Following positive results in tourist arrivals and revenue in the first six months, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector is entering an accelerated phase with the determination to hit its full-year 2026 growth targets.
In the first half of the year, Quang Ninh welcomed more than 12.4 million tourist arrivals, including over 2.6 million international arrivals, while tourism revenue reached nearly VND 35.2 trillion, up 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Based on these results, the provincial People’s Committee raised the 2026 target from 22 million to nearly 22.5 million tourist arrivals and increased the revenue target from around VND 65 trillion to VND 68.585 trillion. The third quarter of 2026 has been identified as an acceleration period, with the province targeting more than 5.8 million tourist arrivals, including around 3 million overnight tourist arrivals, and estimated revenue of VND 19.5 trillion.
To achieve these targets, Quang Ninh is continuing to expand its tourism development space and effectively harness its strengths in marine and island tourism, mountainous areas, heritage and cultural identity. At the same time, the province is diversifying products, improving service quality, enriching visitor experiences, encouraging longer stays and attracting repeat visits.
Quang Ninh is strongly developing night-time tourism to enrich visitor experiences and extend stays. New cultural and entertainment spaces, including distinctive night-time tourism activities at the Quang Ninh Museum and Library and October 30 Square, VuiFest Night Market, night cruises and the “Old Ha Long” three-panel sailing boat experience, have added fresh appeal to Ha Long Bay after dark. Meanwhile, the inter-regional tourism route linking Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh with Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong continues to be effectively operated, expanding the range of experiences and enhancing the destination’s competitiveness.
Besides refreshing its products, Quang Ninh is proactively restructuring its tourist markets towards higher-spending segments. While maintaining traditional markets such as China, South Korea and Japan, the province is stepping up efforts to attract Indian visitors through MICE and wedding tourism, while expanding the Russian, European and North American markets with long-stay marine and island resort products.
Notably, during an investment, trade and tourism promotion programme in Russia from July 5 to 11, the Quang Ninh delegation witnessed the signing of 20 memoranda of understanding between tourism and travel businesses from the two sides. These agreements are expected to expand market connections and attract more Russian tourists to Quang Ninh in the coming period, while facilitating Famtrip and Presstrip delegations to survey, develop and promote tourism products suited to the preferences of this market.
For the domestic market, Quang Ninh is continuing to focus on major sources of tourists from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities with large numbers of industrial parks through cooperation with airlines, travel businesses and major tourism groups. This approach not only increases tourist arrivals but also creates stable tourist flows, thereby helping reduce the seasonality of marine tourism.
Alongside attracting tourists, the province is placing particular emphasis on improving destination quality. This is an important foundation for enhancing competitiveness and maintaining tourism growth momentum during the remaining months of the year.
By Hoang Quynh
