Ha Long Bay to have seaplane services this year

Director of the Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Ha Quang Long, said seaplanes will be a new tourism product in Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage.
Long says that the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam’s (CAAV) idea of using seaplanes as a tourism product on Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay is a good one to contribute to attracting tourists to Quang Ninh.
“We fully agree with the idea of using seaplanes to the development of tourism in Quang Ninh. With the advantage of 250 kilometers of coastline, with the Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay … the launch of seaplane routes will satisfy the need of international tourists,” Long said.
Earlier, the CAAV last month worked with Quang Ninh authorities and relevant agencies to consult them on the launch of seaplane services in Quang Ninh, at the proposal by the Hai Au Aviation JSC. Accordingly, Hai Au Company will put into operation the charter flight services for tourists in Ha Long Bay.
Dinh Viet Thang, CAAV Deputy Director said seaplane is a new kind of tourism service in Vietnam but it is quite popular in many countries around the world, especially those with long coasts and many rivers and lakes such as the USA, Canada, Indonesia, etc. Vietnam – with a long coastline and a dense river and canal system will create favorable conditions for the development of seaplane services.
This agency is fulfilling procedures for the establishment of the seaplane services in Quang NInh.
“If this plan is approved, it is expected that by the end of 2014, the seaplane service will be put into operation in Ha Long Bay. Initially, Hai Au Company will import two seaplanes,” Thang said.
Quang Ninh authorities have recently allowed Hai Au Co to offer water taxi services.
The seaplanes that will be used in Ha Long Bay is Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX (the latest generation) of the U.S., 100 percent new, with 2 seats for pilots and 12 passenger seats. This vehicle can be flexible, taking off and land on both land and water.
Source: VietNamNet