Work started on Saturday on the first phase of a big ecological tourism complex on Cat Ba Islands off the northern port city of Hai Phong, which is projected to be Viet Nam’s first carbon-free tourism area. — Photo halonghub.com

Work started on Saturday on the first phase of a big ecological tourism complex on Cat Ba Islands off the northern port city of Hai Phong, which is projected to be Viet Nam’s first carbon-free tourism area.

The project, invested by Sun Group, aims to realise Hai Phong’s tourism development strategy between now and 2020 with a vision towards 2030, aiming to make tourism the city’s economic spearhead.

With total investment capital of about VND5 trillion (US$220 million), the first phase will build tourism infrastructure on Cai Hai and Cat Ba islands, public beaches, entertainment parks, and the Cat Ong and Monkey island tourism sites.

The project is expected to give Cat Ba a facelift while preserving its values as a national park and a marine reserve. It was also recognised as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Area in 2014.

Under the project, Cat Ba will also have its first-ever development master plan designed by the Wimberly Allison Tong & Good, a US firm. — VNS