The Hạ Long Carnaval 2025 opens on May 1 in Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province. VNA/VNS Photos

QUẢNG NINH — The final edition of the exciting Hạ Long Carnaval officially started on May 1 in Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province.

Thousands of participants -- including both residents and visitors -- attended the 18th event's opening ceremony featuring local and international artists at the Sun Carnaval Square, with a theme of Kết nối di sản - Tiên phong tỏa sáng (Heritage Connection - Shining Pioneer).

The annual carnival is a special activity during this year's Hạ Long Summer Tourism Week. The opening ceremony programme included three parts, all of which recreated and conveyed the unique cultural features of Quảng Ninh to a large number of people: Hạ Long Heritage - Brilliant Wonder, Quảng Ninh - Heritage within Heritage, and Integration into Five Continents - Shining Pioneer.

For the first time, the Hạ Long Carnaval became a place where the nation's unique intangible cultural heritage, such as Bình Liêu then singing, Huế royal court music, Central Highlands gongs and đờn ca tài tử (southern folk music) were all featured. The variety of arts were expressed in a lively, accessible and impressive contemporary show.

Artists perform with gongs onstage at the Hạ Long Carnaval 2025's opening ceremony on May 1 in Quảng Ninh Province.

All of the music and dance performances on the stage demonstrated the spirit and reputation of Quảng Ninh people, who work hard and contribute to building an increasingly rich and civilised country. The show also helped visitors discover the beauty of the province, where majestic natural beauty blends with unique cultural values.

There were DJ performances on a large stage, with a large number of actors, artists and audience members, including visitors who joined in the vibrant electronic music party.

During the ceremony, there was also a parade of carnival floats combined with art performances and dancers in festive costumes, while a high-altitude fireworks display shone bright, helping to make a brilliant night.

According to the organisers, this year's carnival used modern technology to assist performances with contemporary art, mapping, lasers and light shows, as well as cutting-edge tech effects. All of this created an atmosphere for the festival that kept up with global trends.

"This is also the last carnival that Hạ Long City will organise, because on July 1, the district-level administrative units will end their activities," said Nguyễn Ngọc Sơn, vice chairman of the Hạ Long City People's Committee.

"The Hạ Long Carnaval is not only the pride of Quàng Ninh, but has also become a place where intangible heritage from all three regions converge, honouring national identity with the background of global natural wonders.

"Each performance told a heritage story, creating 'heritage within heritage'."

Technology, light shows and fireworks helped make the last edition of Hạ Long Carnaval a briliant event.

"We visit Hạ Long every year for the carnival. This year's event is truly elaborate, magnificent and fascinating," said Hà Nội resident Hoàng Thị Thủy.

"Hạ Long has beautiful scenery, an improved tourism environment and good transport infrastructure. However, the service and infrastructure need to be lifted to a more professional level to serve the demand. We will also visit many other tourist attractions in Quảng Ninh during this holiday."

This year, Quảng Ninh aims to welcome 20 million visitors, including about 4.5 million international tourists. Tourism stimulus programmes are expected to help attract visitors to the province to realise this goal. VNS