VietNamNet Bridge – The Government will develop the north of the nation into a top destination for tourists by 2030, according to a recent decision of the Government.

Tourist boats in Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province. The province is among the seven localities of the Northern Key Economic Zone – Photo: Dao Loan

Deputy Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed Decision No. 1355/QD-TTg approving a master zoning plan for culture, sports and tourism development in the Northern Key Economic Zone until 2025 and with a vision towards 2030.

The northern region encompassing Hanoi, Haiphong, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Quang Ninh is expected to attract 55 million local and international travelers by 2030. It will serve as a transit point for tourists going to other parts of the country and compete with regional nations.

In the next 10 years, this region would serve around nine million international visitors, some 1.2 million higher than the international arrivals in the country last year, and around 26 million local travelers.

By 2030, the targets for international arrivals and domestic tourists will be 15 million and 40 million respectively. Tourism revenue would exceed VND200 trillion.

To translate the targets into reality, the region will develop island, pilgrimage and cultural tourism products. In addition, much money will be spent on waterways in Haiphong City and Quang Ninh Province as well as a rail link with China’s Yunnan province.

Seven tourist areas will be developed, namely the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese ethnic groups, Ba Vi-Suoi Hai, Tam Dao, Con Son-Kiep Bac, Halong-Cat Ba, Van Don and Tra Co.

Detailed zoning plans for these tourism areas will be determined when the projects are mapped out. Five national tourism areas and two tourism-urban areas, Halong and Do Son, will be developed.