Hạ Long Bay. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — During the first six months of 2024, Hạ Long bay, a UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage Site, has seen a bustling influx of foreign visitors that outnumbers domestic holiday-makers.

According to the Hạ Long Bay Management Board, out of the nearly 1.5 million visitors to the bay in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, there were nearly 1 million foreigners.

With the ticket revenue to June 17 nearing VNĐ448 billion (US$17.6 million), the revenues the site earned this year is expected to exceed the target of VNĐ800 billion.

Foreign visitors are charmed by several picturesque destinations in Hạ Long bay such as Thiên Cung cave, Gà Chọi island, Đầu Gỗ cave, Ti Tốp island, Luồn cave, and Ba Hang cave.

Foreign visitors were mainly from the Republic of Korea (RoK), India, and European and American countries. Notably, visitors from the RoK, India, and Malaysia have increased dramatically.

In 2023, Hạ Long Bay welcomed about 2.6 million visitors, of which the number of international and domestic visitors was equal. Revenue from tourism activities reached about VNĐ800 billion .

As the locality has become more attractive to tourists, especially foreign, ticket sales to visit Hạ Long bay is expected to return to the threshold of VNĐ1 trillion in 2024.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue from ticket sales to visit Hạ Long Bay always surpassed VNĐ1.2 trillion. — VNS