This initiativeis part of the master plan on sustainable tourism development of theCat Ba archipelago, which is adjacent to the World Heritage Ha Long Bay,until 2025 approved by the provincial People’s Committee.
The plan aims to zone off key tourism sites to promote their respective potentials and key products.
Director of the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism DoanDuy Linh highlighted the significant role of the archipelago in thesocio-economic development of Cat Hai district and Hai Phong city.
The locality will invest in improving service quality and conductpublicity campaigns to promote the Cat Ba archipelago in domestic andinternational markets, Linh said.
Infrastructurefacilities will also be developed to connect the site with neighbouringvicinities and international destinations. Additional services will beoffered to lure tourists, including homestays, sports, cuisine tourismpackages and resorts, he added.
The Cat Baarchipelago has been considered part of the national Ha Long – Cat Batourism complex in the strategy for national tourism development through2030, according to Linh.
The site, which hasbeen recognised a National Park, a National Marine Reserve and a WorldBiosphere Reserve, features ecotourism services that distinguish it fromHa Long Bay and other sea and island tourism destinations such as BachLong Vy, Co To, Cu Lao Cham, Phu Quy, Con Dao or Phu Quoc.
It is home to some 3,800 flora and fauna species, including 81endangered ones listed in the Red Books of Vietnam and the world, suchas the “Vooc Cat Ba” primate (scientifically known as Trachypithecuspoliocephalus), “Son Duong” gazelle (chamois), “Kim Giao” tree(pedocarpus fleurgi) and “Thach sung mi Cat Ba” gecko (Goniurosauruscabaensis).
Tourists will also discover richecosystems in the tropical and flooded forests on limestone mountainslike the Kim Giao forest, Ao Ech (Frog pond) in the Cat Ba NationalPark, sea diving in Tai Keo or Ba Rang islands in the Cat Ba preservedsite.
Its traditional festivals are alsoattractive offerings, such as the Cat Ba – Cat Hai fishing villagesfestival on March 31 and the boat racing festival on the 21st of thefirst lunar month in Cat Hai town, among others.-VNA