A Boost for the Tourism Industry

In late April, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province issued Decision No. 1169/QD-UBND, approving the Project to Develop Quang Ninh into a Regional and Global Tourism Hub by 2030, with a vision to 2045. The plan aims to position Quang Ninh as one of the country's leading tourism centers, serving as a gateway for tourism cooperation and connectivity with the region and the world, focusing on green growth, a circular economy, and "Four Seasons Tourism."

Specifically, Quang Ninh will become a new center for hosting international music, film, cultural exchange events, festivals; a hub for conferences, fairs, exhibitions, MICE; a top romantic honeymoon destination; a world-class health and wellness retreat; and a leading spiritual and Buddhist center in Vietnam and globally. The province will organize tourism development spaces and infrastructure to enhance intra-provincial, regional, national, and international connectivity; build modern and synchronized infrastructure systems to lay the foundation for tourism development and increase international tourist arrivals.

Quang Ninh aims to achieve high and sustainable tourism growth by 2030, focusing on developing world-class tourism products and services; becoming a regional and global tourism hub, a key area for high-end tourism, entertainment, and resorts with truly synchronized, modern, and superior infrastructure; offering diverse, unique, high-quality tourism products with strong brands and global competitiveness.

The province targets becoming a global tourism connectivity center and a top world destination by 2045, based on branding Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay as paradise landscapes and harmoniously developing economic, social, and environmental ecosystems with international standards of living and ecology.

In the near term, by 2025, Quang Ninh strives to welcome 20 million visitors, including 4.5 million international tourists; over 8 million overnight stays; and total tourism revenue of VND 55 trillion, an 18% increase compared to 2024. To achieve this goal, the province has issued a tourism development plan for 2025. Notably, following the Prime Minister's Directive No. 34/CD-TTg (dated April 10, 2025) on promoting tourism development and ensuring double-digit economic growth, Quang Ninh has implemented various tasks and solutions to develop tourism, aiming to adhere to the principles of: Unique products – Professional services – Convenient and simple procedures – Competitive prices – Clean and beautiful environment – Safe, civilized, and friendly destinations. This approach accelerates growth to ensure the 2025 growth rate and subsequent years, significantly contributing to the province's economic growth in 2025, targeting a GRDP growth rate of 14% or higher.

Enterprises Join Hands to Create Breakthroughs

According to Mr. Nguyen The Hue, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association, the province's prompt issuance of long-term tourism-oriented resolutions and timely implementation of growth-stimulating solutions in 2025 serve as a "boost" for the tourism industry's breakthrough growth. The association proactively connects tourist sites and areas, builds a network linking transportation, accommodation, and restaurant service providers to reduce costs and prices; develops promotional programs to attract tourists; introduces new tourism products in Quang Ninh; and encourages local businesses to offer suitable incentive programs for large groups, combining various attractive, high-end service packages to attract visitors.

These policies and resolutions to promote tourism also provide a foundation for businesses to accompany the province, proactively build and invest in new, professional, high-end tourism products, and strongly exploit Quang Ninh's abundant tourism resources to enhance competitiveness with regional destinations. Mr. Pham Van Hiep, Executive Director of Sun Group's Northeast region, stated that in response to the province's plans, Sun Group has introduced a series of tourism events. For example, the Yacht and Cruise Festival combined with the Night Cruise Street product has been successfully organized for several years. In the near future, the company plans to host festivals in the cable car and Sun Wheel areas after completing infrastructure renovations affected by Storm No. 3/2024. Additionally, the company actively promotes Quang Ninh tourism and destinations within its ecosystem.

Realizing the 2025 Growth Target

Tourism is identified as a key economic sector contributing positively to the province's overall growth. With the goal of achieving a 14% GRDP growth rate in 2025, the tourism sector focuses on increasing the average spending of tourists. In addition to leveraging existing strengths, Quang Ninh's tourism industry concentrates on exploiting development potential, promoting high-quality products sustainably, and targeting international tourists with high spending.

One of the key solutions is proactive tourism promotion, including innovating content delivery methods, enhancing the application of modern technology, and ensuring unified, professional, and effective tourism promotion domestically and internationally. According to Mr. Phan Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Center for Culture, Information, and Tourism Promotion, the center will build and position Quang Ninh's tourism brand associated with unique, culturally rich imagery; increase tourism communication across all media platforms; provide information to press and media agencies about prominent cultural and tourism events in the province. Additionally, the center will proactively connect with domestic and international units to promote tourism through film studios, music bands, etc., to enhance effectiveness and reach diverse tourist markets.

Furthermore, the tourism sector actively innovates and improves the quality and competitiveness of existing tourism products and services, aiming to increase tourist spending, boost revenue, and enhance economic efficiency. It also enhances the tourism experience through services like private yacht connections to nearby islands or helicopter transfers; offers cultural experiences upon request; and provides world-class health care amenities such as comprehensive spas with traditional Vietnamese therapies.

In 2025, the tourism sector continues to promote digital transformation, green transformation, and increased application of information technology in tourism development, such as: selling tourism tickets for Ha Long Bay, implementing integrated links introducing Quang Ninh tourism, managing boats; applying digital transformation at Quang Ninh Museum; and providing free wifi coverage in tourist areas and attractions.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: “With a consistent orientation toward developing year-round tourism, localities and relevant units must comprehensively improve the tourism business environment and strengthen destination management across the province to ensure a healthy and sustainable tourism ecosystem for visitors.”

Specifically, authorities are urged to intensify the promotion of civilized behavior at tourist sites; ensure public order, environmental sanitation, and food safety; display and sell products at listed prices; and strictly prevent acts such as tourist harassment or fraud. Additionally, a multilingual hotline should be established to receive visitor feedback. The province will resolutely handle violations, including shutting down illegal or fraudulent tourism websites, unlicensed vehicles and taxis, and any business establishments that violate regulations and negatively affect tourists’ rights and interests.

With timely development orientations for the tourism industry, many "boosts" from policies and resolutions have quickly proven effective, such as Decision No. 2119/QD-UBND (dated July 19, 2024) by the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee on announcing tourist routes on Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Ten routes on Bai Tu Long Bay are now available for tourists. Since late March 2025, Quang Ninh Province has launched tours on Bai Tu Long Bay.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thuc Can, General Director of Everland Crystal Group, the group has introduced two 99-seat luxury cruise ships as part of its high-end cruise fleet development project, including day and overnight cruises exploring Bai Tu Long Bay and connecting routes between Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay. Each tour lasts 4–6 hours, depending on the choice. Tourists are served lunch on board and can enjoy various services and entertainment activities. This is part of the group's efforts to maximize the tourism potential of Van Don, connecting with the tourism, resort, and entertainment complex the group is investing in, thereby attracting more tourists to visit and experience the area, gradually transforming Van Don into a marine and island resort tourism center in line with the province's and local authorities' orientation.

Thanks to the efforts of authorities, businesses, and residents, in the first four months of 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed nearly 7.6 million tourists, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. International tourists were estimated at 1.57 million; overnight stays reached approximately 1.9 million. Total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 18.31 trillion, a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, during the five-day holiday from April 30 to May 4, the province received over 1.1 million tourists, achieving 112% compared to the same period in 2024.

- Source: Quang Ninh online -