The pilot project for developing the night-time economy in Quang Ninh province for the period 2023-2025 was approved by the Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 2869/QD-UBND dated September 22, 2023, and implemented in the following areas: Ha Long, Mong Cai, Cam Pha, Dong Trieu, Co To Special Economic Zone, and Van Don Special Economic Zone. Based on this, the Provincial People's Committee established a Steering Committee, issued numerous directives, and assigned relevant departments, agencies, and localities to coordinate implementation, creating a foundation for the gradual formation of the night-time economy in areas with advantages in tourism, trade, and services.
The most notable highlight in the recent period has been the field of nighttime culture and arts. In 2025, Quang Ninh successfully organized 19 spectacular art programs, attracting over 800,000 attendees. In the first five months of 2026, the province also organized five major concerts, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers, such as: the Quang Ninh Countdown Concert – Welcoming the New Year 2026, the “Sounds of the New Era” Concert, and the opening concert of the Ha Long Carnival 2026… From these large-scale events, not only has the nighttime cultural space expanded, but accompanying services such as accommodation, food , transportation, and shopping have also been strongly activated in the evenings, creating a new consumption flow in urban life and tourism.
Beyond large-scale performances, many regular and recurring activities have also been established, contributing to the dynamism of the province's night economy. These include the Halong Marina Street Fest with its open festival space; the VuiFest Sun Carnival, operating daily from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM; the "Searching for the Pearl" live performance at the Dragon Pearl Cave; the night market on Halong Bay; double-decker buses; the pedestrian street in Tien Yen commune; and health and wellness tourism products in Van Don. The professional organization of these activities, ensuring security, fire safety, and food safety, has built trust among residents, tourists, and businesses participating in the night economy.
In the area of shopping and nighttime entertainment, Quang Ninh has initially created quite vibrant spaces at several key destinations. The VuiFest Ha Long coastal commercial street, night market, and entertainment complex officially opened in June 2025, featuring nearly 100 tents and 40 kiosks offering food, shopping, cultural exchange, and experiential games. Pedestrian streets in Mong Cai 1 and Tien Yen commune operate mainly from 6 PM to around 11 PM or midnight; many entertainment venues, bars, pubs, clubs, and karaoke establishments have also extended their operating hours to late at night, serving the relaxation and social needs of locals and tourists . The nighttime retail system, with 27 supermarkets, 94 convenience stores, 7 shopping malls, and 24/7 stores, also contributes to increased service capacity, especially in densely populated areas and tourist destinations.
Nighttime tourism continues to yield significant results. During the period 2023-2025, the number of visitors experiencing overnight accommodation services reached 1,760,738, including 215,007 Vietnamese tourists and 1,545,731 foreign tourists. Notably, in 2025, the number of overnight visitors to Ha Long Bay is projected to reach 646,202, a 33.38% increase compared to 2023. The percentage of revenue from nighttime tourism services compared to total revenue from Ha Long Bay tourism also increased from 33% in 2023 to 36% in 2025. This demonstrates that the nighttime economy is no longer a supporting element but has become a crucial component in the tourism value chain, contributing to increased length of stay and spending by tourists.
Nighttime culinary scenes and food services are also gradually taking shape. Along central routes such as Tran Quoc Nghien, the coastal area of Ha Long - Bai Chay, the Cam Pha - Ha Long coastal road, Hoa Binh Boulevard, or food streets like Gieng Don, Ben Doan, Ka Long, Tran Phu… many restaurants, eateries, and cafes operate until 11 PM or midnight, providing additional stopping points for tourists after art performances, entertainment, and sightseeing. Integrating OCOP products and local specialties into the culinary space not only showcases Quang Ninh's culinary culture but also supports product consumption and creates livelihoods for the people.
Along with positive results, practical experience also shows that the province's night-time economy has not yet fully exploited its potential. The scale of development areas is limited, scattered, and lacks linkages; large-scale, synchronized night-time economic complexes have not yet been formed; the quality among establishments is uneven, with many lacking investment in space, landscape, brand identity, and depth of experience. Infrastructure such as lighting, night-time transportation, parking lots, public restrooms, and supporting facilities is still lacking; products are still monotonous, lacking many unique and highly interactive experiences…
The main reasons stem from uneven awareness among different levels and sectors; the functional spatial planning for the night-time economy is not yet clearly defined; support policies are not sufficiently groundbreaking; and the human resources are still lacking in quantity and limited in skills and foreign language proficiency. In the coming time, the province will continue to review planning, create specialized spaces; attract strategic investors; prioritize infrastructure; improve mechanisms and policies; promote training for business households; and build a data and communication system to raise social awareness about the night-time economy.
It is evident that the night-time economy in Quang Ninh has shown initial positive results. As products continue to be invested in comprehensively, managed harmoniously, and operated more professionally, the night-time economy will not only add light to the city streets but also provide further impetus for Quang Ninh's growth in the coming years.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/danh-thuc-tiem-nang-kinh-te-ban-dem-3411062.html
