Visitors to Ha Long Bay wishing to explore the UNESCO Heritage site by boat will soon be welcomed by new vessels with brand new designs selected from one of three competition winners.

The contest, launched by the Quang Ninh transport department in July 2016, received 14 entries from local ship design companies, with the winner and two runners-up announced on Thursday.

A panel of judges first selected five finalists from the submitted entries and consulted 100 tourism boat owners on Ha Long for their feedback before announcing the three winning designs.

The first prize winner

The designs were required to be safe, modern, environmentally friendly, compatible with advanced technology, and suitable for the conditions of Ha Long Bay.

Hanoi-based Viet Han Shipdesign and Engineering Services won the first place prize, whereas the Vietnam Marine Technology Development and Technical Investment Co. and the Institute of Shipbuilding Science and Technology under the Vietnam Maritime University took home the second and third place prizes, respectively.

The winning designs are recognized by the Quang Ninh administration, which have had some boats built with the new designs for free-of-charge use by local boat owners to serve tourists in Ha Long.

Tourism companies can contact the contest winners if they wish to build new boats for their own business.

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