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Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ha Long Bay”s majestic landscapes, Quang Ninh People’s Committee and Quang Ninh Tourism Department hosted a special Welcome Ceremony for the Clipper Race Crew.

The event showcased the rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality that the region is renowned for. Attendees were treated to traditional performances, culinary delights, and in an experience that captured the essence of Ha Long Bay. 

The ceremony was hosted by Madam Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh People’s Committee, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh People’s Committee, and Ms Nguyễn Thuỳ Yên, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Tourism Department, who led the festivities, extending warm greetings to Clipper Race officials, skippers, and crew.

The ceremony took place against the stunning Islands of Ha Long Bay in the background, and as the morning begun, all eyes turned to the stage where the skippers were honoured with floral tributes and a Champagne opening.

As part of the celebrations the crew were treated to traditional Dragon dancers, and drummers.

Madam Hanh expressed her delight in hosting The Clipper Race in Ha Long Bay, underscoring the significance of the race in promoting international cooperation and showcasing the natural splendour of Vietnam’s coastal region, followed by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Son emphasising the importance of maritime tourism in Quang Ninh’s economic development and gratitude to the Clipper Race organisers for working with Ha Long Bay as a Host Port.

Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam Skipper Josh Stickland said: “It is such an honour to be here and receive such a warm welcome from Ha Long Bay. I have been waiting a long time to get here, and the welcome from the people has been more than I imagined. The hospitality they have shown us all is really heart warming.

“It is a great to be able to experience the cultural dragon dancing, and sample the local food and beer”.

The ceremony finished in a celebration where the eleven teams were welcomed on stage to receive a flower garland, as a mark of welcome from the Host Port Partners.

The crew continued to bask in the afterglow of this welcoming event, with celebratory beers, and local delights.

As part of the Clipper Race’s stopover in Ha Long Bay, the Quang Ninh Online News offered Race Crew the chance to visit the pride of Ha Long Bay’s tourist hotspots on a walking tour.

Best known for the beautiful bay, rock formations and emerald-green sea that the fleet is currently berthed in, the tour was a chance for proud locals to share some of the hidden gems of Ha Long that are easily reachable on foot.

The day began at the Quang Ninh Museum, an impressive architectural structure that shares the rich heritage of the province. Guided through the museum”s halls, artifacts and exhibits told stories of ancient civilizations, maritime trade routes, and the cultural tapestry that defined the region. From the towering limestone rock formations of Ha Long Bay to the bustling markets of Ha Long City, every corner of Quang Ninh has a tale to tell.

Race Crew Chris Carroll from Qingdao said: “It has been enlightening to learn about the many different traditions and cultures. It is a fascinating place, and I am really pleased I have learnt more about it while here.”

Continuing the tour to near Bai Tho Mountain, the crew made a stop at the Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple, a sacred site nestled at the mountain’s foothills. The temple was dedicated to honouring Hung Vu Vuong Tran Quoc Nghien, renowned as one of the province’s most talented generals. He was the son of Hung Doo Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, one of Vietnam’s revered heroes, listed among the 14 typical heroes of the nation.

Throughout the tranquil grounds of the temple, Race Crew enjoyed the ornate carvings and vibrant colours synonymous with Vietnam’s religious architecture.

The last part of the tour was a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Ha Long Bay is renowned for its unique gastronomy, and Race Crew got to taste local delicacies such as squid cakes and traditional dumplings.

Race Crew Ciska Kruger from Zhuhai said: “The food was a wonderful experience. We tried the local delicacy of squid ball and dumplings, along with a lovely broth. It is great tobe given the opportunity to do this.”

Race Crew Han Van Roosmalen from Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam said:“I really liked this trip. Especially the very well thought out museum tour followed by the walking tour from the boulevard to the temples. The guides were very helpful and knowledgeable, having visited Ha Long Bay back in 1999 it was fascinating to see how much it has changed.”

Skippers had a chance of immersing themselves in the traditions of the Dao people in Ky Thuong commune in the suburbs of Ha Long city on February 26.

Cameroon McCracken from the  team of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam and Ella Hebron from the team of Washington DC have gained much rewarding experience after immersing themselves in the traditions of Dao people in the mountainous area of Ha Long city.

During the trip, they tasted traditional Vietnamese taste to tried dressmaking by hand. The program was held by Am Vap Farm Company.

By Minh Ha – Do Phuong

During the five-day holiday of Lunar New Year (Tet), Quang Ninh greeted more than 800,000 tourist arrivals to famous attractions, of which the number of international tourist arrivals reached 109,000.

Some spiritual attractions seeing the overwhelm influx of tourists include the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscapes and Ba Vang pagoda in Uong Bi city (over 62,000 tourist arrivals), Cam Pha city’s Cua Ong temple (over 76,000 tourist arrivals), Tran Dynasty’s historical relic site (nearly 57,500 tourist arrivals), etc.

Ha Long Bay welcomed over 46,000 tourist arrivals, up 50% year-on-year, with foreign tourists accounting for over 36,000.

It is estimated that the number of tourist arrivals to Quang Ninh will reach 2 million.

The occupancy rates at hotels and resorts in the province reached 30-40 per cent.

With mainland and sea surface coverage of 12,000 sq.km and a 1.2 million population, Quang Ninh has long been known as one of the top tourism centres in Vietnam with numerous attractive destinations and diverse tourism products thanks to the province’s efforts to boost tourism’ growth.

According to the province’s plan on tourism recovery and sustainable development to 2025, with orientations to 2030, Quang Ninh aims to make its tourism a spearhead and sustainable economic sector by 2030, attracting at least 25.5-26 million visitors, including about 9 million foreigners.  

In 2023, Quang Ninh welcomed 15.5 million tourist arrivals, including two million foreigners, and earn more than VND33 trillion from tourism.  

The province  has taken a range of measures to boost its tourism market, with a focus on projects for restoring the tourism industry, developing sustainable community tourism development and implementing a master plan for marine tourism management in Ha Long Bay, Van Don and Co To. 

In order to attract both domestic and foreign tourists, it has stepped up tourism promotion activities, created new tourism products and services and those with regional linkage, develop a safe tourism programme, and select typical and safe tourism products to introduce to travel and tourism businesses. 

In 2024, Quang Ninh looks to serve 17 million tourists, including 3 million foreigners.

By QMG Reporters 

By Minh Duc