Van Don island district in the northern coastal province of QuangNinh is home to the first village specialising in pearl oystercultivation in the northeast which has become a tourist attractionfor over 40 years.

Vietnamese pearls have beencelebrated for hundreds of year. The legends of Minh Chau (shiningpearl) island and Ngoc Vung (dazzling pearl) island in Bai Tu Long Bayremain.

According to experts, Van Don’s naturalfresh water creates the pure and luxurious colour of the district’spearl, not seen anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Recognising Van Don’s strength and potential in pearl farming,Taiheiyo Shinju, a leading Japanese pearl cultivation company, hasworked with several Vietnamese partners in the region.

Operating for 10 years, the company has affirmed its position in the domestic and international pearl market.

The company’s Vietnam Director, Le Nam Trung, said Van Don’spearls meet all six requirements specified by the Japan Pearl Exporters’Association. The pearls have maximum levels of thickness, shine andcolour.

SPICA, the trademark of Van Don pearls, ishighly valued in the world market. 90 percent of the pearls areexported to Japan.

Besides, Van Don isdeveloping ecological tourism following the model seen in many countriesin the world, including China , Japan and India.

The number of visitors to Ha Long Bay is growing, which createsfavourable conditions for Taiheiyo Shinju Vietnam to accelerateproduction, diversify its marketing methods, and improve the quality anddesign of its products to promote Quang Ninh’s economic and tourismpotential, and develop pearl oyster farming-trade village tourism.-VNA