A panoramic view of Ha Long International Cruise Port bustling on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year 2026, with the arrival of the luxury super cruise ships Seabourn Encore and Piano Land. (Photo: Vietnamnet)

After a ceremonial welcome with festival drums and lucky-money gifts, visitors fanned out across local attractions. Beyond admiring the world natural wonder, many joined themed city tours featuring the flower boulevard, mural street, Long Tien Pagoda for New Year blessings, the Quang Ninh Museum and coastal promenades, offering a vivid snapshot of local life.

Domestic travel demand was equally strong. By midday, about 70 boats had carried nearly 2,200 Vietnamese visitors around the bay, bringing total passenger throughput to more than 4,500 in just the first morning and signalling a vibrant start to the tourism season.

Julie and Paul Overstreet from the US, arriving on Seabourn Encore, said the warm welcome exceeded expectations, with the chance to experience traditional Tet rituals immediately after disembarking becoming a memorable highlight. They expressed hope for an enjoyable stay in Quang Ninh.

Li Jianhua from Hong Kong (China), travelling aboard Piano Land, commended the province’s professionalism and hospitality, saying Vietnam’s tourism services are increasingly approaching international standards and left a strong impression on his group.

The lively opening day reflects the growing appeal of Quang Ninh tourism. The province is refreshing its offerings with distinctive, culturally rooted experiences, including the revival of traditional three-compartment wooden boats with crimson sails that recreate historic fishing village scenes on Ha Long Bay, a product that both differentiates the destination and preserves heritage values.

Nguyen Viet Dung, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the strong turnout on Tet’s first day signals travellers’ confidence in the destination. Authorities are focusing not only on reception but also on diversifying products, from restoring traditional elements to upgrading specialised services, with the goal of positioning Quang Ninh as a high-end, globally integrated tourism hub.

Bui Quang Tuan, Deputy Executive Director of Ha Long International Cruise Port, noted that welcoming over 4,500 passengers in one morning requires higher service standards, prompting the port to develop an international-standard reception model covering infrastructure and personnel.

In 2026, the port expects about 100 cruise calls carrying more than 130,000 international visitors and aims to deliver safe, memorable experiences to maintain Quang Ninh’s standing on the luxury cruise tourism map.

On the second day of Tet, Van Don International Airport is also set to receive private charter flights bringing Japanese business delegations to the province, with the simultaneous surge in sea and air arrivals reinforcing Quang Ninh’s status as a dynamic high-end tourism centre in the region.