Northern Quang Ninh province, home of Ha Long Bay, welcomed 12.06 million tourists in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 1.47-fold, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

Of these, 875,000 were foreign visitors.

Total tourism revenue reached nearly VND24 trillion ($1 billion), a 1.6-fold rise compared to the same period last year.

The province is expected to welcome 4.13 million tourists in the third quarter, with total revenue estimated at VND9.8 trillion ($400 million).

Total visitors in the first three quarters are expected to stand at nearly 13 million with revenue of over VND26.46 trillion ($1.1 billion).

To reach its targets, the province will boost the development of the services sector and attract investors in building commercial centers and completing infrastructure.