Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don is ready to welcome guests for the Summer 2026 season.

One of the Most Exciting Destinations for Summer 2026

According to accommodation search data from Agoda, travelers both domestic and international are increasingly seeking emerging destinations that remain relatively undiscovered. Warm, unspoiled coastlines, vibrant island experiences, cool mountain retreats, pristine natural environments, distinctive local cultures, and authentic cuisine have become the defining preferences of today's global travelers.

In northern Vietnam, Van Don Special Economic Zone has become one of the region's most searched destinations, particularly after Condé Nast Traveler named Bai Tu Long Bay one of Southeast Asia's most extraordinary natural wonders, praising its untouched beauty, tranquil atmosphere, and unique visitor experience.

Statistics released by Quang Ninh's tourism authorities show that visitor arrivals to Van Don and surrounding islands - including Co To, Quan Lan, and Minh Chau have surged since the beginning of the summer season. Ao Tien International Passenger Port has remained bustling, welcoming more than 90,000 passengers in May 2026 alone. Resort occupancy across the area has consistently reached 80–90%, with demand continuing to rise, underscoring the growing appeal of Van Don's island tourism.

Having recently accompanied a delegation of Taiwanese travelers on "The Beauty of Van Don" cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, Dang Dinh Viet, CEO of CRH International, spoke enthusiastically about the destination. He noted that the group was deeply impressed by both the spectacular scenery and the premium hospitality experience aboard Crystal Holidays Cruise.

The spectacular landscapes of Bai Tu Long Bay continue to attract visitors throughout the year.

"We were accompanied by HT Travel (China), a travel company that has previously brought millions of visitors to destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang. This visit to Van Don was part of their destination survey in preparation for introducing new visitor flows from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Most of these travelers have already experienced Ha Long Bay and are now looking for something different. They are drawn to Van Don because its islands remain pristine and largely untouched. They are seeking five-star experiences in a more peaceful environment, away from overcrowded tourist hotspots," Mr. Dang explained.

According to Mr. Dang, travelers from Northeast Asia and China traditionally favored destinations such as Nha Trang and Da Nang before the COVID-19 pandemic, attracted by their affordability and diverse tourism offerings.

Since the pandemic, however, travel preferences have shifted significantly. Visitors are increasingly seeking newer, more exclusive, and higher-quality destinations placing Van Don among the emerging locations attracting considerable attention.

"Many visitors are fascinated by the history of the ancient Van Don trading port, once an important stop along the Maritime Silk Road, where merchants from Southeast Asia, Persia, India, and China conducted trade for nearly a millennium. This remarkable historical narrative is a powerful tourism asset that deserves much greater attention," he added.

Meanwhile, international travel agencies and Van Don International Airport have begun discussions on launching direct flights from Shenzhen, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Nanning to Van Don.

"Initially, travel companies are considering charter flights before expanding to scheduled services to accommodate the tremendous demand expected from these new markets," Mr. Dang revealed.

Tourism Infrastructure Expands to Welcome New Visitor Markets

Van Don's tourism sector has set an ambitious target of welcoming three million visitors during the 2026 summer season, and current performance through June suggests this objective is well within reach.

Summer 2026 marks a significant transformation for Van Don as accommodation options from boutique homestays to internationally branded luxury resorts continue to expand, offering travelers an increasingly diverse range of experiences.

Among the most anticipated additions is Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don, an integrated tourism, resort, and entertainment complex that will introduce more than 2,200 five-star hotel rooms and resort apartments, together with Van Don's largest International Convention Center, capable of accommodating 1,500 delegates.

Developed as an integrated lifestyle destination inspired by the concept of Quiet Luxury, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don celebrates the extraordinary natural beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay while offering a comprehensive all-in-one ecosystem. Guests will enjoy a seamless combination of luxury accommodation, leisure, shopping, dining, wellness, and remote-working facilities.

Highlights include a state-of-the-art International Convention Center serving the MICE market, vibrant retail and entertainment streets, an infinity pool overlooking the bay, and premium wellness and spa facilities.

Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don is set to become Bai Tu Long Bay's vibrant new lifestyle destination.

The opening of Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don completes another important piece of Bai Tu Long Bay's evolving tourism landscape, positioning the destination to welcome an entirely new generation of international travelers.

According to the developer, Phase One, comprising Tower A (The Victory) and Tower B (The Oasis), was inaugurated at the end of 2025 and is fully prepared to welcome guests throughout the Summer 2026 season.

Construction of Tower C (The Harmony) and Tower D (The Liberty) is progressing rapidly, with completion scheduled for later this year.

Upon full completion, the development will deliver more than 2,200 five-star Resort Apartments, significantly expanding Van Don's premium accommodation capacity.

This summer, Van Don Special Economic Zone will also host five major tourism events during the Reunification Day and Labor Day holiday period, including: "Van Don Awakens Summer 2026" Opening Festival, opening of the Quan Lan Island Coastal Walking Trail, opening of the Minh Chau Island Walking Trail, cultural performances, water sports, and culinary festivals, a variety of entertainment and community events,...

In addition, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don plans to develop 24/7 retail and entertainment streets, helping establish a vibrant nighttime economy for Bai Tu Long Bay, similar to successful tourism destinations such as Phuket and Bali.

Meanwhile, "The Beauty of Van Don", the premium sightseeing cruise operated by Crystal Holidays Cruise, has spent more than a year introducing travelers to the extraordinary beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay, unlocking the destination's vast tourism potential and ushering the region into a new era of sustainable tourism development.

Together, these developments are creating powerful momentum for Van Don to fulfill its ambition of becoming Northern Vietnam's premier island destination—the ideal choice for leisurely short getaways, while also emerging as an exclusive retreat for international travelers seeking pristine luxury, tranquility, authentic local culture, and the refined Eco-Luxury lifestyle that is increasingly defining premium travel worldwide./.