{"id":1784,"date":"2026-04-09T11:17:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T02:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/news\/halong-carnival-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T20:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T11:00:05","slug":"halong-carnival-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/halong-carnival-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Ha Long Bay Carnival 2026 opens April 25: 60 floats and a light fleet of 50,000 people color the bay"},"content":{"rendered":"

From April 25 to May 3, 2026, the\"Ha Long Bay Carnival 2026\"<\/strong>(Carnaval Ha Long 2026) will be held around Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam. This year's theme is\"A Wonder Shining Brightly in a New Era.\"<\/em>Over nine days, 14 large-scale cultural, sports, and tourism events are concentrated, and Quang Ninh Province positions it as a catalyst for hitting its target of 22 million annual visitors (including 5.2 million international tourists).<\/p>\n

Opening ceremony: April 30 at 8 p.m., over 80,000 gather at 30\/10 Square<\/h2>\n

The carnival's highlight is the opening ceremony held at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at\"30\/10 Square (October 30 Square).\"<\/strong>Vietnam's state broadcaster (VTV) will air it live nationwide, and organizers expectover 80,000<\/strong>attendees on site. The ceremony has three parts\u2014parade, ritual, and a special stage\u2014featuring Vietnam's leading singers My Tam, Tung Duong, and Quang Hung MasterD. Add an international art troupe, and the staging weaves together the region's history as a coal-mining district with contemporary performance.<\/p>\n

Five must-see programs<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nDates<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
60-float parade<\/td>\nApril 30<\/td>\nSixty giant floats made by local communities, businesses, and international groups march along the coast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dance festival of five continents<\/td>\nApril 28 \u2013 May 2<\/td>\nInternational street dance titled \"Dance of Five Continents\" unfolds along the coastal route<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50-boat illuminated fleet<\/td>\nNight of April 30<\/td>\nFifty lit-up cruise boats sail the bay from Hon Gai Beach to Tuan Chau Port<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EDM night (with 3D mapping)<\/td>\n30\/10 Square<\/td>\nA special nighttime show of 3D projection mapping and dance music<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hot air balloon festival<\/td>\nDuring the event<\/td>\nA hot-air balloon experience to enjoy Ha Long Bay's stunning scenery from the sky<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Food and shopping are extensive too<\/h2>\n

Within the grounds there will beInternational Food Street<\/strong>and regional Vietnamese dishes and international cuisine come together in one place. AOCOP fair<\/strong>selling Vietnam's traditional crafts and local specialties is held at the same time. Traditional martial arts competitions are also planned, making it well worth seeing as a cultural experience.<\/p>\n

Points for Japanese travelers<\/h2>\n

In late April, Ha Long Bay is 25\u201330\u00b0C with somewhat high humidity, but the sea breeze is pleasant, making it a prime season for sightseeing. Hotel bookings surge during the carnival, sosecuring lodging early is essential.<\/strong>From Hanoi it's about 3\u20133.5 hours by car or bus, or just 45 minutes by seaplane. Bear in mind that the carnival opening ceremony (April 30) coincides with the Liberation Day holiday in the south, so domestic tourists will also be concentrated.<\/p>\n

For access to Ha Long Bay and nearby sightseeing spots, our article onthe surge in direct flights to Phu Quoc<\/a>also covers travel trends between northern and southern Vietnam. For Vietnamese festival information, see alsothe Hue Festival 2026 kicking off in late April.<\/a>Quang Ninh Province's growth as a tourist destination is backed up by data showingVietnam welcomes a record 6.76 million foreign visitors in Q1 2026<\/a>as much.<\/p>\n

Reactions on the ground in Vietnam<\/h2>\n

According to local media, Quang Ninh Province is drawing up a strategy to use the carnival to kick its 2026 summer season into full gear. The provincial tourism department stresses that \"this year's carnival is one of the largest ever in scale and staging,\" and the 60 floats are said to be built with designs symbolizing the region's shift from coal-mining culture to advanced technology industries. Local residents also say that \"the tourists who come every year come back during the carnival,\" and it's drawing attention as an event that further strengthens Ha Long Bay's tourism competitiveness.<\/p>\n

Summary: Head to the Ha Long Bay Carnival for Golden Week 2026<\/h2>\n

Japan's Golden Week (late April to early May) overlaps exactly with the carnival period. Along with the stunning scenery of the World Heritage Ha Long Bay, the carnival woven by the energy of over 80,000 people and 60 floats is a spectacle to experience once in a lifetime. Consider booking flights and hotels early.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong>
\nHa Long Carnival 2026 set for April 25\u2013May 3 | VietnamPlus<\/a>
\nHalong Carnival 2026 set to draw more than 80,000 attendees | DTiNews<\/a><\/p>\n

Points for Japanese travelers: how to enjoy the Ha Long Bay Carnival<\/h2>\n

Ha Long Bay is a World Heritage site and draws many Japanese travelers year-round. Lodging is expected to be crowded during the carnival, so early booking is recommended. Here are the key points for planning your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Dates<\/td>\nApril 25 \u2013 May 3, 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Venue<\/td>\nHa Long City, Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Access<\/td>\nAbout 2.5 hours by car from Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport), or about 3 hours by bus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Where to stay<\/td>\nA hotel in Ha Long City, or a day trip from Hanoi is also possible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best spots<\/td>\nAround Bai Chay Bridge and aboard a Ha Long Bay cruise boat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The carnival's main event, the nighttime light parade, can be viewed for free from vantage points along the bay. Local stalls also line up, so you can enjoy the festival while savoring banh mi and pho.<\/p>\n

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n
\n
Q. Is admission to the Ha Long Bay Carnival paid?<\/dt>\n
A. Viewing the parade is free, but some concerts and event areas may require paid tickets. We recommend checking the official site in advance.<\/dd>\n
Q. How crowded is it during Golden Week?<\/dt>\n
A. The carnival period (April 25 \u2013 May 3) overlaps with Vietnam's Golden Week (Reunification Day and May Day), so travelers from home and abroad are concentrated. We strongly recommend booking hotels 1\u20132 months in advance.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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