Van Don ready for cultural tourism in spring


The island district of Van Don has currenly tapped into its natural and cultural potential to develop its tourism sector. There are some tourist attractions that tourists and pilgrims should not miss if they are making a plan on going on spring journeys.

Cai Bau Pagoda is nestled against a mountain range and faces Bai Tu Long Bay

Over the past time, Van Don attached special importance to managing and organizing cultural activities and festivals, and promoting traditional cultural values of localities. Some relics were repaired, upgraded and embellished by socialized sources, meeting the demand for cultural, festive and spiritual activities of local people and visitors.

Cai Bau Pagoda (also known as Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery) is a temple located in Hamlet 1 of Ha Long commune, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. The monastery was built on the foundation of Phuc Linh Tu. This place has also witnessed the preemptive battle against the Yuan-Mongol invaders, laying the groundwork for the victory on the Bach Dang River in 1288.

Cai Bau Pagoda is nestled against a mountain range and faces Bai Tu Long Bay. The temple is enveloped in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, making every sound of the bell and every chant of prayers and wooden fish seem more resonant. Notably, the most impressive aspect is that within the temple, there is no practice of burning votive paper or the presence of street vendors and eateries.

Cap Tien temple
Cap Tien temple

Cap Tien Temple is a revered religious site known for its historical significance and architectural beauty. It is a place of worship and cultural heritage, attracting visitors seeking spiritual experiences.

Another place is a wooden temple that worships King Ly Anh Tong, who allowed the construction of Van Dong as a trading port in 1149. This small temple nestled at the foot of a limestone mountain brings them a sense of tranquility and peace.

By QMG Reporters 





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Dream Cruise back to Ha Long Bay after Covid-19


Drean Cruise, with about 400 foreign tourists, docked at Quang Ninh province’s Ha Long International Port this morning.

The Dream Cruise ship, belonging to Chengzhen Cruise Firm, carries about 400 tourists to Quang Ninh.

This is the first time the Dream Cruise ship has returned to Ha Long since the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the route from Sanya (China) to Ha Long (Vietnam), the cruise anchors at Ha Long International Passenger Port within 2 days.

Tourists are now doing a tour of Ha Long Bay and they will go on city tours to explore local culture and cuisine and visit some neighboring localities.

As planned, Dream Cruise will have at least 1 trip to Ha Long every week, depending on the number of tourists booking tours.

lãnh đạo sở Du Lịch tặng hoa chúc mừng du khách đến du lịch tại Quảng Ninh.
Representatives of the Department of Tourism welcomes tourists to Ha Long Bay.
Khách du lịch thích thú khi tới du lịch tại Hạ Long (Quảng Ninh)
Tourists start their tour of Ha Long city.

By Minh Duc





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Bình Ngọc, a hidden gem of pristine beauty and tranquillity


Bình Ngọc remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, making it an incredibly peaceful destination. Visitors can go camping, picnicking and swimming.

Bình Ngọc Beach stretches over 7km and connects to Trà Cổ Beach. — Photos courtesy of Móng Cái City”s Department of Culture and Information

If you are seeking a destination of pristine beauty, peace and clarity for a weekend getaway, Bình Ngọc is an ideal suggestion.

From Móng Cái City in Quảng Ninh Province, you can travel down and cross Trà Bình Bridge to reach a fork. Turning left takes you to Trà Cổ, while turning right leads to Bình Ngọc.

Your first impression of this land will be its breathtaking beauty and refreshing atmosphere. Rows of tall, green casuarinas line the spacious, clean concrete road, as if welcoming you. On the green grasslands, buffaloes leisurely graze, and white storks stand silently, waiting to catch flies.

Bình Ngọc is viewed from above.

Bình Ngọc is one of the key tourism routes in Quảng Ninh Province, namely the Hạ Long – Móng Cái – Bình Ngọc – Trà Cổ route. Along this route, visitors can explore attractions such as Móng Cái Market, Móng Cái border gate, as well as sites in Trà Cổ and Bình Ngọc. These sites include communal houses, ancient pagodas and offer opportunities for swimming in the sea as well as visits to Sa Vĩ Cape and Ngọc Cape.

Bình Ngọc Beach stretches over 7km and connects to Trà Cổ Beach. It boasts fine white sand and offers clear blue seawater throughout the year. During low tide, cars and motorbikes can drive close to the water’s edge.

One of the highlights of Bình Ngọc is a road flanked by tall, green casuarina trees.

As you gaze into the vast expanse of sea and sky, a beautiful watercolour painting unfolds before your eyes. The shades of blue gradually transition from light to dark, blending harmoniously with the colours of the sky and mountains.

Bình Ngọc remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, making it an incredibly peaceful destination. Visitors can go camping, picnicking and swimming.

One of Bình Ngọc’s highlights is a road flanked by tall, green casuarina trees. This road is known as the most poetic road in Móng Cái, for the memorable experience of cycling along it, drawing in the fresh, cool air while admiring the lush green surroundings.

Đá Đen Beach in Bình Ngọc.

To the east of Bình Ngọc at the foot of Ngọc Mountain, a picturesque arc unfolds with natural wonders like the Đá Đen area, Vụng Chè area, and Ngọc Sơn Beach. Đá Đen, nestled at the foot of Ngọc Mountain, is adorned with numerous black rocks resembling the fingers of Ngọc Mountain reaching out to embrace the beach.

Unlike other areas in the border city, Bình Ngọc exudes an unusually peaceful and quiet ambiance, evoking the sense of returning to a tranquil countryside. Apart from its natural blessings and beautiful landscapes, Bình Ngọc is also rich in cultural traditions and historical relics associated with the history of building hamlets and villages. It reflects the distinctive cultural features of fishermen in the northeast sea. Notable landmarks in Bình Ngọc include the Bình Ngọc Communal House, Thành Hoàng Temple and Gạnh Út Temple.

The most unique is the hundred-year-old Bình Ngọc Communal House, dating from the establishment of Bình Ngọc Commune in the early 20th century. This communal house serves as a testament to the area’s ups and downs throughout history. It is a place that bears witness to the historical process, conquering nature and exploring the borderlands.

Visitors join an unforgettable experience known as “A Day as a Fisherman” in Bình Ngọc.

In addition to exploring the beautiful and pristine natural landscapes, visitors can join the experience known as “A Day as a Fisherman” on Đá Đen Beach. This unique sea tourism product allows participants to immerse themselves in the life of a real fisherman, venturing out to the sea to pull nets, catch seafood, and prepare and savour traditional dishes in the manner of coastal residents.

Amidst the green trees and refreshing breezes carrying the distinctive salty tang, tourists will embrace a serene atmosphere of the vast ocean.

While visiting Bình Ngọc to appreciate its stunning scenery and engage in exciting activities, it would be a mistake to overlook the local cuisine. Bình Ngọc is renowned for its abundance of delicious seafood dishes, including shrimp, crab, fish, squid and snail.

Among the famous OCOP (One Commune One Product) products of Bình Ngọc, sweet potatoes stand out. These delectable specialties are must-try delicacies for any traveller looking to explore and experience the wonders of Bình Ngọc.

Visitors are happy with their catch.

With its unique landscape, cultural values, and convenient transportation links, Bình Ngọc tourism is poised for development.





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Co To aims to be ‘zero plastic waste’ destination


After a one-year trial period of not using single-use plastic items, Co To island has gained positive results in field of environmental protection. Coming to Co To, visitors will be able to “live green” without plastic bags, plastic waste, and see how local people develop this island district in a sustainable way.

Bãi đá Cầu Mỵ với những phiến đá xếp tầng tạo nên một cảnh quan đặc sắc. Ảnh: Hùng Sơn
The poetic beaty of Co To island (Photo: Hung Son)

Located north-east of Quang Ninh, Co To Island boasts huge potential for maritime tourism. The number of domestic and foreign visitors has been on the rise over the years.

​In order to build a sustainable green tourism environment, from September 1, 2022, the People”s Committee of Co To island district piloted regulations that tourists should not bring plastic bottles, plastic bags, and materials with risks of environmental pollution. Tourists visiting the Co To Island have been subject to a new rule: no plastic bags or single-use plastic items allowed since September 15, 2023.

Administrative bodies, schools, markets, businesses, and fishing vessels within the island district have been prohibited from using plastic bags and disposable plastic items.

To implement this regulation, authorities have set up a checkpoint at Co To Port, where transport operators, passenger trains, tourism services, and accommodations have been required to educate visitors about the new rules and replace plastic items with eco-friendly alternatives.

Dozens of trash bins have been installed at public places, beaches, and markets. Households on the island have been also provided with environmentally friendly bags to reduce the use of plastic.

By Hoang Quynh





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Malaysian travel businesses explore new tourism products in Quang Ninh


Representatives from 25 Malaysian travel companies joined a FAM trip to Quang Ninh from January 16-21 to study new tourism products.

Victoria Tourism and Malaysia”s Chinese Tourism Association sign a memorandum of understanding, establishing a long-term cooperative relationship between the two sides to promote tourist destinations in Quang Ninh province

The program was jointly held by Victoria Tourism Company, Ha Long city’s People’s Committee and the provincial Tourism Association.

At the meeting, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Tourism Department briefly introduced about the potentials and strengths of Quang Ninh tourism, short-term and long-term orientations and relevant policies.

The delegation visited Ha Long Bay’s Titov island.

This is an opportunity for Vietnamese tourism businesses in general and Quang Ninh in particular to expand cooperation with Malaysia, she highlighted.

Vice Chairman of MCTA Malaysian Tourism Association, Michael Thein, highly appreciated the potential and connectivity of Quang Ninh tourism, saying the transport infrastructure system, accommodation, tourism products and services are invested synchronously.

On this occasion, Victoria Tourism and MCTA signed a memorandum of understanding, establishing a long-term cooperative relationship between the two sides to promote tourist destinations in Quang Ninh province to attract more tourists.

By Hoang Nga





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Ha Long Bay listed among 24 travel destinations worldwide for 2024


Luxury travel experts at OvationNetwork has recently named Vietnam”s Ha Long Bay as one of the leading 24 travel destinations worldwide for 2024.

The splendid beauty of Ha Long Bay

New York-based OvationNetwork has taken note of a surge in travel demand expected for 2024. This surge is characterized by a notable preference for immersive, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences, as reported by Forbes.

In their exclusive list shared with Forbes, Ha Long Bay stands out as the sole Vietnamese destination among their top 24 travel picks for 2024.

Located in the northeast of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay covers 1,550 square kilometers, with 1,969 islands. The UNESCO-recognized area is 434 square kilometers, forming a triangle with Dau Go Island to the west, Ba Ham Lake to the south, and Cong Tay Island to the east.

Ha Long Bay has received UNESCO accolades twice before. In 1994, it was designated a natural heritage site for its natural landscape, marking Vietnam’s first recognition in this category. In 2020, it secured a second accolade for its geological and geomorphological value.

On September 16, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee added the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago to its list of world natural heritage sites. This latest recognition brings Vietnam’s tally to three natural heritages, five cultural heritages, and a mixed natural and cultural property.

Other destinations highlighted in the report by OvationNetwork comprised Sardinia in Italy, Jeju in South Korea, Goa in India, Oaxaca in Mexico, Milos in Greece, Tallinn in Estonia, and Franschhoek in South Africa, etc.

By Phuong Loan





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Binh Lieu in winter


Although Binh Lieu is endowed with a charming beauty all year-round, the district particularly strikes visitors when the winter comes.

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Sometimes snow covers rooftops in pristine white fluff at some places.

As a borderline mountainous district in the northeast of Quang Ninh, just 120km away from Ha Long City, Binh Lieu shares 43km borders with China and greatly endowned by nature with moderate climate and cool weather and fresh air all year around. This district is home to 5 ethnic groups, including Tay, Dao, San Chi, Chinese and Kinh.

The immense “heaven” of white reed grass and vast acacia and Ceylon cinnamon forests Binh Lieu have currently regarded as the most mesmerizing views in this district.

The grass field is on the side of the western border guard path which stretches to Lang Son and has the height of 700m from the sea level. And cinnamon forests are located at Dong Tam commune, beyond these woods is a scenic picture of frolicking children, kitchen smoke emitting from stilt houses, and cinnamon quills hung out to dry.

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This market features the Viet, Dao, Tay and San Chi ethnic groups.

At weekend, tourists have a chance to visit a special market of indigenous people with various conventional products and customs. As more than 90 per cent of locals are ethnic minorities such as the Tay, San Chi and Dao, the market burst with ethnic women in bright-colored traditional attire. 

Noticeably, visiting some orange gardens at the hamlets of Na Sa and Hoanh Mo, about 2 kilometers away from Hoanh Mo border gate and the big flower garden on Cao Son mountain should be new experience that tourists should try once.

Binh Lieu district has recently paid much attention to the development of  tourism services and infrastructure in harmony with local cultural characteristics,  satisfying  the increasing needs of tourists.

Various types of accomodation are now availabale to tourists. Hotels, guest houses and homestays have alrealy been legally allowed to operate. Nature-lovers are also able to make other choices, renting camping gear for example.





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Quang Ninh welcomed 170,000 tourist arrivals during New Year holiday


Quang Ninh province greeted 170,000 tourist arrivals during the New Year holiday (December 30, 2023 – January 1, 2024), representing a 60 percent increase year-on-year, the Department of Tourism has reported.

Du khách hào hứng, với những trải nghiệm thú vị tại Hạ Long.
Ha Long city welcomed two super cruise liners carrying nearly 3,700 European and American tourists on December 31, 2023.

The tourism sector earned 340 billion VND (nearly 14 million USD) in the three-day holiday, up 48% compared to the same period last year.

The world heritage site of Ha Long Bay welcomed 33,500 tourists, 25,400 of whom were international ones. 

Four and five-star hotels in Quang Ninh were also operating at close to full capacity, topping 90%.

Người dân vui tươi đón khoảnh khắc giao thừa tại khách sạn Best Western Premier Sapphire Hạ Long
Locals and tourists celebrated New Year”s Eve at the hotel of Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long.

Over 41,000 international holiday-makers visited Quang Ninh in the period, mostly from China, the Republic of Korea, India, Japan, France, and the UK.

On December 31, Ha Long city welcomed two super cruise liners carrying nearly 3,700 European and American tourists. This was one of the largest groups of visitors since October 2023.

There was also a sharp increase in the number of Chinese visitors entering Vietnam through Bac Luan II Border Gate, lifting the total of the Chinese tourists crossing the Mong Cai International Border Gate to 13,000. This is a positive result of the commence of entry and exit activities through the Mong Cai International Border Gate at the Bac Luan II Border Gate jointly launched by Mong Cai city (Vietnam) and Dongxing city in Guangxi (China) on November 29, 2023. The move has contributed to promoting the tourism and trade cooperation in border areas between the two countries.

By Duong Ha





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Top 10 activities to do while in Ha Long Bay


Joshua Chiedu, an editor of Canadian magazine – The Travel recently shared some recommendations to explore Ha Long Bay in the best way.

Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay (or Descending Dragon Bay) is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, within Quang Ninh Province. It was recognised as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1994. Ha Long Bay has stunning limestone formations and lush forests, and is one of the most ideal places to enjoy an epic seaside adventure. According to Joshua, there are many things to do in this Bay, which will surely draw visitors coming back for more. For those heading to Asia and yearning to explore this amazing destination of Vietnam, here are 10 best ways to have interesting discovery at Ha Long Bay.

10. Go kayaking

Kayaking is one of the most relaxing things to experience in Ha Long Bay. This activity will give visitors a chance to have a close look at the gigantic limestones, the views of lush forests carpeting the unique rock formations, and the endless stretches of the sea and sky just makes this nature-inclined experience a must-do in Ha Long Bay.

9. Take a cruise around the Bay

One of the top-rated activities in Ha Long Bay is going on a cruise. The adventure easily takes travellers to the numerous islands across the bay presenting them with views of thousands of limestone formations of different shapes and sizes. Visitors are recommended to take a cruise at night to see completely different scenery characterised by the moonlight and the silver colour of the water.

Sunset on Ha Long Bay (Photo: TITC)

8. Get on a local Rowboat

A rowboat is a popular mode of transportation for the locals in Ha Long Bay. Fishermen usually go by boat to get across the water and visitors who want to experience a more local and intimate relaxing time on this island, hop on one of these boats to have a closer look at the people and their culture is not a bad idea.

7. Engage in Rock Climbing

For visitors who love thrilling activities, rock climbing is a must-do activity in Ha Long Bay.

With typical topographical features, Ha Long Bay has become one of the attractive destinations for those who love mountain climbing on the sea. Visitors can do kayaking to reach the challenging but extremely interesting climbing spots.

6. Go fishing

Ha Long Bay is an ideal place to go fishing. Numerous fishing villages around Ha Long Bay so visitors can visit any of them to enjoy this experience. Cua Van, Ba Hang, and Cong Dam are some great fishing villages, Joshua highly recommended. Squids are some of the popular sea creatures in the waters of the Bay, but others such as – crabs, snails, prawns, and shrimps can also be seen in the waters.

5. Eat some seafood

Ha Long Bay is a fishing area in Vietnam, which makes seafood undeniable dishes visitors should not miss. Cha Muc – a grilled squid dish, is a must-taste dish in Halong Bay. Other delicious seafood to taste in Ha Long Bay include – fried snails and seafood noodles.

4. Explore some caves

Besides beautiful seasides, Ha Long Bay is endowed with numerous caves that present great opportunities for cave exploration. The largest cave in Ha Long Bay is Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, one of the best to see while on the bay. Luon Cave – one of the bay’s most beautiful caves can only be accessed by kayaks thereby creating more opportunities for exciting adventures. Joshua further listed a number of caves that visitors should visit, namely Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) Cave, and Dau Go (Driftwood) Cave.

3. Relax on a beach

Ha Long Bay is famous for seasides and white sandy beaches. The beaches in the Bay area are characterised by turquoise waters and sugar-white sands. Visitors can fully enjoy activities such as swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkelling. Joshua recommended going to Ban Chan Beach and Quan Lan Beach for off-the-beaten-track.

The square of October 30 in the center of Ha Long city
The square of October 30 in the center of Ha Long city

2. Visit Sun World Ha Long Park

This is a new site of recreation park, which features lots of activities ranging from – thrilling rides to exciting water slides, and towering Ferris wheels. There are also areas where visitors can explore trees, and waterfalls, as well as many other interesting attractions designed to keep visitors, written Joshua.

1. Visiting Quang Ninh Museum

Quang Ninh Museum includes 3 blocks of museum, library and convention connected together by an overhead bridge system. As the typical mineral of Quang Ninh Province is coal, the building is also inspired and built as a symbol on the most beautiful coastal road in Ha Long City. This museum presents an impressive outdoor design and an interior endowed with artefacts that cover artistic, historic, and cultural aspects of the region. Joshua said that visitors can learn about the area’s fishing lifestyle as well as the fauna and flora surrounding the province.





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