Quang Ninh taps tourism opportunity as Kong: Skull Island screened

Northern Quang Ninh province is aiming to take advantage of opportunities the American blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” may bring to its tourism industry.

The Hollywood monster action-adventure movie, which is set to open in theatres worldwide on March 10, was filmed in multiple locations in Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay in the province.

It promises to top the box office in Vietnam and also bring a huge opportunity for the province to promote local tourism.

The film helps promote the image of Ha Long Bay and Vietnam to the world, said head of the travel management division at the provincial Department of Tourism Doan Anh Linh, who accompanied the film crew on their location scouting trip around the bay.

The department plans to offer free tickets to the premier screening of the movie to tour operators and hand out brochures on Ha Long Bay during the screening, he noted, adding that more measures will be adopted to introduce Ha Long Bay to the world.

Vice Chairman of the Ha Long City People’s Committee Vu Hong Son said the provincial administration has been renovating infrastructure at local tourist hotspots to welcome the increased number of travellers expected to visit the city after the movie opens worldwide.

“Kong: Skull Island” was shot at many heritages sites throughout Vietnam, such as Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh, Van Long Natural Reserve and Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh, and the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh.

The film tells the story of the origin of the iconic king of the apes in a compelling adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

Ninh Binh province also plans to beef up tourism at places where the movie was shot. According to Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Hoang Thanh Phong, the province will partner with Trang An Complex operator, Xuan Truong company, to rebuild one of the film sets and turn it into a tourist destination.

Source VNS