Tourism boats travel around Hạ Long Bay. Quảng Ninh Province is planning to develop the locality to an international tourism centre with uniform infrastructure and a kaleidoscope of high-quality tourism products. — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH — The northern province of Quảng Ninh has outlined ways to increase its sea-based economy, focussing on tourism, sea services, and coastal industries that are environmentally friendly.

On the eve of the 13th National Party Congress, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Cao Tường Huy told Vietnam News Agency reporters the province, billed as a locomotive for the development of the Northern Key Economic Region, is developing into a strong sea-based economy.

With a vision of becoming an international tourism centre with uniformed infrastructure, a kaleidoscope of high-quality tourism products, and a competitive edge over rivals in the region and the world, the province has invested heavily in tourism and trade facilities, developing eco-tourism in a sustainable manner, and forming high-end tourism sites in Hạ Long, Vân Đồn, Cô Tô, Hải Hà Móng Cái, and Bái Tử Long.

The province will prioritise turning Hạ Long into a modern tourism city while developing Vân Đồn-Cô Tô into an international entertainment centre. It is also studying how to develop new tourism products such as yachting, water taxis, seaplanes, hot air ballooning, and scuba diving.

Due attention will be paid to upgrading local fishing ports and anchorages, improving fisheries logistics in Cô Tô and Vân Đồn districts, and forming three fishing centres in Cô Tô, Vân Đồn and Đầm Hà, and two seafood trading centres in Hạ Long City.

Quảng Ninh province will also develop logistics into a high added-value sector in tandem with the trends in global trade.

Regarding coastal industries and new economic sectors, Huy, who is a delegate to the Congress, underlined how Quảng Ninh gives top priority to environmentally-friendly industries such as hi-tech shipbuilding and encourages foreign investment in supporting industries.

It will capitalise on the fourth Industrial Revolution to enhance the processing of exports, helping to create added value for products and save maritime resources.

Possessing advantages in maritime resources and biodiversity, the province is interested in developing sea-based economic sectors such as maritime pharmaceuticals and seaweed, and seagrass farming and processing, Huy added. — VNS