During the first two days of the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day holiday, sea and island tourism in Quang Ninh was highly vibrant. At Ao Tien Cruise Terminal in Van Don Special Zone, large numbers of residents and visitors arrived to purchase tickets and board boats to island routes serving Co To Special Zone and Quan Lan and Minh Chau (Van Don Special Zone).
According to statistics from the Ao Tien Cruise Terminal Management Board, nearly 150 departures were licensed over the two-day holiday (April 25–26), transporting more than 18,500 tourist arrivals to island routes, 5.1 times higher than the same period last year. Of these, visitors travelling to Co To accounted for more than half of the total.
Along with strong domestic demand, the number of international visitors choosing Quang Ninh’s islands for leisure travel combined with nature-based experiences has also shown an upward trend.
Gal Lachmish, a visitor from Israel, said he came across Co To Island while searching for seaside destinations for a trip to Vietnam with friends. He noted that the island remains relatively unspoiled, with striking natural scenery, and was therefore added to their itinerary.
To prepare for the surge in demand, local transport operators have proactively carried out maintenance and upgrades of their fleets, while also investing in new vessels. On April 26, two newly built boats, each with a capacity of 150 passengers, operated by Chung Huong Waterway Transport Co., Ltd., were put into service on the Van Don - Minh Chau route. Around 15 additional vessels are expected to be introduced this summer, bringing the total number of boats at Ao Tien Cruise Terminal to about 80.
With rising visitor numbers, room occupancy rates on Co To, Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands have remained high at 90 - 95 per cent. Many accommodation providers have adopted online booking systems, helping visitors plan their trips more conveniently. At the same time, a wide range of activitie, such as kayaking, surfing, visiting the Quan Lan communal house – pagoda - temple complex, and experiencing “a day as a fisherman”, have contributed to diversifying travel experiences on island routes.
Pham Hong Ngoc, a visitor from Hanoi, said she was pleasantly surprised by the improved transport infrastructure and well-equipped accommodation after returning to the islands. She added that her children especially enjoyed swimming, collecting shells and digging for clams, and that she plans to explore more of Quang Ninh’s islands this summer.
During the upcoming April 30–May 1 holiday, Van Don Special Zone will host a series of events titled “Van Don - Awakening Summer,” scheduled from April 30 to May 2. Highlights include an opening art programme on the evening of April 30 at Minh Chau Beach, combined with the launch of the Van Don tourism app. Pedestrian streets in Quan Lan and Minh Chau are also set to open on May 1 and May 2, respectively.
By Hoang Quynh
