mountains and dense forests, with a striking dome designed in the shape of sails billowing in the wind. Van Don International Airport is not only an important transportation landmark but also an impressive tourist attraction.

MODERN HIGHWAY SYSTEM

In recent years, significant investment in the road transport system has truly transformed Quang Ninh into a strategically advantageous location. Since 2018 alone, three vital expressways connecting the two provinces – Hanoi-Hai Phong, Hai Phong-Ha Long, and Ha Long-Van Don – have been put into operation, making travel between northern provinces and Quang Ninh and vice versa more convenient than ever. Travel time has been significantly reduced: just 2 hours to travel from Hanoi to Ha Long; approximately 2.5 hours to travel from Hanoi to Van Don; and nearly 1 hour to travel from Hai Phong to Ha Long.

With a total investment of over 11,000 billion VND, the Van Don - Mong Cai expressway project has officially commenced construction, aiming to shorten travel time between the two localities to just under one hour. The project is expected to be operational in 2021.

This investment in transportation infrastructure development has initially shown positive results in socio-economic development in general, directly impacting tourism activities and contributing to the take-off of Quang Ninh's tourism industry.

DEVELOPING HIGH-END RESORT INFRASTRUCTURE

In recent years, along with focusing on effectively exploiting this resource, Quang Ninh has attracted strong investment in tourism infrastructure to expand tourism space, concentrate on developing high-end tourism products, and increase the attractiveness of tourist destinations with a series of projects from strategic investors with strong brands.

The system of 4-5 star hotels and resorts continues to see the emergence of major names such as Novotel, Wynham, Vinpearl, Hilton, FLC… Alongside this is the investment and operation of large-scale commercial and entertainment complexes with numerous amenities such as: Ha Long Ocean Park; the FLC Ha Long ecological resort complex including a golf course, hotels, resorts, and a conference center…; Sun World Ha Long Park with many new tourist attractions and products; the Halong Marine Plaza commercial and entertainment complex boasting the largest indoor amusement park in Quang Ninh, the first artificial beach in Ha Long Bay, and an international standard cinema… This focus on investing in high-end resort and entertainment infrastructure not only improves the quality of tourism services in Quang Ninh but also creates a strong attraction for tourists, while simultaneously extending their length of stay.

Furthermore, the resort market in Quang Ninh has its own strengths thanks to its combination with cultural and spiritual heritage. Most noteworthy is the Yen Tu sacred mountain heritage site, known as a majestic mountainous region and the birthplace of Vietnamese Buddhism – the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. Not only does it preserve many historical and cultural relics associated with the founding of the Tran Dynasty, one of the most glorious dynasties in Vietnamese history, but it also boasts many ancient temples such as Dong Pagoda, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Mot Mai Pagoda, Giai Oan Pagoda… and many other sacred Buddhist sites that attract numerous pilgrims.

This area is currently undergoing the Truc Lam - Yen Tu Cultural Center project, with the highlight being the MGallery Legacy Yen Tu retreat, built in the Tran Dynasty architectural style and nestled amidst the majestic mountain ranges. Every detail reflects the essence of Vietnamese culture, such as the laterite stone walls, the carved lotus-shaped stone washbasins, and the copper bathtubs. Furthermore, it showcases many unique aspects of Vietnamese culture and history, making it a wonderful destination for tourists, pilgrims, and those interested in Zen – tourism combined with Buddhist meditation.

Another indicator of comprehensive investment in the high-end tourism sector is the recent emergence of international-standard golf courses. The first to open is the Mong Cai International Golf Club, an 18-hole course built to international standards, covering 200 hectares next to Tra Co beach. This is the first beach golf course in Vietnam, boasting a nearly 3km long beach and numerous 5-star amenities, creating a perfect recreational space.

Also an 18-hole golf course built to international standards, FLC Ha Long Bay Golf Course is situated in an incredibly impressive and unique "mountain-facing, sea-view" setting in Ha Long City. Located on a hilltop, it offers panoramic views of the stunning Ha Long Bay. Looking further out, visitors can take in the entire city of Ha Long, including iconic landmarks such as the Bai Chay Bridge, the Ha Long Museum, the Ferris wheel, or watch the sunset over the bay…

Offering world-class facilities for discerning travelers, the 27-hole Tuan Chau - Ha Long International Golf Course represents an investment of 1,500 billion VND, encompassing a comprehensive system of golf course infrastructure. The project has completed 18 holes and is expected to finish all 27 holes in 2019, becoming the largest international night golf course in Quang Ninh province.

CRUISES ON HA LONG BAY

Choosing a cruise to admire the majestic beauty of the World Natural Heritage site and spending the night on Ha Long Bay has been a familiar experience for many years, but its appeal is growing stronger. The first reason is that this journey offers visitors a wide range of emotions through exciting activities such as kayaking on the calm, perpetually turquoise waters, admiring the myriad shapes of limestone mountains, exploring the magical beauty of the natural cave system, relaxing on the beaches of pristine rocky islands, visiting fishing villages in the bay, and night squid fishing… But the appeal of this service also comes from the meticulous, sophisticated, and increasingly luxurious investment in the cruise ships operating in the bay.

Along with the growing demand for overnight cruise experiences on the bay, many companies now offer this service. Cruise ships operating on the bay are increasingly luxurious, with modern designs; spacious cabins, fully equipped and elegant; and itineraries featuring many innovative elements. A series of international 5-star cruise ships are continuously being launched, such as Paradise Cruise, Calypso, Star Light, and Aphrodite Cruise…

Among them, Paradise Cruise is one of the cruise brands that consistently inspires travelers by introducing pioneering services, bringing a new definition of luxury tourism in Ha Long Bay. Following the success of the Paradise Luxury wooden cruise system, in 2018, the 5-star Paradise Elegance cruise ship was launched with a steel hull design combining contemporary style with a purely Vietnamese aesthetic, truly a masterpiece of luxury cruises in Ha Long Bay.

In 2019, Paradise Cruise launched half-day or full-day cruises exploring the bay on the Paradise Explore yacht. In addition, this year, Paradise Cruise will introduce visitors to the beauty of Lan Ha Bay through its new cruise project – Paradise Grand. The first restaurant cruise in Ha Long Bay – Paradise Delight – will also launch later this year, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable culinary experience. These new projects by Paradise promise to usher in a new era for cruise services in the bay.

Parallel to the development of cruise services is the development of the passenger port system. The Tuan Chau International Passenger Port system, comprising Port 1 and Port 2, has a total area of ​​200 hectares and a berth length of over 10 km. Port 1 was built on a modern scale in the style of European ports and has been operational since 2009. It has a berth length of 2,000 m and the capacity to accommodate more than 200 ships of various sizes for passenger pick-up and drop-off. The central port area includes a terminal, waiting area, and operations center with a luxurious and spacious layout of over 8,000 m².²It can accommodate approximately 3,000 passengers waiting for check-in. Alongside it is the Tuan Chau International Artificial Cruise Port (Port 2), which is 11 times larger than Port 1, with a total investment of thousands of billions of VND, capable of accommodating approximately 2,000 ships for docking and passenger pick-up/drop-off. Each year, the cruise port welcomes over 3 million domestic and international visitors and has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Organization as the largest artificial cruise port in Vietnam.

Following the opening of the international cruise terminal at the end of 2018, this year, Ha Long International Cruise Port has inaugurated its domestic waterway terminal – a marina within the Ha Long International Cruise Port – located right in the heart of the Bai Chay tourist area, opening a new gateway for tourists to visit Ha Long Bay more conveniently and safely. The facility is designed with four modern piers, with a maximum capacity of up to 300 cruise ships for sightseeing and overnight stays on routes to Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Gia Luan (Cat Ba). It can accommodate cruise ships, sightseeing boats, overnight cruise ships, and large high-speed vessels. Not only does it facilitate Vietnamese tourists visiting the heritage bay from the international cruise terminal, but foreign tourists arriving on luxury cruises will also easily transfer to domestic vessels to explore Ha Long Bay as soon as their cruise ships dock at the international terminal.

SEAPLANE TOUR IN HA LONG BAY

If tourists are still not satisfied with a cruise, a flight around the bay might be the perfect solution. Currently, the experience of viewing Ha Long Bay from a seaplane is exclusively offered by Hai Au Airlines.

Each flight can carry 12 passengers, with windows designed to ensure stunning views for everyone. While a luxurious and more expensive service than some other tourist activities in Quang Ninh, using a seaplane not only saves tourists travel time but is also the perfect way to fully appreciate the beauty of this UNESCO natural wonder.

Departing from Tuan Chau Port with a takeoff and landing on the water, this 25-minute flight will offer a completely different perspective: a magnificent seascape with nearly 2,000 limestone islands rising from the emerald green waters, spread across an area of ​​nearly 2,000 square kilometers.²From this vantage point, visitors can clearly see the shape of the majestic mountain ranges on the bay, curving like a dragon descending to the sea. The New York Times once voted the experience of viewing the bay by seaplane as one of the most attractive tourist services on the planet.

Quynh Le