Diversifying products and refreshing experiences are becoming important drivers for enhancing Quang Ninh tourism’s appeal. This is also a solution to increase destination value, extend stays and move toward sustainable development.
The Ha Long three-sided sailing boat tourism product is offering visitors new experiences by recreating the cultural space of a fishing village on the bay. The three-sided boats with reddish-brown sails—an image once associated with the lives of Ha Long fishermen—have been restored to take visitors along the coastal route from Bai Tho Bridge to the Provincial Planning, Fair and Exhibition Palace. In the tranquil bay setting, the leisurely journey, combined with stories about local history and culture, creates a distinctive appeal compared with traditional sightseeing tours.
Nguyen Xuan Anh, a visitor from Hanoi, shared: "From the chairs and teapot to the brown sails, everything evokes a simple, peaceful old Ha Long. The most appealing aspect of the product is not only the scenery, but also the cultural values it conveys. I hope Quang Ninh will continue developing more distinctive cultural tourism products so visitors can enjoy more new experiences."
In addition to refreshing traditional products, Quang Ninh is gradually diversifying its tourism product system based on the distinctive advantages of each locality, from marine and coastal tourism to mountainous, border, community and cultural tourism. This direction not only enhances the destination’s appeal, extends visitors’ stays and increases their spending, but also helps expand the tourism space, distribute visitor flows appropriately and create momentum for balanced tourism development across the province’s regions.
In Van Don Special Zone, the model of marine and island ecotourism linked to aquaculture in Bai Tu Long Bay is being promoted. Visitors can tour marine farming cages and rafts, experience the aquaculture process, and shop for OCOP products at floating stalls. At the same time, various water sports such as jet skis, banana boats and inflatable water parks have been introduced, meeting the needs of younger visitors and high-end holidaymakers.
Agricultural tourism is also gradually becoming a product with strong potential. Many farms, agricultural production areas and OCOP facilities are being developed into experiential destinations where visitors can tour fruit orchards, learn about specialty livestock models, participate directly in production activities, enjoy clean agricultural products and shop for local specialties.
In the eastern area, localities are leveraging their forest and mountain landscapes, natural resources and the cultural identities of ethnic minority communities to develop distinctive tourism products. Notably, Hoanh Mo Commune has launched many new products, including ecotourism combined with visits to relics and scenic sites on Cao Ba Lanh Mountain; trekking to conquer the "Dinosaur’s Backbone" and checking in at milestone 1305; exploring a heritage star anise forest more than 100 years old; and experiencing Dao herbal leaf baths. In particular, the "Cao Ly Moonlit Night" program is held regularly in autumn, featuring cultural, artistic, culinary and local experiential activities, gradually creating a distinctive mark for tourism in the border region.
Since the beginning of the year, Quang Ninh has launched nearly 40 new tourism products. This shows that the province is shifting from developing individual destinations separately to building a diverse product ecosystem centered on visitor experiences, while promoting the distinctive advantages of each locality. This is also an important solution to expand the tourism space, ease pressure on traditional destinations, increase value and improve the competitiveness of Quang Ninh tourism.
Alongside developing new products, the province is finalizing a scheme for developing the heritage economy, night tourism and cultural industries, with a vision of forming 8 distinctive heritage economic spaces. Accordingly, Ha Long - Bai Tu Long Bay will be developed into a high-end marine and island tourism center; Yen Tu will become a center for meditation, leisure and wellness tourism; Dong Trieu will promote the historical and cultural values of the Tran Dynasty; Van Don - Co To will develop marine and island ecotourism; areas inhabited by Dao, Tay and San Chi communities will develop community tourism; the Hon Gai - Cam Pha area will exploit the heritage value of the coal industry; and the ancient Van Don trading port, together with its system of traditional festivals, will be developed into distinctive cultural products.
The scheme also envisions building 6 key night-time economic spaces to create new growth momentum for the tourism industry. The Ben Doan - Cot 8 area will be developed into a cultural space featuring night tours of the Provincial Museum and artistic programs; Bai Chay - Hung Thang will become an entertainment and recreation center with a pedestrian street, live performances and music activities; Tuan Chau and Van Don will pursue a "city that never sleeps" model with a nighttime cruise street, shopping, night markets and services operating throughout the night; Mong Cai will develop a night-time economy linked to border trade; and Yen Tu will develop nighttime meditation, lantern offering and wellness products in a spiritual setting.
Accompanying these night-time economic spaces will be a diverse system of products, including cuisine, shopping, artistic performances, cultural experiences, overnight stays on the bay, sports and nighttime wellness services. These are expected to create additional momentum to extend stays and increase visitor spending, particularly among international visitors, while helping make Quang Ninh a year-round destination with a rich, high-quality product ecosystem.
