One corner of Cat Ba island. The island will be developed into an eco-smart island and a national tourism site. (Photo: VNA)Hai Phong (VNA) – Cat Ba island, off the northern port city of HaiPhong, is set to become an eco-smart island and a national tourism site,according to the city’s tourism development plan period 2017-2020.
The city wants investment in a high-end ecotourism resort and entertainmentcomplex, which will include an aquarium, six-star hotels, a golf course system andentertainment zones.
Secretary of Cat Hai district’s Party Committee Bui Trung Nghia said that allinternal combustion engine vehicles will be phased out on the island to preventair pollution. Cable cars and electric vehicles will be used to transport tourists.
Hai Phong is working with investors on measures to provide free transportationfor locals, he added.
As part of the plan, the city has called businesses like Sun Group to invest inan cargo port, tourism wharf, cable car station and logistics site.
Southeast Asia’s longest cross-sea bridge, Tan Vu-Lach Huyen, is expected toform a complete transport network by the end of this year, facilitating travelto Cat Ba Island. The 5.4 kilometre bridge connects areas in the east of HaiPhong with Lach Huyen International Port in the island district of Cat Hai andthe Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway.
Inthe past seven months, the island welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors andearned 775.9 billion VND (34 million USD) from tourism services, up 10.3percent and 10 percent, respectively, from the same period last year.
Located east of Hai Phong and 150 kilometres from Hanoi, Cat Ba consists of 366large and small islands, beaches and limestone mountains. In 2004, Cat Baisland was recognised by the UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.-VNA
VNA
