1 An overview of Dolphin Palace
Located on Tran Quoc Nghien Street—the most scenic road in Ha Long City—Dolphin Palace is a provincial exhibition and cultural fair complex in Quang Ninh, inspired by dolphins frolicking in the waves of Ha Long Bay. The complex was designed by Salvador Perez Arroyo and Co-worker Joint Stock Company.
With a total investment of up to VND 1,000 billion, Dolphin Palace has left visitors with lasting impressions thanks to its unique architecture and the many exciting activities regularly held here.
From a distance, the building looks just like a dolphin playing in the waves, with a remarkably smooth, glossy finish. Behind Dolphin Palace lies the natural wonder of Ha Long Bay. The interior and exterior spaces are both extremely spacious, and are regularly used to host cultural exchange activities and domestic and international trade promotion fairs.
Address: Tran Quoc Nghien, Tuan Chau, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
See also: Keep these tips in mind for an amazing check-in hike up Bai Tho Mountain
Dolphin Palace is located on Tran Quoc Nghien Street, the most scenic road in Ha Long City. Photo: Dien Bui
Dolphin Palace has left visitors with lasting impressions thanks to its unique architecture. Photo: @louistavu
Dolphin Palace was inspired by dolphins frolicking in the waves of Ha Long Bay. Photo: @louistavu
2 How to get to Dolphin Palace
There are many ways to get to Dolphin Palace. For visitors from southern Vietnam, the distance from Van Don Airport to Quang Ninh is considerable, so you can book a flight and reach the center of Ha Long City in about an hour. Visitors traveling from the north have more options, such as taking a coach or train, or riding a motorbike if they enjoy independent, exploratory trips.
Once you arrive in the city center, you can rent a motorbike and continue to Dolphin Palace. The route is neither too long nor difficult, making it convenient to travel by private vehicle. The quickest route is to take National Highway 18 to Ha Long 2 Market. Then turn onto Tran Hung Dao Street and continue straight to CGV Vincom Plaza Ha Long. Turn left onto Tran Quoc Nghien Street and go straight for a few hundred meters; you will see Dolphin Palace.
Alternatively, you can take the route from Ha Long 2 Market to National Highway 18, pass Ha Long High School for the Gifted, and then turn left to reach your destination. If you are still unsure of the way, use Google Maps for accurate directions, or take a taxi or bus to get there safely and save time.
Visitors can choose from many ways to get to Dolphin Palace during their trip. Photo: @louistavu
Dolphin Palace is only 8km from the city center, making it very convenient for visitors to get there. Photo: @uyenbog_
3 What makes Dolphin Palace special?
3.1 Unique exhibition and display areas at Dolphin Palace
Spanning 20,700 square meters and divided into two sections—the display area and the exhibition area—Dolphin Palace is an impressive destination that you simply must not miss on your journey to explore Ha Long.
The exhibition area alone has more than 1,000 seats and over 300 booths, where visitors can relax and admire the approximately 22m-high shell-shaped vaulted architecture. To learn more about the grand arched design, head to the spacious exhibition hall, which features a breezy main lobby and seating where visitors can eat, drink, and rest.
A distinctive book model is also on display to attract more visitors. The display area is designed as a large, sweeping arc stretching from east to west, and is equipped with some of the most advanced projection technology, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city’s urban architecture through provincial and local planning proposals.
Dolphin Palace spans 20,700 square meters and is divided into two sections: the display area and the exhibition area.
3.2 A venue for many exciting events
With its intelligent, modern design and the ability to impress anyone at first sight, Dolphin Palace is frequently chosen as a venue for concerts and large-scale events. The auditorium is fully equipped with modern sound and lighting systems to help ensure that events run successfully. Its airy, elegant space and enormous capacity are among Dolphin Palace’s biggest advantages.
With its expansive space and imposing architecture, this is undoubtedly one of the most impressive attractions in Ha Long. The venue also features scale models and interactive exhibits about tourist and cultural destinations, giving visitors even more opportunities to learn. What could be better than a visit that is both fun and educational?
Dolphin Palace is frequently chosen as a venue for concerts and large-scale events.
3.3 A one-of-a-kind check-in spot for young people
The most distinctive and impressive feature of Dolphin Palace that you shouldn’t miss is its incredibly stylish photo backdrop, featuring just two colors: red and blue. It’s an ideal, super-cool photo spot for anyone who loves taking pictures for social media. Just prepare a cute outfit and find a photographer with a good eye, and you’ll be ready to strike a pose against this gorgeous backdrop.
In addition, thanks to its prime location right beside beautiful Ha Long Bay, Dolphin Palace also offers stunning photo views of nature, the sea, and the sky. Remember to bring some eye-catching outfits so your photos turn out their very best.
According to locals and reviews from previous visitors, you can come here to take photos at any time. However, early morning and dusk are the best times for a photo session. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to capture the shimmering, dreamlike sunrise or sunset over Ha Long Bay in your pictures.
The most distinctive and impressive feature of Dolphin Palace that you shouldn’t miss is its incredibly stylish photo backdrop. Photo: @kemmatchan
This is an ideal, super-cool photo spot for anyone who loves taking pictures for social media. Photo: @lilyy7699
What could be better than visiting and learning about this one-of-a-kind architectural landmark in Ha Long? This is sure to be one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable experiences on your journey to discover the beauty of this coastal city. Don’t forget to visit Quang Ninh Museum, right near Dolphin Palace, to explore another place that preserves artifacts bearing the marks of history through many ups and downs!