An overview of Quang Ninh province

Geographical location

Quang Ninh is a mountainous and coastal province situated in the north-east of Vietnam. It shares the border with China in the north, with the Gulf of Tonkin in the east, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Hai Duong in the west and Hai Phong in the south. The province comprises a large number of islands which accounts for two-thirds of Vietnam's islands. 1,030 islands among these have been given names and more than 1000 others haven't. Quang Ninh has the total natural area of 8,239.243 square kilometers in which the inland area takes up 5,938 square kilometers, the islands, bay and sea takes up 2,448.853 square kilometers.

Topography

As a mountainous province, Quang Ninh’s area is mainly made up of mountains and hills which account for more than 80%. More than 2,000 islands on the sea are also considered mountains. Its topography can be divided into two main parts. The mountainous region is subdivided into two smaller parts, the eastern mountainous region and the western mountainous region. There are two high mountain peak namely Yen Tu in Uong Bi, 1,068 meters and Am Vap in Hoanh Bo, 1,094 meters. The midland and coastal lowland region have favorable conditions for the development of agriculture and transportation, so most of its population gathers there. Quang Ninh’s island and sea region possesses a unique topography with more than 2000 islands of various sizes stretching along the coastline of more than 250 kilometers. There are very big islands like Cai Bau, Ban Sen, and very small ones which are just like rock-works. Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are home to thousands of limestone islands with interesting caves inside. Quang Ninh has two districts which are totally islands, Co To and Van Don. Quang Ninh also has many beautiful beaches like Tra Co, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, etc, which is very suitable for tourism. 

Climate

Quang Ninh has a tropical monsoon type of climate which is typical of Northern provinces. Summer is hot, humid with lots of rain and south-eastern wind. Winter is cold, dry with little rain and northeastern wind. Due to the large area and the topographical diversification, each region has specific climate feature. For examples, the mountainous region of Hoanh Bo, Ba Che often suffer from harsh weather with about 20 days of hoar frost and little annual rainfall. However, the mountainous region of Binh Lieu receives much rainfall.

Flora and Fauna system

The topographical diversification and edaphic climate have given Quang Ninh a multiple system of floral and fauna.

Besides various species of cattle, there are many species of wild animals which still exist today like monkey, deer, pangolin, gecko, turtle, etc. More over, with a vast sea territory, Quang Ninh also comprises many species of fishes, shrimps, crabs, and shellfishes. Coming to Quang Ninh, tourists will have chance to enjoy delicious seafood which have become its specialties. The vast fishing ground and the diversification in maritime products have brought about significant natural resource, a strong point of Quang Ninh.

Quang Ninh’s land is not so suitable for the cultivation of agricultural products but very favorable for developing fruit trees, wood trees and industrial crops. Three-fourths of the area is forest and few-forest. It would become the strength and a huge benefit if reasonable measures are applied to fully exploit such potential.

Generally, Quang Ninh possesses multiform natural conditions. They are great potential for the province to develop a comprehensive economy from industrial, agriculture, fishery, to commercial and services. Especially, Quang Ninh has a great tourism potential with many beauty spots from beaches, islands, caves to historical and religious sites. The province has become a center, a priority in the economic development strategy of the country.

Tourism potential

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Quang Ninh is considered the land of tourism with outstanding natural beauty consisted of many beauty spots, among which Ha Long Bay is a must-visit one. This site has been recognized as the World natural heritage by UNESCO for its geologic and geomorphic values. The tourism potential of the province is reflected through lots of tourist attractions:

Ha Long Bay is a well-known tourist site with a large number of islands dotted with natural caves and a diversified flora system. The beautiful landscape with many beaches, caves, islands have attracted lots of domestic as well as foreign tourists. Along with Cat Ba Island, Ha Long has become a national tourism priority area, a motivation to the development of northern tourist site.

Beautiful beaches like Tra Co, Bai Chay, Tuan Chau Island have been improved and upgraded with various forms of services to satisfy the need of tourists.

Besides, there are nearly 500 historical, cultural, artistic relics which are closely related to many traditional festivals such as national relics of Yen Tu Pagoda, Cua Ong Temple, Bach Dang historical vestige, etc. These relics have attracted a lot of visitors through many form of tourism, especially in festival days.