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The recognition of the Cat Ba archipelago and Ha Long Bay as a trans-provincial world natural heritage site, the first of its kind in Vietnam, has opened up major opportunities for Cat Ba tourism to develop comprehensively at a new level.
Rising tourist arrivals
Cat Hai special zone has chosen eco-tourism as its main development model, focusing on preserving and promoting the unique values of the Cat Ba archipelago while sustainably tapping into its natural advantages of forests, mountains, seas, and islands.
The breathtaking natural beauty of Cat Ba has been featured on leading global TV channels such as CNN, Discovery, and TLC. Cat Ba has also appeared on in-flight screens of the national carrier, LED screens at international airports, social media platforms, international cultural events, and heritage exhibitions in countries including Japan, South Korea, the US, and several European nations. These efforts have created strong visibility and attracted international visitors.
In 2024, Cat Ba welcomed nearly 3.7 million tourists, up more than 20% from 2023. This was also the first year Cat Ba received over 1 million international visitors. In 2025, the archipelago continues to maintain its appeal, attracting nearly 3 million visitors in the first seven months alone. This gives Cat Hai confidence to surpass its target of 4 million visitors in 2025, aiming for 6 million annual visitors during the 2025 – 2030 period.
At the same time, the world natural heritage title has given Cat Hai a strong boost in drawing in “billion-dollar” tourism projects. A highlight is the Cat Ba Central Bay tourism and commercial services complex, invested in by Phu Quoc Civil Construction Co., Ltd. with total capital exceeding 12.5 trillion VND. The project, which began operation in May 2025, contributes to enhancing the quality of tourism products and competitiveness for Cat Ba.
Green transition for sustainable tourism
To maximize the value of the world natural heritage and develop the Cat Ba archipelago into an international tourism hub, Cat Hai has prioritized a green transition, building an eco-friendly environment and pursuing green growth.
The zone has actively implemented information technology applications, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence to support tourism development. Domestic and overseas tourism promotion activities continue to be renewed in both content and approach.
Efforts are also being made to raise public awareness, protect tourism resources, and preserve the environment. Human resources development is another priority, focusing on professional expertise, foreign language skills, and professional ethics for tourism workers.
According to Phan Viet Dien, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Cat Hai special zone, in the coming time, Cat Hai will strengthen coordination with Do Son and Ha Long in building an international-class coastal tourism triangle, effectively tapping into the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago world heritage site.
Investors will be urged to speed up projects to increase accommodation capacity and develop new tourism products to attract visitors. Diverse tourism models will be encouraged, with special attention to community-based eco-tourism combined with high-end homestays in Cat Ba’s rural areas, creating satellite destinations that complement Cat Ba’s tourism center.
The Cat Ba national tourism site will enhance capacity and expand competitive tourism activities to serve high-spending domestic and international travelers. Priority will also be given to accelerating infrastructure projects related to transportation, freshwater supply, and waste and wastewater treatment to ensure synchronized technical infrastructure for residents and tourism development.
NGUYEN DUONG
