Halong Bay Tourism Statistics 2023: Latest Data

Endowed with stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Halong Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, attracting millions of visitors each year. In recent years, the number of tourists visiting Halong Bay has increased dramatically, making it one of the most visited attractions in the country. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most updated and interesting tourism statistics for Halong Bay, exploring the trends and patterns that have emerged in recent years.

Quick growth

First and foremost, a notable thing is that Halong Bay has seen a substantial increase in the number of visitors over the past decade. In 2010, the bay welcomed approximately 1.6 million visitors, while in 2019, that number had rocketed to over 4.3 million. This represents a more than three-fold increase in the number of tourists visiting Halong Bay, making it one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Here is a table of Halong Bay visitors (international arrivals) by year:

References: https://www.quangninh.gov.vn/pinchitiet.aspx?nid=77088

Notable tourism recovery after the pandemic

Regarding the year 2022, Quang Ninh province, in general, and Halong bay, in particular, successfully recovered tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic. Statistically, the province received 5.5 million visitors in late June which was more than half the target set for this year. The total number of visitors to Halong bay in 2022 was approximately 11.6 million, reaching 122% of the set target. Among those, the destination welcomed 300.000 international visitors and over 11.2 million domestic tourist arrivals.

To achieve this result, in 2022 Quang Ninh has taken the lead in opening tourism strongly, timely, and safely. Many tourism promotion activities have been innovated in terms of methods and organized on an international scale, bringing positive results. Some of these events include the successful organization of 7 sports competitions in the 31st SEA Games; the hosting of the 9th National Sports Congress; and the organization of the 17th East Asia Tourism Forum (EATOF) combined with the 20th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of EATOF.

Halong Bay tourism expectations for 2023

Quang Ninh province and Halong Bay are expected to experience a surge in tourism in 2023. During the 5-day Tet holiday, the province welcomed around 660,000 visitors. Particularly, Ha Long Bay received around 20,000 visitors, including 10,550 international visitors.

The goal of Quang Ninh province is to attract 14 million tourist arrivals in 2023 and earn 1.2 billion USD. This year, the province also to organize the implementation of several projects, a project on tourism recovery to 2025, with a vision to 2030; a sustainable community tourism development work, and a master plan on marine tourism development on Halong bay, Bay Tu Long bay, Van Don and Co To island.

Vietnam tourism booming

This rapid surge can be attributed to the increasing popularity of Vietnam as a whole as a tourist destination. In recent years, the country has witnessed substantial growth in the number of international visitors, with many choosing to explore the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Halong Bay. In addition, the increasing availability of affordable air travel has made it easier for tourists to reach the region, further fueling its popularity.

Apart from the aforementioned reasons, the quality of local tourism infrastructure has also facilitated the fast-paced growth of Halong bay tourism. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has invested heavily in improving the infrastructure and facilities in the area, enabling tourists to explore the bay and enjoy its many attractions more easily. For example, there has been considerable investment in the development of new and improved hotels, restaurants, and other tourist amenities in the bay. Thus, travelers have more diverse and comfortable accommodation options for their stay.

Regardless of the drastic growth in tourism in Halong Bay, the area remains one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in the country. This is due in part to the local authorities' efforts to conserve the natural environment and limit the impact of tourism on the local ecosystem. For example, the number of boats allowed to operate in the bay is strictly controlled, and there are strict rules in place to protect the local wildlife and vegetation.

Conclusion

Halong Bay is one of the most popular and rapidly-growing tourist destinations in Vietnam, owning to its unique natural and cultural features. Despite the challenges posed by the increasing popularity of the region, local authorities have worked hard to preserve the natural environment and limit the impact of tourism, ensuring that Halong Bay remains its primitiveness and tranquility for generations to come.