On the same day, the delegation also held a working session with the Party Committee of Van Don Special Zone to review the progress of developing specific mechanisms and policies for the Van Don Special Economic Zone.

The delegation of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission conducts a site visit to the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don Tourism, Resort and Entertainment Complex. (Photo: Everland Group)

The Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don Tourism, Resort and Entertainment Complex is currently the largest tourism development in Van Don. Phase I of the project was inaugurated on December 19, 2025 and has been officially recognized as a commemorative work celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The delegation’s visit reflects the attention of national policy-making authorities to the development model of a special zone closely linked with high-quality marine tourism in the coming period.

The delegation of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission listens to a presentation by the project developer on the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don Tourism, Resort and Entertainment Complex. (Photo: Everland Group)

With a total investment of over VND 5,600 billion, the project comprises five towers ranging from 28 to 34 floors, providing more than 2,200 five-star standard accommodation units, an international convention center with a seating capacity of 1,500, and a comprehensive range of premium amenities including a marina, a commercial center, and integrated entertainment and service facilities. According to the plan, Phase I is scheduled for official opening in early 2026, with the entire project expected to be completed in 2027. The hotel system within the complex will be managed and operated by Centara Resorts & Hotels (a member of Central Group), a professional hospitality management brand operating more than 70 hotels and resorts across Asia.

The delegation of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission takes a commemorative photo at the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don Tourism, Resort and Entertainment Complex. (Photo: Everland Group)

Currently, the investor, contractors, and the management operator are expediting final completion and setup works to enable technical operation of Phase I during the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo, followed by an official grand opening on April 30, 2026, in time to serve the peak tourism season of 2026. The project is expected to help address the shortage of high-quality accommodation and tourism services in Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay.

Ao Tien Premium Port – a key transportation and tourism infrastructure project in Van Don Special Zone. (Photo: Internet)

In particular, the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don complex, in conjunction with Ao Tien International Port (operational since 2023), as well as passenger transport vessels and day-and-night cruise fleets, will form an integrated and synchronized tourism-service infrastructure chain. This ecosystem will be capable of meeting diverse accommodation, leisure, and experiential needs of both domestic and international visitors exploring Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay.

The delegation of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission conducts a site inspection at Van Don International Airport. (Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper)

Earlier, the delegation also visited Van Don International Airport and the High-End Integrated Tourism Service Complex project in Van Don Economic Zone. These are key infrastructure, tourism, and service projects in Van Don invested by Sun Group. Notably, Van Don International Airport is the first airport infrastructure project in Vietnam invested by a private economic group. Designed to serve 2.5 million passengers annually and built to 4E standards, the airport is capable of accommodating the most modern wide-body aircraft. It serves as a strategic gateway connecting Van Don Special Zone with major domestic and international centers in terms of transportation, tourism, and trade.

The delegation of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission conducts a site inspection at the High-End Integrated Tourism Service Complex in Van Don Economic Zone. (Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper)

With a modern and synchronized high-end transportation, tourism, and service infrastructure system, Van Don is demonstrating long-term vision and thorough, methodical preparation for accelerating the development of its marine tourism and service economy in a new era. The findings from this site visit will provide an important basis for the Central Policy and Strategy Commission to continue studying and advising central authorities on the development and refinement of strategies and specific policy mechanisms for the Van Don Special Zone under the new model.