Brian Jeffrey
During a busy weekend at Ha Long International Passenger Port in Quang Ninh province, numerous tourists flocked to rent boats and explore the renowned Ha Long Bay.
The majority preferred to tour Ha Long Bay via the traditional routes, each with different fees and durations (route 1 and route 2 at 250,000 VND/person, route 3 at 200,000 VND/person, excluding boat rental).
The proposal by Quang Ninh authorities introduces three new experience-based routes with revised fees. The 600,000 VND per person fee for a half-day Ha Long Bay visit has sparked significant interest from both locals and tourists.
Hoang Tien Toi, a 25-year-old tourist from Lang Son province, welcomed the new routes and deemed the 600,000 VND fee for half-day access to Ha Long Bay as reasonable. Toi stated, “For 600,000 VND, covering all spots in Ha Long Bay, it’s a good deal.”
Le Hoang Hiep, a 52-year-old tourist from Hanoi, cautioned that the new routes and fees could be confusing if not clearly communicated, emphasizing the need for distinct routes. Hiep added, “At 600,000 VND per person, appropriate time allocation is crucial as half a day may be insufficient to explore all Ha Long Bay spots.”
Tour guide N.T.Đ. in Ha Long City pointed out that tourists are familiar with the convenience and time efficiency of the traditional routes.
Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, clarified that the proposal for new experience-based routes fees does not constitute a hike in current fees. Cuong explained, “We are introducing three new experience-based routes with suggested fees.”
The board is soliciting feedback on the proposed fees for new routes and itineraries to present to the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, then the Provincial People’s Council for approval.
“The goal is to diversify tourism products to meet the increasing demands of visitors to Ha Long Bay,” Cuong emphasized.
The Ha Long Bay Management Board, appointed by the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, is tasked with suggesting fees for three new routes: a luxury yacht exploration route, a coastal sightseeing and dining route, and a fixed route from Tuan Chau to Gia Luan (Cat Ba).
The coastal sightseeing and dining route is proposed at 80,000 to 100,000 VND per person, while the fixed route from Tuan Chau to Gia Luan (Cat Ba) suggests fees of 120,000 or 150,000 VND per person per trip.
The half-day tour proposal (from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM) to cover all five routes proposes a fee of 600,000 VND per adult and 480,000 VND per child, with exemptions for children under 7 and persons with disabilities.
