As part of the Summer Welcoming Culture, Sports, and Tourism Week 2026, kicking off Quang Ninh's vibrant summer tourist season, for the first time a fleet of tourist boats on Ha Long Bay will present the "Waves of Light Festival" combined with music on a grand scale, creating a dazzling festival space at sea. At this point, all preparations for the program are ready to bring impressive experiences to locals and tourists.
The "Waves of Light Festival" performance mobilizes 76 steel-hulled tourist boats on Ha Long Bay, including day tour boats, overnight cruises, and restaurant boats. All tourist vessels will be illuminated with colorful electric lights combined with a 10-minute fireworks display, creating a synchronized effect with vibrant activities on shore. Notably, unlike previous tourist boat parades, this time the vessels are permitted to welcome visitors for sightseeing, experiences, and immersing themselves in the festival within a distinct, upscale ambiance.
The boats will parade along the coastal area of Ha Long Bay from April 28 to May 2, between 17:00 and 23:00. Specifically: From April 28 to 30, the parade will run from Bai Tho Bridge, past October 30 Square to Cot 5 Beach and vice versa. From May 1 to 2, the parade will travel from Ha Long International Passenger Port to Vinpearl Ha Long Hotel and vice versa. Sightseeing passenger vessels will pick up guests at Ha Long International Passenger Port and Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, then move to the assembly area.
Preparing for the "Waves of Light Festival" performance, tourist boats have inspected operational safety conditions; adorned decorations with national flags and vibrant colorful bunting; installed and supplemented LED lighting along the hulls; reviewed existing sound and illumination systems, and maintained the operational status of onboard AIS/GPS and VHF equipment. Each vessel is also equipped with Ministry of National Defence Z121 fireworks to create an impressive light spectacle across Ha Long Bay.
Mr. Tran Xuan Tho, Captain of Saquila Yacht (Saquila Hospitality JSC) shared: When learning about the "Waves of Light Festival" program, I was very thrilled, as this is an opportunity for our company to promote our vessel's image and services to tourists, while contributing with the province to developing new night tourism products on Ha Long Bay. Immediately, the company directed inspections and upgrades for the onboard lighting and sound systems, while thoroughly verifying technical safety conditions. Crew members were also trained to operate strictly according to the script, ensuring synchronization during the performance.
To ensure the event runs smoothly, especially under maritime conditions, the Department of Construction held numerous meetings with competent authorities, relevant units, and boat owners. Concurrently, it established VHF communication channels and an operational Zalo group connecting tourist boat captains with the Organizing Committee and the Command Team. The Department also urged related entities to carry out assigned tasks, guided detailed scenario implementation steps for tourist boat captains, and consolidated difficulties and obstacles to report to the Organizing Committee for direction.
Authorities developed plans to guarantee maritime safety and security, issuing notices for seagoing vessels to restrict movement along maritime channels during the performance hours of the tourist fleet. Additionally, inspections and reviews of participating tourist boats were conducted to ensure operational safety standards.
According to Mr. Tran Van Hong, Head of the Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, the association called on members to participate, deploy tourist boats for the event, and cruise to the performance area on schedule; strictly complying with guidance and traffic regulation by authorities upon request. In addition, participating vessels are required to assign a sufficient number of crew members and staff onboard, and implement safety measures for passengers, crew, and vessels throughout the performance.
"Waves of Light Festival" is one of the highlight programs of the Summer Welcoming Culture, Sports, and Tourism Week 2026, expected to contribute a fresh product to Quang Ninh's night tourism, effectively harnessing the value of Ha Long Bay - a World Natural Heritage and wonder in the coming time.
