Beyond the appeal of Ha Long Bay and sacred Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh is renewing its destination appeal through arts programs, large-scale events and distinctive cultural experiences. These initiatives are helping to harness cultural values, promote tourism and shape an urban identity rooted in the city’s cultural heritage.
Since the beginning of the year, Quang Ninh has organised eight large-scale cultural and arts activities and events associated with political tasks, image promotion and tourism attraction. A special arts programme marking the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day at October 30 Square on July 24 attracted around 40,000 spectators, while the opening ceremony of Miss World 2026 at Halong Marina Beach Square on August 12 drew around 10,000. Together, the “Quang Ninh - A City with a Bright Future” arts programme, cruise ship light performances on Ha Long Bay, drone light shows, 3D mapping, the OCOP fair, culinary spaces and Tourism Promotion Week created a diverse series of experiences combining culture, arts, entertainment and commerce. These activities contributed to promoting Quang Ninh’s image and showcase the city’s potential and development aspirations in the new era.
The impact of these events has helped renew the destination’s appeal, giving visitors more reasons to choose Quang Ninh and enriching their travel experiences. In the first nine months of 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed nearly 19 million tourist arrivals, including an estimated more than 4.2 million international arrivals, while total tourism revenue reached around VND 56.4 trillion. These results indicate further opportunities to develop cultural products linked to tourism.
The city is currently developing a project on the development of the heritage economy, night-time tourism products and cultural industries through 2030, with a vision to 2045. A key priorities include reviewing land availability and identifying potential sites for cultural and creative industry clusters and zones, cultural creative complexes, live-performance spaces and cultural tourism. This is a preparatory step towards creating creative spaces, attracting businesses and gradually establishing production, distribution and consumption chains for cultural products.
Alongside the arts performances, the night-time economy is expected to broaden opportunities for cultural enjoyment and spending on cultural experiences. Since May 30, 2026, the city has piloted night-time economy products and services at Quang Ninh Library and Museum. Plans are also being prepared to develop products and services in the areas around October 30 Square and the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center.
In the film sector, Quang Ninh is implementing the production of animated films to promote its Code of Conduct and the values and people of Quang Ninh. The use of technology and creative forms storytelling to communicate cultural values, particularly to younger generations, offers a new approach to cultural promotion. In the longer term, attracting film crews, developing digital content, digitising materials and promoting distinctive filming locations can create further opportunities for the creative industries and introduce Quang Ninh to wider audiences and new markets.
