HẢI PHÒNG — Việt Hải village in the Cát Hải special zone, the northern province of Hải Phòng was announced on August 14 as a community-based tourism site under a decision by the municipal People’s Committee on June 19.

Foreign tourists in Việt Hải community-based tourism site. — VNA/VNS Photos

Comprising two hamlets with 87 households and 295 residents, Việt Hải is celebrated for its untouched natural landscapes and rich ecological environment, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquil, unspoiled beauty. Visitors can experience the village’s unique cultural identity and the simple, peaceful lifestyle of its people. In recent years, it has been gaining popularity as a sought-after destination for both domestic and international travellers.

To ensure sustainable growth, Vice Chairman of the Cát Hải People’s Committee Vũ Hữu Vững highlighted the importance of raising community awareness about the significance of Việt Hải as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hạ Long Bay – Cát Bà Archipelago. He called for stronger commitments to preserving and promoting the area’s heritage values.

Delegates attend plaque-unveiling ceremony for Việt Hải community-based tourism site.

Authorities are also encouraging investment from capable organisations and enterprises in eco-friendly infrastructure, aiming to promote green and sustainable tourism. Local hamlets have been urged to develop regulations for a cultural hamlet, including green transition goals in transportation, tourism, energy, environment, and agriculture for the 2025–2030 period, forming a cornerstone for building the “Green Cát Bà” brand.

Close coordination will continue between relevant agencies and Cát Bà National Park to safeguard Việt Hải’s natural resources and develop its community-based tourism model into a flagship attraction for the special zone and the city.

Phạm Thị Tô Trang, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted that Việt Hải’s idyllic setting of mountains and sea lies within the heart of Cát Bà National Park, a UNESCO-recognised world biosphere reserve. She stressed that the new designation will not only help preserve the village’s natural and cultural assets but also unlock opportunities for socio-economic growth, improve local livelihoods, and advance Hải Phòng’s community tourism ambitions. — VNA/VNS