In recent years, Quang Ninh has consistantly pursueda tourism development strategy in a sustainable, professional, modern and efficient manner, with tourism identified as a spearheadeconomic sector with an increasingly significant share in the province’s GRDP. Tourism and services are gradually becoming pillar sectors in the province’s growth structure.
Accordingly, Quang Ninh has focused on improving visitor experiences, extending length of stay and increasing tourist spending. In 2025, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector recorded a strong recovery and impressive growth, with more than 21.2 million tourist arrivals, up 12% compared to 2024, including 4.5 million international arrivals. Total tourism revenue reached approximately VND 57 trillion, up 22% compared to the previous year.
During 2025, Quang Ninh rolled out large-scale tourism promotion activities across the province, with expanding scope and increasingly professional approaches. The province hosted and coordinated the organization of a wide-range of programmes and events to promote its tourism image and attract both domestic and international visitors. Notable highlights included the launch of new sightseeing routes in Bai Tu Long Bay and a mass sports performance on Ha Long Bay that set a national record.
Quang Ninh also actively participated in tourism promotion programmes in key and potential markets such as Japan, South Korea, India, China, the Philippines and Australia. These efforts included engagement at major regional and international events such as the 23rd East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF), the China–Viet Nam Border Tourism Festival, the Viet Nam–Taiwan Tourism Cooperation Conference, as well as promotional booths at major travel fairs including VITM Hanoi, TTE Ho Chi Minh City, Autumn Travel Fair…
Alongside promotion activities, the province has identified transport infrastructure investment as a strategic breakthrough for tourism development. Significant resources have been channelled into building a modern and increasingly synchronized transport network, strengthening connectivity with major tourism hubs domestically, regionally and internationally. The province has promoted the opening new international charter flights to Van Don International Airport. Charter flights from Shenzhen resumed in September 2025 and are being expanded to additional cities, while routes connecting South Korea–Van Don and Taiwan–Van Don are being promoted. To date, 27 international charter flights have been operated, carrying 2,047 international passengers. In November 2025 alone, the Shenzhen–Van Don route operated 14 flights, serving 1,575 passengers. A new charter flight route connecting Cheongju (South Korea) and Van Don is scheduled to launch in January 2026.
In addition, cruise tourism has remained vibrant, especially with the restoration of cruise routes from Beihai. Land border gates, especially at Mong Cai-Dongxing and Hoanh Mo–Dongzhong, have been upgraded towards a smart border gate model, facilitating entry for tourists travelling by road.
In 2026, Quang Ninh targets receiving 22 million tourist arrivals and generating VND 65 trillion in tourism revenue, aiming to become a modern, high-end, smart international destination rich in cultural identity. This period is regarded as a “golden opportunity” for the province’s tourism sector to accelerate and achieve breakthrough growth. Building on traditional source markets such as China, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe and the America, Quang Ninh is proactively expanding promotion efforts in emerging markets including India, the Middle East and Russia, while deepening cooperation with major international tour operators to enhance the quality and value of inbound tourist flows.
By Pham Tang
