As part of the 2026 Welcome Summer Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, which marks the beginning of Quang Ninh’s vibrant summer tourism season, the tourist fleet on Ha Long Bay will present “Lightwave Festival” for the first time, combining music on a large scale to create a brilliant festival space at sea. At this time, all preparations for the program are ready to bring impressive experiences to residents and visitors.
The “Lightwave Festival” performance will mobilize 76 steel-hulled tourist boats on Ha Long Bay, including sightseeing boats, overnight boats and restaurant boats. The entire tourist fleet will be illuminated with multicolored electric lights combined with a 10-minute fireworks display, creating a synchronized effect with the lively activities on shore. In particular, unlike previous tourist boat parades, this time the boats will be permitted to serve visitors for sightseeing and experiences, allowing them to join the festival in a distinctive and sophisticated setting.
The boats will parade along the coastal area of Ha Long Bay from 28/4-2/5, between 17:00 and 23:00. Specifically, from 28-30/4, the parade will run from Bai Tho Bridge, past 30/10 Square to Cot 5 Beach and back. From 1-2/5, the parade will travel from Ha Long International Passenger Port to Vinpearl Ha Long Hotel and back. Sightseeing passenger boats will pick up visitors at Ha Long International Passenger Port and Tuan Chau International Passenger Port before moving to the assembly area.
In preparation for participating in the “Lightwave Festival,” the tourist boats have reviewed the vessels’ operational safety conditions; decorated them with the national flag and colorful flag garlands; installed and supplemented LED lights around the hulls; reviewed the existing sound systems and lighting, and maintained the operational status of the AIS/GPS and VHF equipment on board. Each boat has also prepared Z121 fireworks from the Ministry of National Defense to create an impressive light show on Ha Long Bay.
Mr. Trần Xuân Thọ, captain of the Saquila Yacht (Saquila Hospitality Joint Stock Company) shared: When I learned about the “Lightwave Festival” program, I was very excited, because this is an opportunity for our company to promote our vessel and services to visitors, while also joining the province in developing a new nighttime tourism product on Ha Long Bay. The company immediately instructed its teams to inspect and upgrade the vessel’s lighting and sound systems, while also checking all technical safety conditions. The crew was also trained to operate according to the script, ensuring synchronization during the performance.
To ensure that the program runs smoothly, especially in maritime conditions, the Department of Construction held numerous meetings with the authorities, relevant organizations and boat owners. It also established VHF communication channels and a Zalo coordination group between tourist boat captains, the Organizing Committee and the Command Team. The department also urged relevant units to carry out their assigned tasks; guided the captains of the tourist boats through the steps required under the detailed script; and compiled difficulties and obstacles for reporting to the Organizing Committee for direction.
The authorities are developing plans to ensure maritime safety and security, and notifying seagoing vessels of restricted passage on the maritime route during the hours of the tourist boat performance. In addition, they are inspecting and reviewing the tourist boats participating in the program to ensure safe operating conditions.
According to Mr. Trần Văn Hồng, head of the Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, the association has called on its members to participate, arranged tourist boats for the event and instructed them to move to the performance area at the stipulated times; they must follow the guidance and regulation of the authorities when requested. In addition, participating boats are required to arrange a sufficient number of crew members and workers on board, and take measures to ensure the safety of passengers, crew members and the vessels throughout the performance.
“Lightwave Festival” is one of the highlight programs of the 2026 Welcome Summer Culture, Sports and Tourism Week. It is expected to add a new product to Quang Ninh’s nighttime tourism offerings and make effective use of the value of Ha Long Bay, a World Natural Heritage site and natural wonder, in the coming period.
