The meeting held by Quang Ninh's authorities on March 1 to promote flights to Van Don International Airport (Photo: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – Northern Quang Ninh province is offering incentives to promote the opening of flights to Van Don International Airport, the first airport to be invested by a private business in Vietnam.
Representatives of about 60 airlines, including those from Southeast Asian and Northeast Asian countries, and travel companies attended a meeting on March 1 to seek chances to open air routes to Van Don and tours of Quang Ninh.
Van Don International Airport was invested with 7.7 trillion VND (over 331.7 million USD) by the Vietnamese private firm Sun Group under the build-operate-transfer form. It is able to handle all the most modern aircraft in the world, along with 2.5 million passengers and 10,000 tonnes of cargo per year in the first phase.
It was officially put into use on December 30 last year with an air route linking with Ho Chi Minh City. Three domestic airlines, namely Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways, have operated flights on this route.
Some foreign airlines have conducted market surveys to launch flights to Quang Ninh in 2019, according to Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Vo Huy Cuong.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long called on airlines and travel companies to create more products and services to attract visitors to Quang Ninh.
To draw tourists to the province via Van Don airport, Quang Ninh is offering incentives to airlines, such as support in terms of advertising, bus services and offices.
He added that passengers on flights to Van Don can visit the complex of Yen Tu monuments and landscapes, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay free of charge within 30 days since their arrival at this airport.
Chairman of the Sun Group’s Board of Directors Dang Minh Truong said Quang Ninh has welcomed over 20,000 visitors via Van Don International Airport since the facility was opened two months ago.
His business is also offering the passengers a discount of 20 – 50 percent on tickets to its Sun World Halong Complex throughout this year.
The province is described as a “miniature Vietnam” as it gathers all typical features of the country in terms of terrace, natural resources and landscapes.
It shares both land and sea border with China and is an important trading gateway of Vietnam with China and ASEAN countries.
Along with Ha Long Bay - which was twice recognised by UNESCO as world natural heritage site in 1994 and 2000, Quang Ninh is home many impressive landscapes such as Bai Tu Long Bay, Tuan Chau peninsula, Quan Lan, Co To islands, Yen Tu mountain and Tra Co beach.
Visitors can also tour the fishing village on Minh Chau Island or Cai Lang – the oldest village there.
Thong Thien Cave, Phat Co Island, and Ban Sen Island are among other destinations tourists should have a look at. Sailing to explore submerged forests or swimming in the clear water off Uyen Uong beach are recommended experiences.
Additionally, vacationers can visit Cua Ong Temple and Van Hoa port or walk through forests to experience the hospitality of ethnic Tay, Red Dao and San Diu people in their villages across Bai Tu Long Bay.
The Van Don International Airport was put into operation in December 2018. It is expected to help Quang Ninh achieve its target of welcoming 15-16 million tourists, including 7 million foreigners, by 2020 and 30 million arrivals, including 15 million foreigners, by 2030.
Therefore, local authorities have been offering many incentives to promote the launch of flights to the airport, the first of its kind invested by a private business in Vietnam.
Passengers on flights to Van Don can visit a number of local attractions including the complex of Yen Tu monuments and landscapes, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay free of charge within 30 days since their arrival at this airport.
