Sea area allocation key to Bai Tu Long tourism growth

Amid the growing trend toward a green economy and experiential tourism, many cooperatives in Quang Ninh province have proactively innovated their operational models. By integrating production with the utilization of local cultural and ecological assets, they are creating new livelihood opportunities for the community. The Bai Tu Long Fishing Village Cooperative (in the Van Don Special Economic Zone) serves as a prime example, demonstrating a viable path forward by linking the marine economy with community-based tourism. - Bai Tu Long tours

Established in 2023 with nine members, the Bai Tu Long Fishing Village Cooperative focuses primarily on aquaculture in the Cong Lao Vong area, located approximately 5 nautical miles from the mainland. This area is home to about 10 households that sustain their livelihoods through the farming and harvesting of aquatic products within Bai Tu Long Bay.

Boasting a pristine natural landscape, clear blue waters, and a tranquil environment largely untouched by urbanization, the Cong Lao Vong area offers significant advantages for developing a marine economy integrated with experiential tourism. Following the cooperative’s formation and the construction of a system of floating rafts, members have concentrated on farming high-value aquatic species-such as grouper, pompano, and rabbitfish-achieving an average annual output of 100 tons. These marine farming activities not only provide a stable income for the households but also establish a foundation for the cooperative to expand into the tourism sector.

Leveraging the scenic landscape and the unique cultural characteristics of the fishing village, the cooperative is gradually developing a community-based tourism model integrated with marine aquaculture. Under this development strategy, visitors to the village can engage in various activities-such as boating, learning about aquaculture processes, harvesting seafood, and enjoying fresh catches right on the floating farms. These experiences not only add value to the tourism product but also help promote traditional aquaculture practices, foster greater awareness of marine environmental protection, and preserve the cultural identity of the fishing community.

Duong Van Xuyen, Director of the Bai Tu Long Fishing Village Cooperative, explains that in line with the state’s policy on promoting the collective economy, the members established the cooperative with guidance from the province to develop experiential tourism within their aquaculture zones. Both the provincial government and the Van Don Special Economic Zone have shown interest in investing to gradually establish this area as a tourism destination, thereby creating jobs and increasing local incomes. However, the process of finalizing the formal allocation of sea surface areas remains challenging. The cooperative hopes that all necessary procedures will be completed by 2026, allowing members to be officially granted the use of these sea areas so they can invest with confidence in expanding both production and tourism services.

Echoing this sentiment, Vu Van Thang, a member of the Bai Tu Long Fishing Village Cooperative, shares that all members are looking to the relevant authorities and local government to resolve existing obstacles and expedite the allocation of sea surface areas, which would enable them to scale up their aquaculture operations and make more structured, long-term investments. Recognizing the potential for developing experiential tourism, my family is investing in additional facilities to welcome visitors, which will help increase the income of our cooperative members.

Despite numerous advantages, the cooperative faces significant challenges in developing its marine-based economic model integrated with community-based tourism. The members’ management capacity and tourism-related skills remain limited, while investment in infrastructure, facilities, and visitor services falls short of requirements. In particular, the formal allocation of a 20-hectare sea area to the cooperative members has yet to be resolved. This major obstacle prevents the cooperative from implementing its planned investments in a synchronized manner, thereby hindering the progress of the model’s development.

The experience of the Bai Tu Long Fishing Village Cooperative demonstrates that for a collective economic model integrated with community-based tourism to be effective, it requires the active support of government authorities, relevant sectors, and local administrations. This includes addressing challenges related to mechanisms and policies-most notably by accelerating the process of allocating sea areas for aquaculture in accordance with existing regulations. Once these bottlenecks are resolved, the cooperative will be well-positioned to invest in infrastructure, expand production, and develop unique experiential tourism products. This will create more jobs and increase local incomes, while simultaneously helping to preserve the cultural heritage of the fishing village, unlock the economic potential of the sea, and foster the growth of sustainable, "green" tourism.

Source: Bai Tu Long cooperative combines aquaculture and community tourism