Changing the face of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
by VietnamNetBridge/Sail-World Cruising on 17 Feb 2008
The breath-takingly beautiful Ha Long Bay - UNESCO World Heritage Site. SaigonTourist
Sailors en route Hong Kong-Singapore or just cruising Asian waters should stop to take a look at the spectacularly beautiful Ha Long Bay area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but by the sound of plans in the making by Vietnam, they should do so as soon as possible!
The Vietnam Import-Export and Construction Corporation (Vinaconex) has started a big new project at the Cai Gia – Cat Ba – Hai Phong Tourism and Urban Area, developing the infrastructure for Tung Thu artificial beach.
Tran Ngoc Quang, Director of the Management Board, said the project covers an area of 171 ha within Ha Long Bay. It is estimated to cost $600mil and will take 8-10 years to complete. Speaking about Vinaconex’s ambitious plan, Mr. Quang said this will become the new tourism centre for northern Vietnam, and give Cat Ba Island both ‘regional and global recognition and fame’.
Mr. Quang said he has “every reason to believe Cat Ba will become a hub of Vietnam’s tourism activities. Cat Ba has beautiful beaches and rare forests, which are recognized as a biosphere reserve. Located within the Ha Long Bay area, Cat Ba can be connected to other islands and tourism destinations to become a tourism community.”
Hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of sand will be brought in to create three new bathing beaches. An artificial river will be created, linking the sea and the Cat Ba National Forest. Additionally, a yacht station will also be built to turn Cat Ba into a destination for yachts travelling from Hong Kong to Singapore.
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