A nine-day mega-festival has begun against the backdrop of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site
On April 25, 2026, "Ha Long Carnival 2026: Wonders Shining in a New Era" opened in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. Over nine days through May 3, 14 official events will unfold across Ha Long City, centered on October 30 Square and spanning the Bai Chay and Hon Gai areas as well as the Yen Tu spiritual and cultural tourism zone. Quang Ninh Province expects 1.3 million visitors during the period, and the main ceremony on the night of April 30 will feature national stars such as My Tam and Tung Duong.
The main ceremony (April 30) in detail: a night festival for 80,000 people
The carnival's biggest highlight is the main ceremony, held from 8:00 p.m. on April 30 at October 30 Square (Quảng trường 30 tháng 10). Designed to draw an audience of more than 80,000, it consists of the following program.
- Parade of 60 art floats: Floats depicting the history of coal-mining culture, along with parade floats staged by an international art performance troupe, will wind through the city.
- Performances by top artists: My Tam (Vietnam's pop queen), Tung Duong (a powerhouse vocalist), and Quang Hung MasterD (a dancer-singer with international popularity on TikTok) will perform.
- Fireworks show: Fireworks over Ha Long Bay will bring the ceremony to its finale.
50 cruise ships lit up: the bay becomes a canvas of light
For five nights from April 28 to May 2, the 50 cruise ships moored in Ha Long Bay will be illuminated all at once. Each vessel is decorated with LEDs and lanterns, creating a corridor of light on the water against the backdrop of the limestone karst formations. The lights come on around 6:30 p.m. after sunset and can be viewed until 10:00 p.m. Tickets for the sightseeing boats departing from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf require advance booking, and early sellouts are expected over the holiday.
The cruise industry in Ha Long Bay has rebounded sharply since COVID, andthe Vietnam National Administration of Tourism's 2026-2031 growth scenariodesignates Quang Ninh Province as a priority region. Lighting up 50 ships at once is the largest scale ever, and a production that merges with the scenery on the water is something only a natural World Heritage Site can offer.
The full nine-day event schedule
| Itinerary | Event | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/25 | Opening ceremony | Central Ha Long City | Cultural performances and the opening declaration |
| 4/26〜27 | International Food Street | Bai Chay | Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Thai cuisine and more |
| 4/27 | Traditional martial arts tournament | Hon Gai | Martial arts groups from across the country take part |
| 4/28〜5/2 | 50 cruise ships lit up | On Ha Long Bay | 6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m., five nights in a row |
| 4/29 | OCOP product fair | October 30 Square | Quang Ninh Province's One Commune One Product goods gather |
| 4/29 | Hot air balloon festival | Bai Chay | Tethered flight experiences available (paid) |
| 4/30 | Main ceremony and parade | October 30 Square | From 8:00 p.m., featuring My Tam and Tung Duong |
| 5/1 | EDM x 3D mapping night | October 30 Square | 3D projection onto buildings |
| 5/2 | Yen Tu spiritual performance | Yen Tu | A semi-epic drama themed on the spiritual practice of Tran Nhan Tong |
| 5/3 | Closing ceremony | Central Ha Long City | Wrap-up and a preview of next year |
Local reactions: voices from Quang Ninh Province, the tourism industry, and travelers
An official from Quang Ninh Province's tourism department is enthusiastic: "This year's carnival is the largest ever in both scale and production. Lighting up 50 cruise ships is an attempt seen nowhere else in the world, and we want to establish it as new nighttime tourism content for Ha Long Bay."
A hotel owner in his 50s who runs a property in Ha Long City says, "We're already fully booked from April 28 to May 2. Occupancy at accommodations in the Bai Chay area is over 95%. Bookings are coming in faster than last year's carnival."
A traveler from Hanoi (a couple in their 20s) shared their anticipation: "We came for the EDM x 3D mapping. I only ever thought of Ha Long Bay as a nature destination, but it feels like the nighttime entertainment has really filled out."
Practical information for Japanese travelers
If you're considering a visit during the Ha Long Carnival, here's what to check.
- Access: About two hours from central Hanoi to Ha Long City by expressway. There's also a route via Hai Phong.Flights to the Ha Giang area are increasingand, as that shows, northern Vietnam's transport infrastructure is on an expanding trend.
- Lodging: Hotels in the Bai Chay area are nearly full over the holiday. You may still find vacancies on the Hon Gai side. On Agoda, expect 800,000-2,000,000 VND per night (about 4,800-12,000 yen).
- Cruise: For viewing the illuminations, a sightseeing boat from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf is your best bet. Booking in advance on Klook or GetYourGuide is recommended.
- Weather: In late April to early May, Ha Long Bay sees temperatures of 28-32°C and humidity around 80%. Afternoon showers are possible, so carry rain gear and sunscreen.
Quang Ninh Province's tourism strategy: a 2026 target of 22 million visitors
The Ha Long Carnival is Quang Ninh Province's biggest event of the year, positioned as a catalyst for reaching the tourism targets the province has set for 2026.
| Indicator | 2025 actual | 2026 target | Year on year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total visitors | About 19 million | 22 million | +15.8% |
| Of which foreign visitors | About 4.3 million | 5.2 million | +20.9% |
| Tourism revenue | About 47 trillion VND | 55 trillion VND (about 209 billion yen) | +17.0% |
The discovery of a new cave at Phong Nha-Ke Bangand other developments show that tourism built on natural heritage is accelerating across Vietnam, and Ha Long Bay, too, is using the carnival to shift toward a fusion destination of "nature plus entertainment."
Summary: don't miss the nine days when Ha Long Bay's "nights" change
Ha Long Carnival 2026 offers a new experience of the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site, enjoyable not only by daytime cruise but through nighttime entertainment as well. Fifty cruise ships lit up, EDM x 3D mapping, and a live performance by My Tam: the density of events packed into nine days ranks among the top of any festival in Southeast Asia. Even if you can't make the main ceremony on April 30, the illuminations continue through May 2. If you're staying in Hanoi, visit Ha Long City on a day trip or an overnight and feel the carnival's energy for yourself. Book cruise ships on Klook or GetYourGuide, and search for accommodation in the Hon Gai area on Agoda.
