Ha Long Bay to open for domestic tourists in November

A resort in Yen Tu, Quang Ninh province.

The provincial authorities are working on procedures to welcome visitors from other localities in a safe way, to serve the goal of having 2 million visitors in the fourth quarter of 2021.

On October 4, the local government held an online meeting to discuss the process of reopening local tourist sites for domestic tourists and regulations on tourist behavior.

Quang Ninh Chairman Nguyen Tuong Van said tourism development needs to be based on the principle of safety, so criteria for making tourist reception procedures and rules on traveller behaviours must be clarified.

The province has permitted local tourist sites to welcome visitors from within the province from October. It is planning to re-open to those from other localities next month.

The provincial Department of Tourism has drafted guidelines on procedures for the trial reception of visitors in the new normal, including requirements related to those from within Quang Ninh and from other localities.

According to these draft guidelines, tourism businesses and service suppliers must guarantee safety from COVID-19 by meeting safety requirements for passenger transportation, vehicles, tours, and destinations. 

Quang Ninh plans to firstly open the Tuan Chau international tourist and entertainment site and Yen Tu scenic relic site for tourists from other provinces and cities, with strict measures on Covid-19 prevention for both tourists and local residents. 

The departments of health, transport, and tourism are assigned to advise it about the conditions necessary for ensuring COVID-19 safety and form safe tours and tourist sites when welcoming tourists from elsewhere back. 

Quang Ninh has completed injecting all eligible people with the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and the administration of the second doses is expected to finish in October.

At present, people coming to Quang Ninh are still required to be fully vaccinated and have a negative RT-PCR test result for the coronavirus within 72 hours.

Since October 1, some provinces have resumed tourist activities by allowing tourist sites to serve at least local residents. It is expected that from late October or early November, many provinces will allow entry of tourists from other localities.

Pham Cong