The Viet Nam Tourism Association (VTA) has asked Quang Ninh Province authorities not to increase the fees for boat services at Ha Long Bay. In a letter sent to the provincial authorities, Nguyen Huu Tho, chairman of the association, said transport fees at Ha Long Bay were already too high and not commensurate with the quality of services available.

The number of visitors to the bay might fall if the province does not look for ways to reduce the fees and improve the quality of services soon, he warned.

The Quang Ninh Department of Finance announced a nearly 100 per cent increase in transport and accommodation costs with effect from September 1.

This is not the first time the association has opposed the province's fee hikes for Ha Long Bay. Last December the HCM City Tourism Association and VTA expressed a similar reaction to Quang Ninh's plan to increase entrance fees shortly after the bay was recognised as one of the seven new wonders of the world by the New Open World organisation.-VNS