The decision was approved by the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Council during its session on the morning of 5/2, with the policy effective until 31/12/2028.

According to the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, the free admission aims to thank the public, monks, nuns, Buddhists, and tourists for their contributions to the preservation, protection, and development of the heritage dossier. This policy also seeks to stimulate tourism, increasing visitor numbers to Quang Ninh, particularly as Yen Tu has seen a decline in visitors, from over one million in 2018 to 567,000 in 2025.

Currently, admission fees for Yen Tu are 40,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children.

Chua Dong (Dong Pagoda), part of the Yen Tu Relic and Scenic Complex. *Photo: Giang Huy*

At the same morning session, another significant item approved was the adjustment of the financial mechanism for the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board. This entity was established on 1/11/2025 through the merger of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the Bai Tu Long National Park Management Board, and the Relic and Scenic Complex Management Board.

Following the merger, the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board now oversees a vast area encompassing two World Heritage sites, four special national relics, a national forest, and an ASEAN national park, stretching from Dong Trieu to Van Don. The board's personnel has increased to 507 people.

The Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee stated that the previous retention rate of 11% from Ha Long Bay entrance fees, applied to the former management board, is no longer sufficient to sustain the operations of the new, larger apparatus. Costs for basic salaries and regional minimum wages have risen sharply, alongside increasing recurrent expenditure for the maintenance and repair of deteriorating bay infrastructure.

Consequently, the Provincial People's Council approved a proposal to raise the retention rate for the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board to 26% of the total revenue from Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long entrance fees. The remaining 74% will be remitted to the state budget.

With projected revenue from Ha Long Bay entrance fees in 2026 expected to exceed 1,011 billion VND, a 26% retention rate will amount to approximately 276 billion VND, ensuring sufficient funds for the unit's operations and tasks.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Relic and Scenic Complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site at its 47th session in 7/2025. This marks Vietnam's 9th heritage site, spanning three localities: Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong City.

Le Tan