${attraction_Ha_Long_Bay:”Ha Long Bay”} is a famous tourist destination that was included in the preliminary list of the Seven New Natural Wonders of the World by New7Wonders Foundation, a Switzerland-based organization. But just right after its recognition, admission fee to the famous spot increased simultaneously and largely, to the disappointment of both the visitors and travel agencies.
 
Because of this immediate concern, the ${bigcity_Ho_Chi_Minh_City:”Ho Chi Minh City”} Tourism Association has asked to put a hold and if possible, stop, on the recent Ha Long Bay admission fee increase proposal. The association wrote a letter to the Vietnam National Administration and to the authorities of northern province of Quang Ninh, impressing that many of the tourists who have booked their tours to Ha Long Bay did so way before the increase was announced.
 
Aside from local and foreign visitors complaining, local travel companies themselves are greatly affected by the matter since services related to Ha Long Bay Tours have increased disproportionately, making travel to Vietnam much more pricey compared to other countries. This creates a big possibility of drawing a bad image for the tourism of Vietnam.
 
Along with raising its concern on the price increase, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association also stated that it should be at least reasonable and accompanied by service improvements on the tours to make the increase justifiable. It has also advised tourists to pay for the tour as a package deal in order to save more money instead of taking and paying admission for individual sites which ultimately cost more.
 
On December 1 last year, Quang Ninh authorities announced admission to Ha Long Bay to cost between VND40,000 and VND100,000 (U.S.$1.9-4.7) each, depending on the sightseeing route the tourist will take.