Currently, there are 8 sightseeing routes on Ha Long Bay, but tourists mainly focus on sightseeing on the Ha Long 1 and Ha Long 2 bay routes because they are closer to the mainland as well as have many traditional tourism products (cue sightseeing, sea bathing, kayaking...).
These two journeys often have local overload at some points, such as: Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sop Cave, Luon Cave, Ti-Top Beach...
Meanwhile, the journey of Ha Long Bay 3 and Ha Long Bay 4 is relatively low, mainly the flow of overnight guests on Ha Long Bay.
According to the Ha Long Bay Management Board, Hang Co is the destination with the highest number of visitors on both routes, but in 2023, it will only welcome nearly 55,000 visitors, in 2024, it will welcome over 74,000 visitors.
Meanwhile, on the Ha Long 1 Bay journey, Thien Cung Cave has welcomed over 670,000 and 710,000 visitors in the past 2 years; on the Ha Long 2 Bay journey, Sung So Cave has welcomed over 1.56 million and over 1.85 million visitors in the past 2 years...
The journey of Ha Long 3 Bay and Ha Long 4 Bay has great potential and advantages, not inferior to other areas, with pristine landscapes, diverse ecosystems and very unique destinations of cultural and historical value, such as: Cua Van area, Tien Ong cave, Co cave, Vung Vieng fishing village, Cap La cave, Thay cave, Cung Do - Arrow Ecosystem Area...
However, due to the nature of the long distance from the shore and the long travel time by tourist boat (average 8-10 hours/trip), for many years, these cruises have been mainly exploited only by overnight ships in the bay, while the number of visitors visiting during the day is still very limited. Moreover, tourism products here are still monotonous, especially without beaches for tourists.
Currently, Quang Ninh is studying to increase the exploitation of Ha Long Bay 3 and Ha Long Bay 4 to both create new tourism products and attract international tourists, and reduce the burden on Ha Long Bay 1 and Ha Long Bay 2, creating a balance in preserving and sustainably promoting the values of heritage, in line with UNESCO's recommendations.
