The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam has confirmed that it has not received any formal application for organizing art performances, dining, and events in a local cave.

The clarification came after reports emerged about a company planning to hold a dining and entertainment experience program in Doi Cave located near Bai Tu Long Bay in the province's Cam Pha City. 

Nguyen Thanh Tung, deputy director of the provincial department, stated that neither the department nor local authorities had received any formal requests to organize such activities in the cave, let alone granted any permit.

APC Corporation, a local company, had previously issued a press release on its plans to welcome tourists to Doi Cave, part of the Vung Duc cave complex, starting in April.

The company intended to transform the cave into a restaurant and theater complex.

Specifically, the firm planned to treat 800 guests to a 2.5-hour dining and entertainment experience in the cave, which spans over 1,000 square meters.

According to the department, the Vung Duc cave complex, located in Cam Dong Ward, Cam Pha City, lies outside Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognized world natural heritage site.

It is situated in a coastal area, near Vung Duc Wharf, and is not part of the Bai Tu Long Bay area.

In 2017, the provincial People’s Committee issued a decision recognizing tourist sites in Cam Pha, including the Vung Duc Relic and Scenic Landscape Area. 

As per the decision, the administration of Cam Pha City was tasked with managing, exploiting, and ensuring compliance with regulations for the area while developing tourism infrastructure to meet the needs of both locals and tourists.

Recently, a firm has shown interest in offering new tourism products at the Vung Duc cave area, including cave tours, traditional art performances, music shows, tea parties, and souvenir sales.

The firm suggested modifying the access paths with wooden walkways, setting up a stage, and installing lighting and sound systems, while preserving the cave's natural beauty.

There were no plans to cook or install restrooms within the cave.

However, the deputy director emphasized that these were only preliminary proposals.

Local authorities have not received any formal requests and not granted permission for these activities.

Under the Tourism Law and Government Decree No. 168/2017, which guides the implementation of the Tourism Law, any proposal to develop a tourist site must meet certain infrastructure requirements on dining, shopping, public restrooms, security, fire safety, and environmental protection.

As such, the proposal on tourism services in the cave area may be considered.

After receiving any proposal, local authorities will conduct an in-depth assessment of scale, installation, operation, sound, light, sanitation, food safety, environmental and safety aspects, as well as the appropriate number of visitors.

Quang Ninh, a major tourism hub in Vietnam, boasts more than just Ha Long Bay. 

The province is diversifying tourism products in Cam Pha to enhance the link between Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

The effort is aimed at fulfilling its goal of attracting 20 million tourists in 2025, contributing to the province’s economic growth this year.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism stated that it would thoroughly review any official proposals to ensure compliance with regulations and protect the site's environment, landscape, and intrinsic value.

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