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| Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam’s world’s natural heritage. Sightseeing services on five routes along the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long bays in the northern province of Quang Ninh will double from April 1. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung |
Viet Nam News
QUANG NINH — Fees for sightseeing services on five routes along the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long bays in the northern province of Quang Ninh will double from April 1.
The services on these routes will range from VND200,000 to VND250,000 (US$9-11), plus each spot will charge a sightseeing fee ranging from VND30,000 to VND50,000 ($1-2).
Visitors who wish to stay overnight on the bay will also have to pay double the amount, ranging from VND500,000 to VND750,000 ($22-33); the earlier rate was from VND200,000 to VND400,000 ($9-18).
Local authorities said that the province has not actually hiked the rates, but it has put in place a new method for calculating fees, which is as per route instead of spots like previously.
This means that tourists will end up paying for visiting spots that are not on their list and for hiring boats because of the increase in the duration of the sightseeing tour and the use of more fuel.
The kayak service will also be halted from early next month because of management issues and violations in preserving Ha Long Bay, a world heritage spot.
Quang Ninh welcomed around 8.3 million visitors in 2016, up 7 per cent from the previous year. Of the total tourists, 3.5 million were foreigners, according to the province’s television station. — VNS
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