Hai Phong news

Investment project on upgrading and expanding Road No.356 through Cat Ba Island is one of 11 key tourism-related projects of Hai Phong. After completing works, these projects will contribute to improving the quality of transport infrastructure, increasing connection among localities in Hai Phong as well as with other provinces and cities. Recently (on October 1), Mr. Do Tuan Anh - Director of Hai Phong Project Management Board of Transportation Works Construction Investment said that project on upgrading Road No.356 through Cat Hai - Cat Ba Island designed with the width of asphalt concrete road being 12m, and the width of sidewalk being 3m on each side.The City approved project in 2007, but the implementation is still in progress due to capital and site clearance problems. In 2019, the road was assigned to Hai Phong Project Management Unit of Transportation Works Construction Investment.Road No.356 goes through Cat Ba Island winding along coastal limestone mountains. "After taking over the project, we urged contractors to focus on construction. After 14 years of approving project, the road through Cat Ba Island has basically been completed with the length of 20 km and total investment of more than 1,800 billion VND. Only the last part is left from Anh Soi T-junction to Residential group No. 2, Cat town with 1.7 km long and doing asphalt concrete" said Mr. Tuan Anh.With the idea of turning cross-island traffic route into a "flower road", since the end of 2019, Cat Hai District People's Committee has invested 64 billion VND in planting bougainvillea along both sides of Road No.356 and building 3 zones of coastal landscape enjoyment.In each zone, Cat Hai District built a watch-tower with the width of 147 m2, and the height of over 11m, designed in an octagonal shape of ironwood and surrounded by green stone banisters. The road is designed with the width of road surface being 12m.Mr. Bui Cong Trong - Director of Cat Hai District Project Management Board of Construction Works said: “The District expects that the project on planting flowers and building zones of coastal landscape enjoyment will bring visitors a new and impressive experience when coming to Cat Ba. Currently, 3 zones of coastal landscape enjoyment have not been completed due to the impact of Covid-19 epidemic," Mr. Trong said and affirmed that these works will finish on October 25.Investment project on upgrading and expanding Road No.356 through Cat Ba Island is one of 11 key tourism-related projects of Hai Phong. After completing works, these projects will contribute to improving the quality of transport infrastructure, increasing connection among localities in Hai Phong as well as with other provinces and cities.

Hai Phong is considered as a locality naturally favored with many plus points in terms of tourism development. (Photo: Foreign tourists visit Viet Hai Island Commune) (Haiphong.gov.vn) – The city's tourism development is identified as one of three pillars to renew the growth model and restructure the economy. At the same time, it is also one of breakthrough solutions that need to be implemented in the 2020-2025 term of the City. In order to achieve that goal, the City has recently put forward many orientations in building mechanisms, policies and infrastructure development.* Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the city's tourismOver the past decade, Hai Phong tourism has made great progress. In a press conference on tourism, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People's Committee Mr. Le Khac Nam said that before 2012, Hai Phong always failed to achieve the target of tourism development, but from 2013 (when Hai Phong hosted the National Tourism Year of Red River Delta), the city's tourism has prospered with remarkable development steps. By 2019, Hai Phong reached 9 million tourists.Many tourism experts assessed that Hai Phong is a locality naturally favored with many plus points in terms of tourism development. Firstly, it is the advantage of the sea. The sea forms Hai Phong people with "strong-willed, outspoken character", creating a unique feature for visitors coming to the City. The sea is also the source of forming the marine economy, and the landmark of founding Hai Phong Port.According to the history introduction of Hai Phong Port, the port was founded in 1874 when French colonialists embarked on the port construction in order to turn the wharf of Cam village into a major military and commercial port, serving the colonial exploitation intentions of French colonialists. The first large-scale project was a warehouse system consisting of 6 warehouses, so it is called the wharf of 6 warehouses (Ben Sau Kho).From a small commercial port of previous century, up to this time, Hai Phong seaport has become the largest seaport center in the North, in which, the port of Tan Cang Hai Phong International Container Port Company Limited (TC-HICT) ) is the largest deep-water container port in the North of Vietnam, having capability of receiving ships with a tonnage of up to 14,000 TEUs and having direct service routes to America and Europe, significantly reducing logistics time and costs.The development of seaports promotes the development of other economic and social sectors including tourism sector. Along with the tourist attraction strategy of Hai Phong tourism sector, the relatives of about 5,000 foreign experts from many countries and territories working in Hai Phong's industrial parks are also "silent messengers" bringing the city’s images to international friends.In addition to the potential of marine economy, Hai Phong is also a locality with many valuable historical and cultural relics. According to Hai Phong Department of Tourism, the whole City currently has 470 ranked relics, including 02 special national relics (Scenic spots on Cat Ba archipelago and Relic site of Trang Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem Temple); 112 national-level relics and hundreds of city-level relics. There are many major festivals such as: Buffalo Fighting Festival (Do Son) - National Intangible Cultural Heritage; Minh The Festival (KienThuy) - National Intangible Cultural Heritage; Cat Ba Fishing Village Festival (Cat Hai); Dump Singing Festival (Thuy Nguyen); Trang Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem Temple Festival (VinhBao); Red Flamboyant Festival - a unique festival held annually has become a spiritual and cultural activity of the city's people. Many traditional craft villages have been restored, maintained and developed for tourism development. Hai Phong cuisine is famous for its seafood specialties such as: Crab rice noodle, Ha Lung cotlete, Cat Ba snout otter clam and many rustic dishes attracting tourists such as: Spicy bread, Bloating fern-shaped cake, Sea lingulida, Jellyfish salad…The City has great tourism potentials, but according to evaluation of Hai Phong Department of Tourism, the city's tourism development has still had a lot of limitations; has not been developed commensurate with its potentials and advantages; and has not yet been confirmed the position and comparative advantages in the region. The economic efficiency of tourism is low, the structure and proportion of tourism in the service sector is still small. There are no major tourist attractions, entertainment areas, resorts, and shopping malls. Tourism products have not been deeply invested and mainly based on exploiting available values, not having unique tourism products, catching up with the trends and needs of tourists; lack of attractive and highly competitive products. Most tourism businesses, especially travel businesses have small scale and low competitiveness. Propaganda, advertisement activities for tourism promotion are still very limited in terms of both funding and implementation methods. The lack of synchronous infrastructure, especially in sea and island areas, is also the city's tourism disadvantage. Quality facilities and professionally trained human resources are also limited.Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Festival - a unique festival held annually has become a cultural and spiritual activity of the city’s people. Photo: Trong Luan * Formulating tourism goals On January 24, 2019, the Party Central Committee issued Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW of the Politburo dated January 24, 2019 on the construction and development of Hai Phong City to 2030, with a vision to 2045. In this resolution, the Politburo set out specific goals for Hai Phong to strive with tourism sector, by 2025, Hai Phong City must basically complete the cause of industrialization and modernization; meet the criteria for grade I urban areas; become an industrial city with the direction of modernity; is a national key marine economy, a national center for logistics service, a national center for training, research, application and development of marine science and technology, a Northern region center for fisheries, fishery logistics and search and rescue services; Cat Ba, Do Son together with Ha Long become international tourism centers. In order to achieve these goals, in addition to taking advantage of available potentials and advantages, the City Party Committee, the City People's Council, and the City People's Committee have directed leaderships, issued resolutions for implementation.The Resolution of Hai Phong City Party Congress determined that the city's development direction is to arouse all potentials and advantages, attract resources to focus on developing breakthroughs in transport and urban infrastructure. The city's three economic pillars are identified namely: high-tech industry, seaport - logistics, tourism – trade. According to the process of industrialization and modernization of the City was set out by Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW of the Politburo, one of economic targets needs to be achieved by 2025 is to attract 20 million tourists.Recently, Hai Phong city has approved many projects and plans to promote the city's tourism development, including Plan No. 85/KH-UBND on implementing the Strategy for Vietnam Tourism Development to 2030 in Hai Phong City.This plan has set out a goal, by 2025, Hai Phong City strives to build and develop Cat Ba, Do Son and Vu Yen tourist areas to become international tourist centers as well as becomes a national major tourist center, welcoming and serving 20 million tourists per year, including 2.7 million international visitors. By 2030, Haiphong City strives to welcome and serve 35 million tourists, including 5.8 million international visitors, creating 23-25 thousand directjobs in tourism sector.Besides, the City has also approved the project on “Developing countryside tourism in association with new rural construction in Hai Phong in the period of 2021-2025 with orientation to 2030". The project focused on assessing the current potentials and conditions of countryside tourism development in Hai Phong; the viewpoints and goals of countryside tourism development of central and city governments; as well as forecasting trends, consumer demands for tourism products. From those points, the project proposed tasks and solutions to develop countryside tourism in association with new rural construction in Hai Phong.The project has studied the current potentials and conditions of tourism development in Tien Lang, Vinh Bao, An Lao, Thuy Nguyen, KienThuy and An Duong Districts from 2016 to present and proposed solutions to develop countryside tourism in Hai Phong in the period of 2021-2025, with an orientation to 2030.In addition to tourism products, Hai Phong has focused on building an infrastructure system to serve socio-economic development in general and tourism sector in particular, such as the development of Cat Bi International Airport, the construction of bridges serving inner city traffic demands and connecting other localities. In the period of 2015-2020, the City has put into use 5 5-star hotels. In the period of 2021-2025, the City will build and complete 6 other 5-star hotels./.Th.s Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy

Vietnam is planning to reopen certain tourist destinations from November this year, towards a full resumption in June 2022, according to a plan mapped out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.Vietnam is planning to reopen certain tourist destinations from November this year, towards a full resumption in June 2022. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is planning to reopen certain tourist destinations from November this year, towards a full resumption in June 2022, according to a plan mapped out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Under the draft plan that the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) announced at a recent meeting, domestic tourism would be resumed from November with travelers from localities where the COVID-19 pandemic is under control allowed to travel under strict pandemic preventive rules regarding vaccination, RT-PCR testing, “5K message,” health declaration, and health app use. As for foreign visitors, Phu Quoc will re-open on a pilot basis from November this year to March 2022, followed by other destinations meeting certain requirements like Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Hoi An (Quang Nam), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) and Da Lat (Lam Dong) from December 2021 to June 2022. The full opening to international visitors could be in June 2022. (Photo: VNA)The full opening to international visitors could be in June 2022. On October 7, the central province of Thanh Hoa proposed to the ministry that it hopes to receive foreign tourists at the end of this year. Meanwhile, northern cities and provinces like Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Ha Giang have built various tourism products in preparation of the return of domestic visitors. Localities that want to reopen tourism asked the VNAT to work with concerned agencies, including the Ministries of Health, Transport, Public Security and Foreign Affairs, to design consistent regulations for tourism when reopening./. VNA

Existing with blue sea, white sand, mountains and diverse ecosystems, Cat Ba is now more splendid and majestic with a unique resort complex bearing the brand of Flamingo.Cat Ba’s beauty is equivalent to a nature-created picture From the top must-visit national parks in the world…The American newspaper Buzzfeed has just voted Cat Ba in the top 10 national parks to visit as soon as international traffic reconnects after the pandemic. Cat Ba is introduced by foreign experts as not only featuring attractive cruises but also a biosphere reserve with diverse flora and fauna.On the tourist map of the northern provinces, the "jewel" of Cat Ba stands out with its wild and majestic beauty like a "harmony" of the forest and the sea. Possessing a series of natural advantages: beautiful terrain, pristine beaches, diverse ecosystems, mild climate, along with Ha Long Bay - a world natural heritage, Cat Ba pearl island is considered as "rare asset" on the northern tourist map.Cat Ba’s beauty is equivalent to a nature-created pictureHolding its hands around Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay (voted the most beautiful bay in the world) stretches emotionally with a clear blue coast and hundreds of small islands. Seen from above, this place looks like a natural picture with the green color of the forest in harmony with the blue of the sea. Cat Ba is also a rare archipelago of Vietnam that owns one of the two most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia: Cat Co 2 - with a long sparkling sandy beach, jade blue sea, lying along the the bay’s shore in an inviting way.… to a new Cat BaIn the general development trend, Cat Ba has made dramatic changes in recent years.Hai Phong has been implementing a series of large infrastructure projects to promote Cat Ba tourism. These projects are considered as a lever for the strong development of resort tourism here, attracting a large number of tourists to return to "Pearl Island". With the emergence of the high-class four-season resort complex Flamingo Cat Ba, from a beautiful unspoiled sea, only reaching "a lot of potential" but still remaining closed, Cat Ba gradually sheds her skin and puts on herself a new look, becoming a dynamic, attractive tourist paradise, attracting tourists with all the advantages endowed upon by nature.Cat Ba’s hectic transformationBesides, in the context of the current pandemic and pollution, many people yearn to have a healthy living space with greener, safer architecture, not too crowded, not too high-rise, low construction density for distancing. Flamingo Cat Ba is not only a temporary tourist resort, but also really becomes a dream "second home", a peaceful place in harmony with the scenery of sky - sea - green trees, located in a complex of fully integrated utility services - entertainment, yielding relaxation both physically and mentally.As a resort complex with the most beautiful location and the most spectacular scale in the North (3 high-rise towers and 1002 rooms), reflected in the delicate and unique green architecture, imbued with the brand's identity of Flamingo, has been recognized through many prestigious international awards, Flamingo Cat Ba has been present and put into operation more and more smoothly, helping to strengthen customers' trust, serving all customers' needs in the best possible way.This is considered a potential investment product combined with comprehensive infrastructure and a worthwhile utility system, affirming the style of the villa’s owner. After all, Flamingo Cat Ba is a complete wholeness, yielding a special experience of a happy home for the whole familyA new Cat Ba with the emergence of Flamingo Cat BaThe launch of Flamingo Cat Ba marked a turning point, for Cat Ba to become a new Cat Ba, completely transformed. With these positive changes, it is predicted that in the near future, Cat Ba will quickly become a leading tourist and investment attraction in the Northern region.

A conference debating solutions and plans for resuming domestic tourism activities was held on October 5 by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.A view of Trang An Landscapes Complex in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A conference debating solutions and plans for resuming domestic tourism activities was held on October 5 by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Representatives from tourism management agencies of provinces and cities nationwide focused their discussions on measures to gradually recover tourism activities in line with a safe roadmap. Accordingly, this month, provinces and cities began organising training courses on COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, processes in welcoming and serving tourists, criteria for safe tourism services, as well as preparations for incidents and risks. From November, localities that have controlled the pandemic will start welcoming back domestic holiday-makers. They are required to strictly comply will regulations on vaccination against COVID-19 and testing.Illustrative image (Photo: nhandan.vn)A pilot plan on welcoming international tourists with vaccine passports to Phu Quoc island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang will be implemented from October this year to March 2020. This scheme will prioritise key markets that have effectively controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, and had high vaccination coverage such as Northeast Asia, Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Australia. By the end of 2021, Vietnam will welcome foreign tourists back to other destinations, including Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, Hoi An ancient city in central Quang Nam province, Nha Trang in central Khanh Hoa province and Da Lat in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong./.VNA

BuzzFeed, a popular American news site with 9 billion monthly views, recently published a list of 11 national parks that travelers should visit once in their lifetime. Vietnam has a representative in the list – Cat Ba national park.Cat Ba National Park (Vietnam)Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986. It covers 17,362.96 hectares, of which 10,912.51 hectares are terrestrial ecosystems (islands) and 6,450.45 hectares are marine ecosystems.The Park is situated in the Cat Ba Archipelago which consists of 366 islands. It is about 45 km east of Hai Phong City, 150km south - east of Hanoi and borders with Ha Long Bay to the north.Cat Ba National Park is at the heart of the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and it shares the distinctive scenic beauty of the Ha Long Bay Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park is also home to diverse range of terrestrial and marine life.Cat Ba National Park is a tourist attraction to millions of domestic and overseas visitors. Coming to the Park, travelers can enjoy the beauty of the vast landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can choose to relax on isolated beaches in Lan Ha Bay, trek through primeval tropical rain forest or mangrove forest, discover many unique animal and plant species, and immerse themselves in the local culture.Best time to visit: April-May, September-NovemberGoreme National Park (Turkey)Göreme National Park is one of those incredibly unique landscapes that might make you think you've landed on another planet. It's set in a volcanic area in central Turkey, and it covers the spectacular stone pillars and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. If you're feeling brave (and not too afraid of heights) the best way to take in the landscape is by hot air balloon ride. Best time to visit: April-May, September-OctoberZhangjiajie National Park (China)Zhangjiajie National Park is located in the central-eastern area of China in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which features multiple protected areas. The national park encompasses an area of 48.15 sq km. The larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area covers 397.5 sq km. The collective Wulingyuan area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is probably the most coveted part of the area.The park is comprised of dense forests, deep ravines, deep canyons, unusual peaks, caves, and pillar-like rock formations blanketed throughout the park. The pillar rock formations are not typical limestone-eroded pillars. The pillar rock formations are comprised of quartz-sandstone and formed from physical erosion caused by the abundant rains. Best time to visit: April-May, September-NovemberVictoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe)Victoria Falls National Park is the Zimbabwe protected area of the shared natural wonder of Victoria Falls with Zambia’s protected area being Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Together, these two national parks protect the world's largest waterfall.Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognizing this feat of nature as the largest waterfall in the world. The falls reach a height of 108m and stretch across 1,708m creating the largest single sheet of falling water.Victoria Falls is actually comprised of five individual falls, of which, four of them are located on the Zimbabwe side of the border. These include Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. The fifth Eastern Cataract is located on the Zambia side of the border.Best time to visit: February-MayFiordland National Park (New Zealand)Fiordland National Park is located in the southwestern part of the South Island. Situated in the corner of the island, the national park boundaries encompass an area of 4,868 12,607sq km making it the largest national park in New Zealand.The national park is home to the largest region of pristine wilderness that has gone untouched by mankind. The forests are comprised of silver and mountain beech with a few conifers. Ferns are found throughout the dense forest floor.Wildlife highlights include the kakapo which is the earth’s only flightless parrot and the Fiordland crested penguin. Best time to visit: June-August, December-MarchPlitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It covers an area of 114.6 296.8sq km making it one of the largest national parks in Croatia. The national park is renowned for the brilliantly colored cascading lakes featuring a variety of shades of blues, greens, and grey. There is a total of 16 different lakes all connected together with the river system that flows through the park.Most of the lakes are small and collectively cover an area of about .1.9sq km. The water that leaves the lowest lake becomes the Korana River.The park is situated between ranges creating a unique climatic area that is rich in biodiversity and unique to most of Croatia. Best time to visit: June to September Tayrona National Park (Colombia)Tayrona National Park is located in the Caribbean part of northern Colombia. The national park encompasses both land and sea areas to make up the park. Wildlife in the park includes over 105 species of mammals, 15 species of amphibians, 31 species of reptiles, and at least 300 species of birds. There are over 70 species of bats with the Mantled howler, deer, and the oncilla being popular animal sightings. The montane solitary eagle and the military macaw top off the bird species.The marine part of the national park protects the country’s Caribbean coral reef. There are two other protected coral reefs, however, Tayrona is the only national park. The coral reef features 110 species of corals, 202 species of sponges, 700 species of mollusks, and over 400 species of sea and river fish. Colombia has over 340 endemic species and 44 of those are located here in Tayrona. Best time to visit: December to MarchCinque Terre National Park (Italy)Cinque Terre National Park, locally known as Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, is located along the coast of northern Italy in the province of La Spezia. As the smallest national park in Italy, it covers an area of 38.6sq km).This UNESCO World Heritage Site is unique as a national park because of the number of permanent residents numbering around 5,000. The residence is found in five towns which include Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza.The park is further unique in the way that it brings agricultural, cultural, historical, natural, and scenic significance together under the umbrella of Cinque Terre National Park. It would be fair to argue that it also represents vision and ingenuity with how these towns are intricately embedded into the rugged sides of the cliff.Each of these five towns is connected through trails that travel along the coast. These trails provide access to the varied flora that exists including Aleppo pine, corks, chestnut, samphire, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and many different succulents.Cinque Terre National Park is not known for its wildlife; however, it is present. The peregrine falcon and seagull are birds to watch for a while if you are lucky you might also see weasel, badger, fox, marten, and wild boar.Best time to visit: May-June, September-OctoberYala National Park (Sri Lanka)Yala National Park features a diverse ecosystem that includes monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, thorn forests, marine and freshwater wetlands, grasslands, marshes, and sandy beaches along the coast. Yala is comprised mostly of metamorphic rock with reddish-brown and grey soil topping most of the area.The park is located in a dry semi-arid region with rain occurring mostly during the northeast monsoon season.There are 215 species of birds calling the area home; the area is one of 70 areas classified as important bird sanctuaries for the country of Sri Lanka. There are 44 species of mammals with some of the more popular being elephant, water buffalo, sloth bear, and leopard. Yala National Park has one of the densest populations of leopards in the world. Best time to visit: February to JuneBanff National Park (Canada)As Canada’s first and oldest national park, Banff National Park covers an area of 2,564 6,641sq km, and reaches all the way to the border of Jasper National Park. The park features glorious mountain landscapes, ice fields, glaciers, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, tremendous forests, and an abundance of wildlife.Because of the latitude and altitude, Banff National Park displays three ecoregions consisting of alpine, montane, and subalpine. Lodgepole pine accounts for the predominant forest in the lower elevations with Engelmann spruce taking over in the higher elevations.The park is also home to an abundance of wildlife adding to the intrigue and splendor of the Banff area. Sought after wildlife sightings include cougar, grizzly and black bear, lynx, coyote, wolf, red fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, moose, elk, mule deer, beaver, and wolverine.Bird lovers can have hopes for seeing predator birds that include bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, osprey, and merlin. Best time to visit: June-September, December-MarchTatra National Park (Poland)The Tatra Mountains create a shared border between Poland and Slovakia. Slovakia invests in protecting the mountain area with the sister national park under the same name (Tatra National Park Slovakia).The High Tatras and the Western Tatras make up this part of the mountainous region of Poland. The Tatras are characterized by sharp-jagged peaks and stunning rock formations. Rysy is the highest summit in Poland reaching a height of 2,499m. Tatra National Park is home to endangered and endemic wildlife species. Some of the park's popular species include brown bear, gray wolf, Eurasian lynx, and the European otter. The Tatra chamois and marmot are two of the highly protected species of the park. Best time to visit: July-OctoberDo An(Photo: BuzzFeed)