The prices are off-peak and may be subject to an increase of up to 30 per cent during peak periods, such as Saturdays, Sundays, holiday seasons and the tourist season.

A representative of the department said the prices were also subject to changes to suit "common practices" in each period. Operators were required to post peak season prices on their tour boats and advertise them in the media.

The Department of Finance of northern Quang Ninh Province has posted prices of boat tours and boat accommodation for visitors to Halong Bay.

Tour prices (VAT included) on boat tours without accommodation vary with each class or level of boat. A level 5 boat costs from VND250,000-300,000 (US$12-14) per hour; level 4 VND300,000-400,000 ($14-19); level 3 VND400,000-500,000 ($19-24); level 2 VND500,000-600,000 ($24-28).

On smaller boat tours, tickets for Route 1 through the harbour to visit various landscapes are VND100,000 ($4.80) per person; Route 2 around the harbour, to the park and caves costs VND150,000 ($7.20) per person of Vietnam travel guide.

Other small boat routes are priced at VND300,000 ($14.40) per person. They include: Route 3 through the harbour, out to sea and the Cultural Conservation Centre; Route 4, the harbour and the sea entertainment centre; Route 5, the harbour and Gia Luan Station.

For larger boats, accommodation rates for sightseeing tours on Halong Bay are calculated on the number of people on the boat and are given as per person for 24 hours. For standard boats: level 1 VND5 million ($240), level 2 VND2 million-3.5 million ($96-168), level 3 VND1.2 million-2 million ($57.6-96), level 4 VND700,000-1.2 million ($33.60-$57.60).

The announcement of the prices was aimed at re-aligning business travel operators in the province, to combat losses in revenue and to prevent overcharging.

Earlier, the local People's Committee requested all documents of boat tours in the bay to be publicised in the media.

Tour boat and accommodation boat operators must declare their prices to the Department of Finance to ensure they are within the allowable rates.

Source: VNS