Diversifying tourism products and refreshing visitor experiences are becoming key drivers in enhancing Quang Ninh’s tourism appeal. This approach also helps increase destination value, encourage visitors to stay longer and support sustainable tourism development.
Ha Long’s traditional three-panel sailing boat experience is offering visitors new experiences by recreating the cultural atmosphere of fishing villages. The traditional boats, with their distinctive reddish-brown sails once closely associated with the lives of Ha Long fishermen, have been restored to take visitors along the coastal route from Bai Tho Bridge to the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center. Against the tranquil backdrop of the bay, the leisurely journey, accompanied by stories about local history and culture, offers a distinctive experience compared with conventional sightseeing tours.
Nguyen Xuan Anh, a visitor from Hanoi, said: “Everything, from the seats and tea set to the brown sails, evokes memories of an old Ha Long that was simple and peaceful. The most appealing aspect is not only the scenery, but also the cultural values conveyed through the experience. I hope Quang Ninh will continue developing more distinctive cultural tourism products to offer visitors new experiences.”
In addition to revitalising traditional products, Quang Ninh is gradually diversifying its tourism products based on the specific strengths of each locality, covering island, coastal, mountain, border, community-based and cultural tourism. This approach not only makes the destination more attractive and encourages longer stays and higher visitor spending, but also expands the province’s tourism space, distributes visitor flows more evenly and promotes balanced tourism development across different areas in the province.
In Van Don special zone, marine ecotourism linked with aquaculture in Bai Tu Long Bay is being further developed. Visitors can tour offshore farming cages, learn about aquaculture processes and purchase OCOP products from floating stalls. Water sports, including jet skiing, banana boat rides and inflatable water parks, have also been introduced to meet the needs of younger travellers and high-end holidaymakers.
Agritourism is also gradually emerging as a product with considerable potential. Farms, agricultural production areas and OCOP establishments are being developed into experiential destinations where visitors can explore orchards, learn about speciality livestock farming, take part in production activities, enjoy safe agricultural produce and purchase local products.
In eastern Quang Ninh, localities are capitalising on their mountainous landscapes, natural resources and the cultural identities of ethnic minority communities to develop distinctive tourism products. Hoanh Mo commune, for example, has launched several new experiences, including ecotourism combined with visits to historical sites and scenic attractions on Cao Ba Lanh Mountain; trekking along the “Dinosaur Spine” ridge and checking in at border marker 1305; exploring a heritage star anise forest of more than 100 years old; and experiencing traditional herbal baths of the Dao ethnic community. The “Cao Ly Moonlit Night” programme, in particular, is held regularly in autumn, featuring cultural and artistic performances, local cuisine and community-based experiences. It is gradually creating a distinctive identity for tourism in the border region.
Since the beginning of the year, Quang Ninh has introduced nearly 40 new tourism products. This demonstrates the province’s shift from developing individual destinations to building a diverse tourism ecosystem centred on visitor experiences while capitalising on the distinctive strengths of each locality. It is also an important measure to expand tourism space, ease pressure on traditional destinations, increase value and improve the competitiveness of Quang Ninh’s tourism sector.
By Hoang Quynh
