Establishing a Sustainable Development Foundation for Bai Tu Long Bay

On July 19, 2024, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 2119/QD-UBND, announcing sightseeing routes on Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Subsequently, Decision No. 43/2024/QD-UBND dated October 8, 2024, introduced stringent management measures for watercraft serving tourists. These decisions aim not only to alleviate pressure on Ha Long Bay but also to establish a sustainable development foundation for Bai Tu Long Bay, thereby expanding exploration spaces, extending visitor stays, and enhancing tourist experiences.

According to the plan, the number of tourist boats on Ha Long Bay will be reduced to prevent overcrowding. By 2025, the total number of boats will be maintained at 508, a reduction of 31 boats compared to UNESCO's 2016 recommendations. To meet tourist demand, the province will pilot 20 luxury cruise ships dedicated to high-end exploration journeys. For Bai Tu Long Bay, the Provincial People's Committee has decided to add 100 boats, including overnight vessels. This allows boat owners to flexibly choose suitable tourism models, catering to the robust development of bay tourism.

Notably, Quang Ninh Province encourages replacing old wooden boats with steel-hulled or environmentally friendly materials. By 2030, all boats operating on Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay will transition to these types, enhancing safety, reducing pollution, and harmonizing with the bay's natural landscape. New boats must meet stringent technical safety and environmental protection standards, including a minimum speed of 8 nautical miles per hour and modern wastewater treatment systems, aligning with sustainable development requirements.

Concurrently, Quang Ninh is investing in infrastructure to meet the growing tourism demands. The province will upgrade navigation channels, ports, and anchorage areas to ensure safety and maximize convenience for tourists. This investment plan is divided into two phases: by 2025, the province will complete dredging channels, install warning signs in hazardous areas, and renovate and expand port reception capacities. From 2026 to 2030, the inland waterway infrastructure system will continue to be improved, accommodating large-capacity vessels and implementing modern technology applications in tourism services.

Additionally, the Provincial People's Committee aims to enhance the operational efficiency of tourist boats. For sightseeing boats, the plan targets an occupancy rate of 75% on weekdays and 90% during peak days. Overnight boats are expected to achieve a 76% occupancy rate. Optimizing operational capacity will help minimize resource waste, increase revenue, and improve the quality of tourist experiences.

With abundant tourism development potential, Bai Tu Long Bay will be widely opened by the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, transforming it into a novel and distinctive exploration space for tourists. To effectively implement this, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Transport have advised the province to issue decisions announcing three routes connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, along with ten separate exploration routes within Bai Tu Long Bay. These new routes not only provide tourists with fresh, luxurious sightseeing spaces but also contribute to longer stays and increased spending. Several tourism businesses are ready to offer tours connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, creating high-end tourism products that attract international customers.

By 2025, Quang Ninh will add 100 tourist boats to Bai Tu Long Bay. The province's tourism development plan emphasizes the importance of strict management and control over the number of boats operating on the bay. This control will help increase operational efficiency, ensure traffic safety, and minimize negative impacts on the natural environment. Notably, the province will establish a Tourist Operations Center to manage and coordinate tourist boat activities effectively, creating transparency for boat owners and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The province also encourages steel-hulled boats operating on Ha Long Bay to transition to Bai Tu Long Bay, opening up new development spaces for the tourism industry. By 2025, based on existing infrastructure, the province will add 100 tourist boats to Bai Tu Long Bay and annually review and announce the number of additional boats to align with infrastructure capacity.

With the strategy of developing the fleet and expanding tourism spaces, Quang Ninh aims not only to enhance the appeal of tourism products but also to preserve the valuable natural heritage. The plan encourages investment in high-quality, environmentally friendly boats and manages the number of participating boats, helping Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay maintain sustainable attractiveness while meeting the increasingly diverse needs of domestic and international tourists.

It is anticipated that with these developments, Bai Tu Long Bay will soon become one of the premier destinations in Vietnam's natural heritage exploration journey.

- Source: Cong Thuong News -