Halong City is located in the northern economic development triangle constituted by Hanoi, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. The city has a close connection with economic, scientific, social and cultural activities of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, Hai Phong City, and the Red River Delta provinces. It also has economic relations with vast international markets through Mong Cai Border Gate Economic Zone, with close exchange between Vietnam and China. Ha Long also can set up maritime and airway relations with Southeast Asian and East Asian countries, and the world as a whole. This is a special advantage of Ha Long City. Its ideal location creates a lot of advantages to develop the economy in general, especially tourism.
Halong Bay is a unique natural wonder in the world. This landscape of Vietnam has twice been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. That asserts exceptional and global values for the benefit of all of humanity. Ha Long Bay has an area of 1,553 km2 and 1,969 islands, of which 889 have been named. The tectonic age ranges from 250 million to 280 million years. The bay is absolutely protected and this area covers 434 km2 with 775 islands, where there are many beautiful islands like Ti Top, Tuan Chau, Lu Huong, Dau Nguoi, La Vong and Dua. Particularly, Trong Mai Island, is one of the most brilliant masterpieces of nature. The most beautiful caves are Dau Go, Trinh Nu, Sung Sot, Bo Nau, Thien Cung, Cam Cung and Me Cung. This beautiful landscape lies in Ha Long Bay, a part of Ha Long City.
Transport and infrastructure systems in Ha Long City have been upgraded by the Government and Quang Ninh province to facilitate tourists coming to the city. Ha Long has many modern resorts, hotels and restaurants like Tuan Chau Resort, Hoang Gia (Royal) Resort, Sai Gon - Ha Long Hotel, Novotel Hotel Ha Long Dream Hotel, Postal Hotel, Ha Long Pearl Hotel, Ha Long Plaza Hotel, Van Hai Hotel, and Bach Dang Hotel. Together with a 1-4 star hotel system, tourist ships are capable of serving tens of thousands of tourists a day. The number of tourists increases 24.5 percent annually. In 2010, the number of tourist arrivals to the city was estimated to reach 3 million, an increase of 1.7 times over 2005, including more than 1.7 million international passengers. Markets and commercial zones have been upgraded and constructed to serve shopping demand of tourists.
Together with upgrading roads, bus stations, piers, to further facilitate tourists to reach the city by both land and sea, Ha Long has expanded its tourist space to bring tourists to all destinations in Ha Long Bay and other places of interest. It also expanded the space to all directions. Particularly, the south-eastern direction is expanded to Ha Long Bay, with Dau Be, Hang Trai and Cong Do resorts added. The north-eastern direction is linked to Bai Tu Long and Van Don tourist sites. The south-western direction is added Yen Lap Lake area. Travel companies in the city can organise short-day and long-day trips for tourists in Ha Long City and surrounding districts to the most famous tourist sites in Asia and Southeast Asia. Those achievements have contributed to tourism development, served the need to improve the lives of people and sped up economic growth, turning tourism into a sustainable spearhead economic sector.
Clearly defining tourism advantages, the Political Report of the Executive Committee of the 23rd Ha Long City Party Congress (2010 - 2015 term) underlines the need to introduce Ha Long Bay to the world, expand international development cooperation and promote investment attraction.
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