Amidst the applause and cheers of thousands of spectators, the dazzling streaks of light from the unprecedented fireworks display not only illuminated the sky and sea but also awakened the tourism industry and the night-time economy of the green island of Cat Ba.
Across the country, world-class entertainment complexes are gradually illuminating tourist destinations at night.
Vietnam possesses many attractive nighttime tourism product models that need to be replicated.
Photo: NA
The stage lights illuminate every corner of the land.
On the evening of May 30th, thousands of spectators on the green island flocked to the central square and Cat Ba beach to witness a special moment: the awarding of two Guinness World Records to the "Green Island Symphony" show – the first time in Vietnam that a show has simultaneously set two world records. The show was recognized as having the "Largest Jetski Fireworks Display in the World" and the "Most Flyboard Acrobats in a Minute". This was the first time the people of Cat Ba had witnessed such a large-scale artistic performance right on their own land.
The "Green Island Symphony" was constructed at lightning speed in just two months, transforming the previously uncharted waters of Cat Ba's central bay into a stage for an international-level sports and arts show. The project was completed simultaneously, from infrastructure and grandstands with thousands of seats to the operation of multi-tiered performance technology in the middle of the sea, bringing together nearly 40 top international athletes performing at the same time, and passing three rigorous rounds of inspection to set two unprecedented Guinness World Records. Not only Vietnamese people but also foreign visitors were overwhelmed by the scale and uniqueness of the performance.
The stands were packed with spectators during the "Green Island Symphony" performance.
Photo: NA
A visitor from Sydney, Australia shared: "I thought I was watching a CGI production, because the precision and breathtaking nature of each movement were unbelievable." The "Green Island Symphony" maintains a schedule of five performances per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) until early September. Ticket prices start from 1 million VND/ticket, with thousands of seats fully booked for every show. The same number of visitors, after watching the show, flock to the Vui-Fest Night Market to continue enjoying the vibrant atmosphere with mini-shows, games, music, and food. Right next door, two beachfront restaurants, The Forest Beach Club and The Sea Beach Club, serve visitors all day with distinctive cuisine – from fresh seafood to grilled dishes, along with Sun Kraftbeer craft beer, the first of its kind in Northern Vietnam.
In just one year, a synchronized ecosystem, from green transportation infrastructure, central squares, night markets to a chain of beachfront restaurants offering a seamless tourism experience day and night, has transformed the entire central bay of Cat Ba into the new "tourism heart" of the green island. Cat Ba has undergone a rapid transformation, becoming the new entertainment and tourism center of Northern Vietnam in the summer of 2025 with a series of unique experiences that meet the standards of entertainment and art comparable to any other country.
The success of "Green Island Symphony" immediately brings to mind the world-class show "Kiss of the Sea." Launched in Phu Quoc in January 2024, "Kiss of the Sea" marked the first appearance of a multimedia show in Vietnam, competing with previous blockbuster shows in the region and around the world such as Wings of Time in Singapore and Big O in South Korea. Similar to "Green Island Symphony," "Kiss of the Sea" overwhelms visitors with its 920 m2 water screen and 5,000-seat auditorium, earning it the Guinness World Record for the world's largest outdoor theater with a water screen and seating capacity. Currently, "The Kiss of the Sea," along with the Vui Phet (VUI-Fest) night market and the entertainment complex in the center of Sunset Town, are attracting millions of tourists to the southern part of Phu Quoc Island.
Meanwhile, Da Nang, the tourism capital of Central Vietnam, continues to maintain its appeal with a series of new and exciting entertainment experiences after sunset. Beyond the night market and pedestrian streets, Da Nang's "trump card," Ba Na Hills, is also attracting visitors to stay up later, becoming the first and only place in Vietnam where tourists can enjoy the cabaret show After Glow. Belonging to the cabaret genre – a theatrical art form originating in France in the late 19th century – After Glow embodies a spirit of freedom, transcending traditional boundaries and full of experimentation, where artists can blend music, dance, drama, and fashion in an intimate space, interacting directly with the audience. The thrilling and dramatic storyline, combined with the magical and romantic beauty of Ba Na Hills at night, has captivated thousands of visitors. Following the captivating music parties at the craft brewery atop a mountain nearly 1,500 meters high, bringing the Cabaret show to Ba Na Hills, featuring famous transgender beauty queens from Thailand, a lineup of drag queens (performers – usually male – dressed in feminine styles), and a renowned director, has breathed new life into Da Nang's nightlife entertainment scene.
"Igniting" the night-time economy.
World-class shows and well-invested nightlife entertainment complexes have officially broken the "formula" model of bars, clubs, and night markets that tourist capitals have been stuck in for years in their efforts to revitalize their nighttime economy. Art is increasingly proving to be a powerful "weapon" for Vietnam to achieve a breakthrough in tourism and ignite its nighttime economy.
The stands were packed with spectators on the opening night of the "Green Island Symphony" show.
Photo: NA
Looking at other countries, this "weapon" has been used very effectively. Last year, Singapore was Taylor Swift's only Southeast Asian destination for The Eras Tour. The American star's six exclusive performances boosted the island nation's economy and tourism. The Straits Times reported that Singapore estimated it earned $500 million in tourism revenue after six nights of performances at the Singapore National Stadium. Prior to that, The Eras Tour was estimated to generate $4 billion in net consumer spending in the US alone. In addition, the local economy also experienced strong growth thanks to tourism activities. Airfare to Singapore nearly tripled, while the number of accommodation bookings increased fivefold. Bookings for attractions and tours increased more than 23 times, while hotel searches in Singapore during The Eras Tour's ticket sales period increased 160 times compared to normal.
It's clear that world-class art performances and cultural and entertainment events not only attract visitors to buy tickets, check in, and experience them, but also stimulate spending on accommodation, food, and shopping. In Vietnam, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) is a major draw for tourists in the largest city in Central Vietnam. According to data from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the number of visitors served by accommodation establishments over the month-long DIFF 2024 event reached over 1.5 million, a 60% increase compared to DIFF 2023. The number of visitors staying overnight or visiting Ba Na Hills also saw positive growth. The occupancy rate of the Mercure French Village Ba Na Hills hotel consistently remained above 85% during peak season.
Similarly, Phu Quoc, once an island where tourists only came to sightsee, swim, and eat seafood before leaving, has completely transformed. Vibrant festivals, parties, and non-stop entertainment activities 24 hours a day from the north to the south of the island create a lively and energetic atmosphere. Not only are the shows on the island comparable in scale and quality to any tourist destination in the world, but they are also considered to have more unique content because they effectively incorporate the cultural, folk, and traditional values of Vietnam.
This is also evidenced by the more than 160% increase in the total number of visitors to the "Kiss of the Sea" show in the first eight months of the year. Every day, Sunset Town alone welcomes more than 4,000 visitors. International tourists are staying longer, sometimes for up to two weeks or even a month, and are willing to spend a lot of money on unique experiences.
Fabrizio Angelo Orlando, Global Director of Industry Affairs at Tripadvisor, stated: "After the Covid-19 pandemic, nighttime tourism is crucial for a city to thrive. Tourist habits have shifted from shopping to seeking cultural experiences and immersing themselves in the destinations they visit. Therefore, the nighttime economy will encourage them to extend their stay beyond a typical one-day visit."
Building a solid foundation for tourism to take off.
Ms. Dong Thi Ngoc Anh, Deputy General Director of Sun Group, assessed: Today's tourists are not limited to daytime sightseeing or relaxation, but desire a complete nighttime experience. This includes the need to explore local cuisine, enjoy world-class shows, shop, and immerse themselves in vibrant festival atmospheres. This is a common trend in the global tourism industry, especially among young and high-spending tourists. In fact, destinations invested in by Sun Group show a continuous increase in the number of tourists seeking nighttime experiences.
Cat Ba's central bay shines with world-class art experiences.
Photo: NA
However, looking at the country as a whole, Vietnam's nighttime products generally haven't yet created a strong brand for the destination. In Singapore, Thailand, or China, nighttime spending by tourists can account for 60-70% of their total trip budget, while in Vietnam this figure is still quite modest. This shows that there is still enormous potential for the development of Vietnam's nighttime economy.
According to Ms. Dong Thi Ngoc Anh, the night-time economy can only take off when it is built on a solid foundation. The coming years will be a pivotal time for Vietnam to invest comprehensively in infrastructure, from connecting transportation systems, safe public spaces, urban lighting, to digital infrastructure supporting promotion and smart payments. These are the factors that will help night-time tourism products operate smoothly and provide a complete experience for tourists.
In this context, leading businesses like Sun Group are always ready to create high-class night-time entertainment complexes. However, to strongly encourage investment capital, a more open and transparent policy environment is needed. Mechanisms that allow for extended nighttime operations, diversification of entertainment types, along with preferential policies, protection of rights, and streamlined procedures, will help businesses confidently invest in large-scale, long-term projects. Then, the night-time economy will not only be limited to small-scale activities like night markets or pedestrian streets, but can develop into a fully-fledged economic sector with all its components: art, food, entertainment, shopping, and high-end services.
According to a study published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the night-time economy contributes $35.1 billion annually and creates over 300,000 jobs for New York City – the world's most vibrant city. The restaurant and food sector plays a crucial role, generating $12 billion in economic value and creating 141,000 jobs annually (nighttime alone). Furthermore, the arts sector also generates significant revenue for New York at night. While New York bars may rake in billions of dollars after sunset, arts organizations, from museums and galleries to theaters, create over 18,000 jobs and generate even more revenue, further solidifying New York's reputation as the "City That Never Sleeps."
We expect that in the coming period, Vietnam will develop iconic products that are competitive both regionally and internationally. When all three elements converge – synchronized infrastructure, open policies, and systematic investment from businesses – the night-time economy will undoubtedly become a new driving force for tourism, contributing to its development as a truly leading economic sector, creating significant ripple effects for the economy and society.
Ms. Dong Thi Ngoc Anh
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thap-sang-nhung-thu-phu-du-lich-185251010175638785.htm
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