The northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh, home to U NESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay, welcomed morethan 140,000 tourist arrivals in the first two days of 2021.

Ha Long Bay at night

Of the total, 110,000 tourists stayed overnight in the province, according to the provincial Tourism Department.

Implementing a tourism stimulus package worth VND500 billion (US$21.4 million) in 2021, Quang Ninh offered free tickets to Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Museum and Yen Tu relic site on January 1, and is discounting 50% of the ticket prices on other days.

During the New Year holiday, localities in the province organised a wide range of cultural and sport activities to serve visitors, notably the winter carnival at Tuan Chau international tourist site and a low-range fireworks performance in Ha Long city.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is forecast to continue affecting the country’s economy, Quang Ninh has set a target of serving 10 million tourists and earning VND20 trillion from tourism services this year.