The number of tourists and revenue increased by 60% compared to the same period a year earlier

At the beginning of 2023, amid forecasts about global political and economic instability, the re-opening of many international destinations, and the wave of revenge tourism after the pandemic that was predicted to disappear, Quang Ninh set a target to welcome 14 million tourists, with total revenue of VND27 trillion.

Tourists swimming at Bai Chay Beach in July 2023.

However, just in the first six months, the province welcomed 8.86 million tourists, reaching 108% of the plan and 161% of the result from the same period of 2022. Total revenue from tourists was estimated to reach VND16.7 trillion, reaching 100% of the plan, equal to 156% in comparison with the same period of 2022, ranked third among localities nationwide with tourism revenue of VND10 trillion or more, just behind the two largest cities of the country – Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. The occupancy rate in resorts and luxury hotels in the province on weekends and vacations is up to 90% - 100%; yachts taking tourists to sightsee and sleep at night on Ha Long Bay are always full and so on.

All destinations, especially Ha Long City, the province's tourist center, are always exciting, even more than before Covid-19. From the beginning of July until now, Bai Chay Beach is crowded with tourists every afternoon. A large number of tourists visit the Bay and have fun at Sun World Ha Long, Quang Ninh Museum, etc. A representative of Sun World Ha Long shared that the number of tourists at this largest park complex in the North has increased 18% over the same period last year in the past six months.

Events and festivals are continuously held at Sun World Ha Long to attract tourists.

The sea and island tourist destinations in Quan Lan, Minh Chau (Van Don District), Tra Co (Mong Cai City), and Co To Island are also chosen by many tourists. In particular, in Mong Cai, the Ha Long - Van Don - Mong Cai expressway was opened to traffic at the end of last year, facilitating this border city to welcome over 1 million tourists, an increase of 170% compared to the same period a year earlier (equal to 87% of the plan for all of 2023). From the beginning of June until now, the hotels in Mong Cai have reached 100% of capacity on all weekends. Many hotels have bookings for the whole month of August.

The destination with “thousands of experiences” always is a great attraction

As an explanation for the strong growth of Quang Ninh tourism, in addition to the reason that summer is the highest season of the year, the province possesses a diverse and high-class ecosystem of tourism products, meeting and continuously increasing new experiences for tourists.

“Compared to before 2014, when Quang Ninh tourism only had seafood, swimming, and visiting the bay, currently, traveling for a week you cannot experience all the entertainment places in Quang Ninh,” said Pham Quang Vinh, a tourist from Cau Giay District, Ha Noi.

Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh has been invested in and built by Sun Group.

Many investors have gathered in Quang Ninh, including Sun Group, to build an experience paradise for tourists. Up to now, no province has outdone Quang Ninh in terms of tourism infrastructure. This is the only province currently invested by “Asia's Leading Integrated Tourism Group” (according to World Travel Awards 2022) with an international airport, international passenger port, and the longest and most modern expressway in the country.

In addition, it is a high-class resort and entertainment tourism ecosystem, with Sun World Ha Long including Queen Cable Car, the amusement park on Ba Deo Mountain, Dragon Park with a modern game system, and Typhoon Water Park with 20 water games. This complex is said to have contributed to making Ha Long the most attractive entertainment destination in the North.

In 2016, when Sun World Ha Long was opened, Quang Ninh welcomed 8.3 million tourists. By 2019, this number had nearly doubled, reaching 14 million. The average expenditure per tourist also increased by 9% compared to 2018. On the two weekends at the beginning of July, Sun World Ha Long welcomed up to 35,000 tourists, contributing significantly to Ha Long this summer, with the Sunrise festival and a unique Japanese cultural space recently launched.

Panorama of the spiritual complex of Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu on Ba Deo Hill, Ha Long.

In 2020, Sun Group started to operate two resorts in Quang Ninh, namely Premier Village Halong Bay Resort with 86 villas with 5-star facilities and the first Japanese-standardized hot mineral spring resort in Vietnam, Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, contributing to Quang Ninh tourism's growth, despite being heavily affected by Covid-19. For example, during peak days in July 2020, the province welcomed up to 100,000 tourists. Quang Ninh even welcomed tourists at the end of the year, which is low season, thanks to especially attractive tourist products in winter such as Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh.

The tourism products in the ecosystem of Sun Group in Quang Ninh also constantly innovate and supplement services to retain tourists. This summer, not only does Sun World Ha Long have more experiences to offer. Resorts such as Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort have also launched many attractive culinary and entertainment services such as 4 Seasons Food Complex including three restaurants with diverse culinary styles and Lazy Bar with a view of the bay and many entertainment activities such as the first-ever Sponge Pool Party in the North. Choosing to stay here, tourists are also given a ticket for a Japanese-standard Public Onsen mineral bath at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh in the “all-in-one” combo for only VND1,660,000 to enjoy the full classy ecosystem of Sun Group in Quang Ninh.

Japanese-standard resort at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh this summer also expands the stay experience, with 50 villas in the Yama Villa area directly connected to Quang Hanh's rare hot mineral source, designed in Japanese standard style, honoring the values, uniqueness and unique position of each tourist.

The peak of summer tourism has not yet come, with experiences constantly being added, tourism products unlike anywhere else, and the number of tourists to Quang Ninh is forecasted to continue to increase. The province’s target of 15 million tourists this year is said to be reached sooner than expected.