Refreshing sightseeing experiences, expanding the journey to Bai Tu Long, developing inter-regional tours covering Ha Long - Bai Tu Long - Van Don - Yen Tu, and accelerating the application of digital technology are becoming prominent directions for Ha Long Bay heritage tourism to pursue the goal of “one journey - multiple experiences,” thereby enhancing the appeal and uniqueness of heritage tourism products.
For a long time, mentioning sightseeing in Ha Long Bay has meant the five familiar, highly popular routes VHL1-VHL5, associated with famous sites such as Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island… For this reason, continuously refreshing heritage tourism products has always been a priority for the provincial tourism sector and the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board (the Board). According to Associate Professor and Doctor Pham Hong Long (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), continuing to develop new journeys and products will help Ha Long Bay diversify experiences, extend visitors’ stays and increase the value of each trip.
Alongside expanding the journeys, the organization of tourism experiences on the bay is also gradually changing toward “one journey - multiple experiences”. The Heritage Management Board continues to finalize the Sustainable Tourism Development Plan to 2035, with a vision to 2050; at the same time, it is promoting route infrastructure to gradually introduce sightseeing journeys in Bai Tu Long National Park, connect them with Lan Ha Bay, and link the Ha Long - Bai Tu Long - Van Don tourism space, extending farther to Yen Tu. This direction opens up the possibility of creating longer tours, contributing to increased visitor spending and greater experiential value.
Within this new experience structure, the VHL3 and VHL4 journeys, together with the Bai Tu Long tourism space, have been identified as highlights that require continued renewal and quality improvement. In 2025, the Board coordinated with 8 tour operators to conduct field surveys and promote tourism at VHL3 and VHL4; it also coordinated the launch of sightseeing routes on Bai Tu Long Bay and in Bai Tu Long National Park. In addition, Ha Long Bay welcomed 3 groups of high-end visitors, including billionaires and millionaires, who stayed overnight on the bay. These activities show that Ha Long Bay is gradually being more clearly positioned in the high-quality experience segment, where majestic natural value goes hand in hand with refined, private and distinctive services.
Alongside product diversification, digital technology is also helping create a new layer of experiences for visitors. After deploying a visitor identification and digital payment system at the end of 2025, in 2026 the province and the Board will continue to complete the sightseeing ticket sales and control system, build an intelligent surveillance camera system, and work toward an IOC Operations Center for Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long. These solutions make it more convenient for visitors to book tickets and reduce the time needed for procedures, while also helping management agencies monitor visitor flows, control carrying capacity and protect the heritage site more effectively.
Notably, expanding experiences on Ha Long Bay always goes hand in hand with heritage conservation requirements. In 2025, the Board organized hundreds of environmental monitoring and patrol operations, handled violations and collected waste. In 2026, the Board will continue to perform environmental management effectively, control waste sources, provide disaster warnings, conduct search and rescue operations, and organize tourism activities according to the heritage site’s carrying capacity, ensuring sustainable tourism development.
According to statistics, in 2025 Ha Long Bay welcomed approximately 3.5 million visitors, including more than 2 million international visitors, and collected approximately 1,000 billion VND in sightseeing fees, exceeding the provincial target. As tourism demand increasingly focuses on in-depth, green and high-quality experiences, expanding journeys and refreshing experiences, while combining cruise, ecological and heritage cultural products, is considered an appropriate direction for increasing the value of each visitor.
