Ha Long Carnival 2025: “Connecting heritage - Pioneering to shine”

On the evening of May 1, Ha Long Carnival 2025, themed “Connecting heritage - Pioneering to shine”, lit up Sun Carnival square in Ha Long city with a vibrant celebration.

The event kicked off a series of cultural, tourism, and entertainment activities marking the 2025 summer peak season. It also served as a highlight to promote Ha Long and Quang Ninh’s unique strengths and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025).

The carnival featured four main components: an art performance program, a grand parade of floats with artistic performances and carnival-style costumes, a dynamic DJ stage with large-scale production inviting locals and tourists into an electrifying electronic music party, and a high-altitude fireworks display.

The art program unfolded in three acts: “Ha Long - Radiant heritage wonder”, “Quang Ninh - Heritage within heritage”, and “Global integration - Pioneering to shine.” Nearly 1,000 performers participated, including singers, musicians, artisans from Northeast Vietnam, amateur actors, and art troupes from Vietnam and abroad. A large seaside stage combined modern projection, sound, lighting, 3D mapping, and live-action performances, creating a visually stunning experience.

The three acts illustrated Quang Ninh’s journey from a land of legends and living heritage to a symbol of global integration. Performances like “Heritage Carousel,” “Ha Long Legend,” “Sacred Yen Tu,” and “Footsteps of the Miners” took audiences on a cultural journey through history and tradition.

A standout highlight was the reinterpretation of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages such as Then singing from Binh Lieu, Quan Ho folk songs from Bac Ninh, Hue Royal Court Music, Central Highlands Gong Culture, Southern Don Ca Tai Tu music, and Hat Van “Co Doi Thuong Ngan.” These art forms retained their core essence while being refreshed through modern arrangements, theatrical staging, and interactive visuals, making them accessible to young audiences and international visitors.

Celebrating national identity in the open space of a world heritage bay, the carnival showcased a distinctive fusion of tradition and modernity, affirming Ha Long - Quang Ninh as not only a guardian of heritage but also a hub for spreading and elevating Vietnamese cultural values.

The final act, “Global Integration – Pioneering to Shine,” featured international performances, rising star Quang Hung Master D, EDM shows, high-altitude fireworks, and artistic paragliding. A highlight was the parade of five thematic floats, symbolizing Ha Long–Quang Ninh’s culture, spirituality, entertainment, and tourism, conveying the message of integration, dynamism, and progress.

Ha Long Carnival 2025 marked its 18th edition, further cementing its role as Quang Ninh’s signature cultural and tourism event. With the message “Connecting Heritage – Pioneering to Shine,” the carnival enriches the cultural identity of Northeast Vietnam and elevates Ha Long Bay ’s position on the global tourism map.