Entering 2026, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector is opening up new growth opportunities amid the strong recovery and deeper international integration of Vietnam’s tourism industry. On the back of impressive growth in recent years, coupled with outstanding advantages in natural landscapes, distinctive cultural heritage and an increasingly synchronized tourism infrastructure, the province continues to assert itself as one of Vietnam’s leading destinations, with ambitions to reach regional and international stature.
International tourists flock to Ha Long Bay during the New Year holiday.
Positive signals emerged from the very start of the year. During the five-day New Year holiday from December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed an estimated 657,000 tourist arrivals, including more than 70,500 international arrivals. Overnight stays reached approximately 218,000, while total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 1.62 trillion. Major attractions such as Ha Long Bay, Yen Tu, Sun World Ha Long and the Quang Ninh Museum maintained strong appeal, reflecting the tourism market’s steady and sustainable recovery.
2026 Countdown Concert attracted 50,000 residents and visitors.
The festive atmosphere was further energized by a series of large-scale cultural and entertainment events. A highlight was the New Year Countdown 2026 program held at October 30 Square, drawing nearly 50,000 residents and visitors. The well-orchestrated event combined live performances, modern music, advanced visual effects and high-altitude fireworks, creating a vibrant and engaging start to the year. The event underscored the important role of cultural events in stimulating tourism demand and promoting the province’s image.
Residents and visitors take photos at the Lunar New Year 2025 cultural space.
Building on this momentum, Quang Ninh will roll out a wide range of cultural and tourism activities during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse 2026. Key programs included an art performance marking the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam and celebrating the success of the 14th National Party Congress, alongside annual events such as the OCOP Spring Fair 2026, spring cultural celebrations, book and press fairs, street music shows and traditional folk games. These activities contributed to diversifying visitor experiences, extending lengths of their stay and enhancing destination attractiveness.
Tourists explore and enjoy the beauty of Ha Long Bay
In 2026, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 22 million tourist arrivals and generate VND 65 trillion in tourism revenue, with the goal of building a modern, smart and culturally rich international destination. To achieve these targets, the province is intensifying promotion efforts, expanding market reach, improving the quality of international visitor flows, and developing high-quality, environmentally friendly tourism products linked to the night-time economy and heritage-based tourism.
International visitors experience an automated audio guide at the Quang Ninh Museum.
At the same time, Quang Ninh is accelerating digital transformation in tourism management and development, gradually building a smart, modern and efficient tourism system. With a sustainable development orientation, the tourism sector in 2026 focuses not only on growth in scale, but also on improving quality and competitiveness, making an important contribution to Quang Ninh’s socio-economic development.
By Nguyen Dung
