Quang Ninh missed out on most of its key tourism products.

There aren't many products that customers need yet.

The experiences of climbing Bai Tho Mountain, sailing in Ha Long Bay, zip-lining and cave exploration in Bai Tu Long Bay were highly anticipated tourism products in 2023. However, these products were not implemented.

The product names sound unappealing at first glance, and reality has proven otherwise, such as: Bai Tho Night Walking Street, Hai Thinh Lake, Nhat Vuong Farm, Fruit Orchard Experience in Viet Dan Commune of Dong Trieu Town, "Bach Dang Impression" Tour...

In particular, the Bai Tho Night Walking Street in Ha Long City was only vibrant for the first few sessions and then faded away – because it lacked any special products or services. When Ha Long City invested in building the Bai Tho Night Walking Street, many suggested that this product could only "survive" if it simultaneously offered the "Bai Tho Mountain Climbing Experience" service.

The most popular product among tourists is "Listening to Music on Ha Long Bay" due to its novelty, uniqueness, professional investment, and high-quality service. This is one of the very few privately-run tourism products, while the majority of the 38 registered products are implemented by state agencies.

Why is that?

The "Sailing Race in Ha Long Bay" project is a prime example. After the arduous process of obtaining the necessary permits, even Mr. Le Tien Dung, the head of the Tuan Chau Port Sailing Club, can only shake his head and is reluctant to talk about the club's ambitious project.

Over two years ago, he and his friends established a club and invited many people from both within and outside the country to join. With more than 10 modern sailboats, Mr. Dung hopes to create a new, high-class tourism product in Ha Long Bay, and at the same time invite international sailing clubs to exchange and learn from each other.

After completing the proposal, he had to go around seeking feedback from all relevant agencies and units. However, after revising and supplementing it based on feedback and resubmitting it, he was again asked for further revisions and additions...

Meanwhile, as soon as Ha Long City announced the detailed plan for the "Bai Tho Mountain Climbing Experience" product, everyone thought that tourists and locals would definitely be able to climb the mountain in 2023.

However, upon submission to higher authorities, it was announced that, since Bai Tho Mountain is a National Monument, investment must be carried out by the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee. Therefore, Ha Long withdrew, and the plan to develop this unique tourism product stalled.

Of the 38 registered products, Van Don district has 6 new tourism products, including 3 related to Bai Tu Long Bay and Bai Tu Long National Park, and expected to start serving tourists from June 2023. However, after the project proposals were completed, they were told... they had to wait for the new planning document for Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long.

According to Mr. Doan Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association, with the current approach, developing a tourism product takes a lot of time, even effort and energy, without yielding results. “Ideally, there should be a central agency to help businesses complete the procedures, but instead, businesses have to run around everywhere. Therefore, the development of tourism products should be entrusted to individuals and businesses because only they understand what customers want, and since they are investing their own money, they are more likely to create quality products. State agencies should only provide guidance and support to businesses,” said Mr. Doan Van Dung.