Building on its natural landscapes and cultural heritage, Quang Ninh City is seeking to renew and diversify its tourism offerings to meet visitors’ increasingly diverse and sophisticated needs. Key priorities include developing new attractions, creating distinctive experiences, encouraging longer stays, increasing visitor spending and enhancing tourism’s contribution to the local economy.
Quang Ninh City boasts rich cultural and historical resources, with more than 630 historical and cultural sites and scenic attractions, including six special national relic sites and around 150 relic sites recognised at national or provincial level. The city is also home to hundreds of items of intangible cultural heritage, seven of which have been included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Then singing and ritual practices of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam, including ritual Then practices of the Tay community in Binh Lieu, form part of a cultural tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Together with around 120 traditional cultural and historical festivals, these resources provide an important foundation for developing tourism products that reflect Quang Ninh City’s distinctive identity.
To diversify its tourism offerings and shape a distinct identity for each destination, Quang Ninh City is implementing the “One Distinctive Tourism Product for Each Commune, Ward and Special Zone” initiative in 2026. Under the plan, localities with tourism activities are required to assess their strengths, select and develop at least one signature product, and ensure that it is ready for practical operation. Product development must suit local conditions, avoid unnecessary duplication between neighbouring areas, and ensure security, safety, environmental protection and compliance with legal regulations on investment and tourism businesses.
In line with this direction, Hoanh Mo Commune is gradually developing tourism products linked to its border landscapes, forest ecosystems and community-based cultural identity. Cao Ba Lanh stands out for its scenic, historical and cultural values. Combined with a trek along the “Dinosaur Spine” at Border Marker 1305, forest trails, exploration of long-established star anise forests and Dao herbal baths, the area has the potential to offer itineraries that combine nature exploration with opportunities to learn about local life.
The star anise forests can become settings for immersive experiences, including learning about local cultivation, seasonal harvesting, and the production of tea, spices and other signature products. Dao herbal baths, combined with community-based accommodation, can offer visitors another reason to stay longer. In late September, the locality held the “Cao Ly Moonlight Night” programme on Cao Ly Mountain, featuring cloud watching, sunrise viewing, camping, folk singing and dancing, ethnic costume displays, traditional sports, local cuisine and promotion of local agricultural products. The event provided an opportunity to showcase the area’s distinctive attractions while exploring how different activities could be integrated into a single tourism product.
In the coastal and island areas, Van Don is well positioned to tap into the potential for ecotourism linked to planned aquaculture zones. Visitors can explore fishing villages, learn about marine farming, enjoy seafood at floating aquaculture facilities and purchase local products.
Going forward, the tourism sector will classify products according to their readiness for operation and focus on removing bottlenecks, while enabling travel companies to conduct site inspections, refine offerings and incorporate them into tour itineraries. Success will be measured not only by visitor numbers or media exposure, but also by the ability to generate revenue, extend stays, increase visitor spending, create jobs and deliver tangible benefits to local communities. These efforts will help Quang Ninh City gradually build a diverse, distinctive and professionally organised portfolio of tourism products that is competitive in the market.
By Hoang Quynh
