The northern province of Quang Ninh will increase ticket prices for sightseeing in Ha Long and Bai Tu Long bays from January 1, 2014.

For Ha Long Bay, from 6.30am to 6.30pm, tours will cost VND150,000 (US$7) per person. For each site in the bay, entry tickets will range from VND30,000 to VND50,000 a person.

For overnight stays, the charge will be VND200,000 for the first night, VND350,000 for two nights and VND400,000 for three nights.

For the Bai Tu Long Bay, the charges will be VND100,000 per person for day tours. For overnight stays, the charges will be VND150,000, VND300,000 and VND350,000 for one, two and three-night stays respectively.

Entry will be free for those who have contributed to the country's independence struggle and children aged under seven.

A fifty per cent discount will apply to children aged seven to 15, people over 60, poor people and people with disabilities.

The province estimates sightseeing ticket revenues of VND200 billion this year from Ha Long Bay, and hopes for three times as much. — VNS