HANOI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh province has allowed cars driven by Chinese tourists to enter Ha Long city, home to the world heritage site of Ha Long Bay, through the Mong Cai border gate.

The entry of Chinese cars will be allowed on a trial basis until Dec. 31 this year, Vietnam News Agency quoted Vu Van Hop, chief of the Secretariat of the provincial People's Committee, as saying on Wednesday.

Since Jan. 1, 2017, Quang Ninh has allowed cars with less than nine seats owned by Chinese nationals and enterprises to enter only Mong Cai city and vice versa during a trial period of one year.

Chinese tourists are not allowed to stay beyond three days per entrance. In case of accidents or broken-down cars, the stay is extended by another day.

In 2017, 93 cars ferried 256 Chinese tourists to Mong Cai city and 38 cars with 110 tourists from Vietnam to Dongxing city in China.

Cars entering Vietnam through the Mong Cai border gate are permitted to travel around Mong Cai city. Meanwhile, tourists from Vietnam could visit Dongxing city.

Vietnam welcomed 901,800 Chinese visitors in the first two months of this year, or 31.5 percent of the total international arrivals, up 38.5 percent against the same period last year, the General Statistics Office said.