Awakening that beauty, bringing the hidden gem out from its rough shell to shine under the sunlight, generating livelihoods for local communities and billions of dollars for the tourism industry, is the mission of major investors who are building tourism infrastructure in Van Don and reviving a trading port once known as the “Premier Seaport of Southeast Asia.”

Blessed with the unique beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don resembles a precious gem awaiting its awakening.

Bali’s Lost Serenity — Yet Its “Signature” Still Thrives in Van Don

Dubbed a paradise of marine tourism, Bali has long been globally renowned for its rich natural and cultural tourism assets. Visitors are captivated by its crystal-clear beaches, long stretches of white sand, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, vibrant festivals, village life, and diverse cuisine.

International arrivals to Bali have surged year after year: 5.3 million in 2023, 6.3 million in 2024, and 6.5 million in 2025 — while the local population stands at only around 4.4 million.

Visitor numbers now exceed the local population. Once tranquil landscapes have given way to beach clubs and luxury restaurants. Bali is no longer peaceful or pristine; it has become overcrowded and environmentally strained, ranking high on Fodor’s Travel “No List 2025.” Moreover, with 85% of the tourism economy owned by non-Balinese interests, local communities increasingly find themselves marginalized within an industry built upon their own natural and cultural resources.

Travelers who once fell in love with Bali are now searching for destinations that resemble Bali decades ago — untouched, serene, authentic. Among the emerging names, Van Don stands out as a promising alternative, sharing many similarities with Bali.

Located in the southeastern part of Quang Ninh Province, covering more than 550 km², Van Don comprises nearly 600 islands forming a natural arc that embraces the heritage waters of Bai Tu Long Bay. The area holds strategic significance for both national defense and economic development, as well as international trade in Vietnam’s northeastern region.

With dozens of beaches — large and small — featuring turquoise waters and powdery white sands framed by picturesque scenery, visitors to Van Don can stroll along pristine shores, immerse themselves in rolling waves, or pose along piers stretching into the open sea.

Van Don’s true “signature” lies in its captivating islands, where nature and human life coexist harmoniously, rich in identity yet majestic and mysterious. Destinations such as Quan Lan, Minh Chau, and Ngoc Vung are jewels in the open sea, offering rest and rejuvenation — no less enchanting than Bali’s famed islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Nusa Ceningan.

Van Don is also home to Bai Tu Long National Park, a terrestrial biosphere reserve that safeguards Vietnam’s coastal biodiversity, hosting over 50 species of plankton and more than 100 high-value aquatic species.

Beyond its natural allure, Van Don carries profound historical and cultural heritage — sacred seaside pagodas, unique traditional festivals, and a renowned culinary scene featuring specialties found only in this region.

“I used to love Bali and visited every spring or summer. But when it became overcrowded and overwhelmed by waste, losing its serenity, I stopped going and discovered a place equally — if not more — beautiful and still untouched by over-commercialization: Van Don. I enjoy staying in Cai Bau and taking boats to Minh Chau or Quan Lan, living for a few days like a local, enjoying fresh seafood, watching sunrise and sunset — all at very reasonable costs,” shared Emily Nguyen, a Vietnamese-German expatriate.

“Awakening” the Sea Fairy — Building a High-Quality Marine Tourism Hub

Since 2018, Van Don has set its vision to become a high-quality marine tourism center, positioning tourism as the key driver for broader socio-economic development. Yet for years, Van Don remained like a sleeping mermaid — rich in potential but lacking the infrastructure to fully enchant global travelers.

One of the main constraints has been underdeveloped tourism infrastructure: limited high-end accommodation, a lack of distinctive tourism products, and insufficient logistics capabilities.

Entering 2026, however, Van Don’s tourism infrastructure is projected to witness a remarkable breakthrough. A series of large-scale projects are being launched, and integrated tourism – resort – entertainment complexes are coming into operation, aiming to transform Van Don into a modern marine economic zone and a leading tourism and entertainment hub in Southeast Asia.

At the forefront of this transformation is the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don premium tourism and entertainment complex, invested by Everland Group.

Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don – A new resort landmark beside the heritage waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Adjacent to Ao Tien International Port and just 15 minutes from Van Don International Airport, the project spans 2.6 hectares with a total investment exceeding VND 5,600 billion. It comprises five towers of 28–34 floors and a four-story international convention center, designed in neo-classical architectural style inspired by “prosperous sails” reaching out to the sea.

The project has been designed by leading domestic and international consultants and constructed under the supervision of experienced contractors. From architecture and materials to technical solutions, every component has been carefully calculated to ensure both aesthetic excellence and premium operational standards.

Notably, the complex will be managed by an international hotel brand from Thailand, targeting five-star standards and aiming to attract substantial international visitor flows from Northeast Asian markets through global tourism networks.

The development will provide 2,274 five-star standard hotel rooms and serviced apartments, along with an integrated ecosystem of amenities including a commercial center, retail spaces, restaurants, entertainment areas, wellness facilities, meeting venues, and themed clubs. A highlight of the project is the 1,500-seat international convention center equipped with high-end sound and lighting systems, designed to host domestic and international conferences and events.

Towers A and B were inaugurated on December 19, 2025 and officially commenced operations on April 30, 2026, helping address the shortage of high-end accommodation in Van Don while opening opportunities to attract quality visitor segments and establish a large-scale M.I.C.E. and resort-entertainment hub.

The developer is also pioneering a synchronized and integrated tourism ecosystem — spanning accommodation, travel services, transportation, and tourism offerings — including the launch of day cruises and overnight vessels operating along “The Beauty of Van Don” maritime routes from Ao Tien Port to Phat Co, Tay Hoi, Ban Sen islands and beyond. This initiative creates distinctive experiential tourism products in Bai Tu Long Bay, forming a closed value chain that enhances visitor experience and elevates local tourism service quality.

The operation of new resort complexes is expected to spark a new wave of tourism in Van Don, capturing international visitor flows shifting toward Vietnam amid the global trend of sustainable tourism, green growth, and harmony with nature.

— Source: Lao Dong Newspaper —