According to information from the Department of Transport of Quang Ninh, this department is being assigned by the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province to preside over the development and consultation of the Project to develop and improve the quality of the tourist fleet operating in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay by 2030.
According to the draft Project, to develop tourism in Bai Tu Long Bay, stretching from Cam Pha City to Van Don, by 2025, based on the existing inland waterway infrastructure, it is necessary to add 100 tourist boats (with overnight boats, develop the number appropriate to the capacity of the invested overnight anchorage area).
To have this number of ships, in addition to building new ones, steel-hulled tourist ships (built according to the criteria of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province) operating in Ha Long Bay are encouraged to register and transfer their operations to Bai Tu Long Bay.
Period from 2026 to 2030: Annually review and announce the number of additional tourist ships to ensure that the total number of ships does not exceed the tourist capacity announced by the competent authority and is consistent with the waterway transport infrastructure. During the period when the tourist capacity has not been announced, the annual addition of tourist ships must not exceed the reception capacity of ports, wharves, anchorages, inland waterways, and tourist itineraries.
Previously, to exploit Bai Tu Long Bay, there were two opinions on developing the fleet, one of which suggested bringing some ships operating in Ha Long Bay, but another suggested building a completely new fleet of ships of a higher class than the fleet in Ha Long Bay.
For the Ha Long Bay World Heritage area, according to the draft Project, the number of 520 tourist boats (including: operating boats, boats temporarily stopped for repair, maintenance and waiting for replacement) will be temporarily maintained and a number of exploration boats will be piloted to operate in separate areas or separate routes.
Phase to 2025: Maintain a total of 10 restaurant ships; pilot additional 20 Discovery Cruises. Maximum number of accommodation ships is 178 ships (according to current reception capacity of announced accommodation locations).
Phase 2026 to 2030: Add 10 Discovery Cruises.
Annually review and announce the number of additional tourist ships to ensure that the total number of ships does not exceed the tourist capacity announced by the competent authority and is consistent with the waterway traffic infrastructure (ports, wharves, anchorages, inland waterways, tourist itineraries). During the period when the tourist capacity has not been announced, the annual addition of tourist ships must not exceed 520 ships (excluding discovery yachts).
