1. Ideal time to explore Quang Ninh during Tet
1.1. Climate and characteristics of spring in Quang Ninh
Tet is the ideal time for you to plan Quang Ninh tourist destinations, enjoy the bustling spring atmosphere, and fully explore the unique experiences of this land. The weather in Quang Ninh during this period is usually quite pleasant, with clear skies and warm sunshine making exploration activities more convenient. Especially, Ha Long Bay in this season, hidden in a light mist, possesses an unforgettable mystical beauty.
The festive atmosphere spreads across tourist spots, from the New Year's welcome program at Sun World Ha Long , art performances combining sound and light at Tuan Chau Island, to spiritual festivals at Yen Tu. The jade-green beaches and thousands of limestone islands dotted in the sea create a vibrant natural picture for the Tet occasion.
1.2. Why choose Quang Ninh tourist destinations during Tet?
The extended Tet holiday is an opportunity to explore Quang Ninh tourist destinations during Tet with many attractive activities. During this time, Yen Tu organizes spiritual festivals, and Tuan Chau Island hosts art performances along with many unique cultural and entertainment activities.
The tourism situation in Quang Ninh during Tet is clearly reflected in the numbers: Ha Long Bay welcomed over 36,000 visitors in the first 3 days of the new year, with international visitors accounting for over 90%. The total number of visitors to the province reached about 615,000, with tourism revenue up to over 1,500 billion VND. Notably, the arrival of the super yacht Celebrity Solstice on January 1, 2026, carrying over 3,000 international tourists, contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the heritage land.
The extended Lunar New Year holiday offers a perfect opportunity to explore Quang Ninh’s tourist destinations during Tet, with a wide range of exciting activities to enjoy.
2. Top 8 Must-Visit Quang Ninh Destinations During Tet
2.1. Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay, recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is one of the most popular Quang Ninh destinations during the Lunar New Year, attracting a large number of visitors each year. Many travelers opt for a 2-day, 1-night cruise to fully experience the bay’s unique and captivating landscape.
Highlights of the journey include Luon Cave, where shimmering stalactites form a striking natural masterpiece; Sung Sot Cave and Thien Cung Cave, both renowned for their mysterious and awe-inspiring beauty. Ti Top Island is an ideal spot for kayaking and swimming in crystal-clear waters, while Cua Van Floating Village offers visitors a chance to learn about the daily life of local fishermen and take part in traditional activities such as fishing and shrimp catching.
Tet itineraries on the bay often begin with a 7-hour Paradise Delight cruise. During the journey, guests enjoy a seafood lunch, explore caves in the afternoon, dine onboard in the evening, and take part in night squid fishing. An overnight stay on the cruise delivers a sense of serenity amid the open sea, allowing travelers to wake up to a misty sunrise over the bay and savor truly poetic moments.
Ha Long Bay is known as a world natural heritage and a tourist destination in Quang Ninh during Tet that attracts a large number of visitors. (Source: Collected)
2.2. Sun World Ha Long
Sun World Ha Long makes its mark with the Queen Cable Car route where visitors can admire the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from above. During New Year's Day, the park attracts about 11,000 visitors thanks to its attractive entertainment programs. Dragon Park, along with a series of modern games, blends with the bustling New Year's atmosphere, bringing a vibrant experience.
During Tet, Sun World Ha Long organizes a series of activities "Festival Fun - Festival Feast - Festival Play" lasting from the 1st to the 5th day of Tet. Visitors will experience lion dances to welcome spring, lucky money for the New Year, asking for calligraphy from a scholar, Dong Ho painting workshops, and making banh chung. Tet art minishows, Xam singing performances, and horse racing games bring a vibrant spring atmosphere, contributing to a meaningful spring travel destination for families and visitors from all directions.
If you have time, you can combine a 3-day, 2-night itinerary: The first day to visit Sun World Ha Long and Quang Ninh Museum, the second day to explore Ha Long Bay and Tuan Chau Island, and the last day to visit the sacred Yen Tu Mountain.
Sun World Ha Long makes its mark with the Queen Cable Car, where visitors can admire the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from above.
2.3. Yen Tu
Yen Tu Mountain, with an altitude of 1,068m, is a tourist destination in Quang Ninh during Tet, associated with a profound spiritual space. The experience of taking the cable car through the clouds, offering incense at the ancient Hoa Yen Pagoda, and setting foot on Dong Pagoda at the mountain peak always brings special emotions.
Tet is the appropriate time to pilgrimage to the peak of Yen Tu, where the ancient scenic relic site is chosen by many tourists for New Year visits. Many people come here to pray for health, peace, and luck in a sacred atmosphere.
Tour packages connecting Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu – Tuan Chau, lasting 3-4 days, often include transportation, accommodation, meals, and entrance tickets at reasonable prices. Especially, the Yen Tu Yellow Mai Flower Festival event during this time contributes to creating a vibrant atmosphere, adding beauty to the spring trip.
Tet is a suitable time for a pilgrimage to Yen Tu mountain peak, where the ancient scenic relic site is chosen by many tourists for visits at the beginning of the new year. (Source: Collected)
2.4. Quang Ninh Museum and Ha Long Library
Quang Ninh Museum is an outstanding architectural work that attracts many tourists. The space for history and art exhibitions, along with special exhibitions for the beginning of the year, offers an opportunity to learn about local heritage and culture and admire many precious artifacts.
This is a suitable stopover after outdoor activities, for families or those who enjoy learning about history. Additionally, the area near the museum features art cafes with views overlooking Ha Long Bay, creating a relaxing experience amidst a poetic natural setting.
2.5. Tuan Chau Island
Tuan Chau Island is known for its art performances combining sound, light, and water, bringing vivid moments to visitors. The VUI-Fest Festival with street music performance stages, light installation check-in spots, and diverse entertainment games makes this place an ideal meeting point on early spring nights.
The seaside resort with a modern marina and numerous water sports activities has made Tuan Chau an attractive Quang Ninh tourist destination for Tet for holidays with family and friends. The "Festival of Light" show and the New Year's welcome concert here are also unmissable events.
2.6. Ha Long International Passenger Port
Ha Long International Passenger Port is a unique destination for Tet as it welcomes international superyachts. The vibrant festival atmosphere with the presence of many international tourists, along with modern tourist services, creates an interesting cultural exchange environment. The passenger port is also an ideal starting point for early year tours, offering a special experience for domestic tourists.
2.7. Spiritual heritage region: Cua Ong Temple, Cap Tien Temple
Cua Ong Temple is located on a high hill, overlooking Bai Tu Long Bay, and is where Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang is worshipped. This is a Quang Ninh tourist destination for Tet with great spiritual value, often sought by many to pray for career and success in the new year.
Temples in the area organize early spring festivals with a solemn and bustling atmosphere. Visitors here can receive good fortune at the beginning of the year and immerse themselves in the sacred space. The ideal time to visit is from early morning to late afternoon, when sunlight shines on the ancient structures, highlighting the mystical beauty of the relic.
Temples in the area host early spring festivals with a solemn and bustling atmosphere. (Source: Collected)
2.8. Ha Long 1 Market and Food Street
Ha Long 1 Market along with the food street is an ideal place to experience unique local dishes, with many types of fresh seafood such as squid sausage , shrimp, crab, and various fish. The lively atmosphere of the early year market creates a colorful and exciting picture.
Here, visitors can buy dried seafood products and local specialties as meaningful gifts for their loved ones. For a diverse and reasonably priced selection, it is advisable to visit the market early in the morning when the goods are freshest.
3. Suggested Quang Ninh Travel Itinerary for Tet 3D2N/2D1N
3.1. 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary to Explore Quang Ninh during Tet
Day 1: Start the journey by traveling to Quang Ninh and checking into the hotel. In the afternoon, you will explore Sun World Ha Long, experience the cable car to admire the panoramic view of the bay from above. In the evening, visit the Quang Ninh Museum to admire the modern architecture and valuable artifacts of the heritage region.
Day 2: Join a Ha Long Bay cruise tour, enjoy a seafood lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore caves such as Luon Cave, Sung Sot Cave, try kayaking and swimming at Titop Island. In the evening, dine on the cruise while experiencing a squid fishing tour, enjoying the sparkling night view of the bay. Stay overnight on a 5-star Ha Long cruise for a memorable experience.
Day 3: In the morning, visit Yen Tu by cable car, explore spiritual sites and admire the scenery from the peak of the 1,068m high mountain. Lunchtime is for enjoying local cuisine, shopping for specialties at Ha Long 1 Market as gifts, then concluding the journey with many beautiful memories.
Discover Sun World Ha Long, experience the cable car to admire the panoramic view of the bay from above.
3.2. Notes on transportation, booking tickets, and experiences during the peak Tet season
As Tet is a time when the number of visitors increases, tours and hotel rooms are often booked in advance, travelers should book services early to have suitable options. Travel agencies offer 3-4 day tours connecting many attractive destinations at reasonable prices.
To fully enjoy the trip, you can choose to depart on days after the second day of Tet – when the number of visitors has decreased. Some providers offer economical tour combos including airfare, accommodation, meals, entrance tickets, and accompanying activities at special promotional prices.
A 3-day, 2-night itinerary for Quang Ninh tourism during Tet usually departs from Hanoi, the travel distance is 150-160 km, taking about 2.5-3 hours. Some tours also offer pick-up services at the airport or city center, which is very convenient for travelers.
4. Experience of traveling to Quang Ninh during Tet
4.1. Attire and necessary preparations for spring
Although the weather is not too cold, you should still bring a light jacket as the sea breeze can be quite strong at times. Comfortable clothing, plus swimwear for those planning to swim, will be very useful. Don't forget to prepare sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect your health when sightseeing outdoors.
Spring in Quang Ninh sometimes experiences sudden rain or strong winds towards the end of the year, therefore, you should check the weather forecast before your trip and bring a raincoat in case of need. A pair of comfortable walking shoes will be helpful for moving around and sightseeing.
4.2. Notes on customs and culture when visiting Quang Ninh in spring
When visiting Quang Ninh tourist destinations during Tet with spiritual significance such as Yen Tu or Cua Ong Temple, visitors should choose polite attire, avoid wearing short-sleeved shirts or shorts above the knee. Shoes must be removed before entering sacred areas, and incense offerings should be made with reverence.
Preserve the landscape and environment, absolutely do not litter, do not harm marine life or coral. Respect shared spaces, maintain order at attractions so that everyone can have a positive experience.
4.3. Dos and Don'ts during Tet
Proactively book rooms and services early, follow the festival schedule so as not to miss special events. It is advisable to create a flexible itinerary and prepare adequate finances as service prices during Tet may be higher than on normal days.
Avoid traveling to destinations without checking the weather forecast, do not carry excessively heavy luggage for convenience during travel. And do not wait until you arrive at the tourist destination to start planning, this can easily cause you to miss many attractive activities.
Quang Ninh tourism during Tet promises to be a perfect destination with a combination of majestic natural beauty, modern entertainment activities, and meaningful spiritual experiences. The long holiday provides a great opportunity for international and domestic tourists to 'xông đất' (first footing) and recharge for the new year in this northeastern coastal heritage region. Pack your bags and set off immediately to not miss out on wonderful experiences!
