1. What is VUI-Fest Ha Long?
1.1. Concept of a new style festival night market
VUI-Fest Ha Long is a modern nightlife entertainment complex combining dining, entertainment, and strolling in one space. (Source: Collected)
VUI-Fest Ha Long is not merely a familiar night market, but is built as a modern nightlife entertainment complex. There, dining, entertainment, or strolling are no longer separate experiences, but are "packaged" within a continuously dynamic festival space.
Unlike traditional night markets focused on shopping, this place offers the feeling of stepping into a grand event happening every night. Lights, music, stages, and crowds blend together, creating a unique rhythm – both vibrant and captivating.
The special point lies in the fact that each experience is enhanced by art and technology. From modern light shows to high-altitude fireworks, all contribute to making this place a true "nightlife destination" in Ha Long.
1.2. Location and organization space
VUI-Fest Ha Long is located in Bai Chay near Sun Carnival Square, part of Sun Elite City. (Source: Collected)
VUI-Fest Ha Long is situated at Sun Porto Town, Sun Elite City (near the Lighthouse area, Ky Quan street, Bai Chay). Thanks to its seaside location, the space here offers a very airy and "chill" feeling. During the day, this area resembles a spacious beach square. But when night falls, the entire area is "awakened" by a grand lighting, sound, and stage system.
The design concept of VUI-Fest is inspired by a modern trading port – evoking the image of bustling ancient trade while also carrying a youthful, dynamic spirit. The areas are arranged seamlessly from the main stage, food court to shopping and performance areas, allowing visitors to explore easily without interrupting their experience.
1.3. Operating Hours
VUI-Fest Ha Long officially opened on April 25th and is open daily. The ideal time to visit is from 6 PM onwards – when the lights begin to turn on, performances start, and the atmosphere gradually heats up. The later it gets, the more lively it becomes with music, crowds, and continuous performances.
2. What Makes VUI-Fest Ha Long Attractive?
2.1. Multi-Experience Space: Eat – Play – Shop
The point that makes VUI-Fest stand out is its multi-experience combination model. This is a popular trend in many international tourist destinations but is still quite new in Vietnam.
Instead of just coming to shop or eat, visitors come here to enjoy an "atmosphere". Sound, light, laughter, and excitement create a feeling like you are participating in an all-night outdoor festival. This experiential element makes VUI-Fest much more vibrant than ordinary night markets.
The food court at VUI-Fest offers a variety of local and international dishes (Source: Collected)
The food court offers a variety of local and international dishes. You can easily find stalls with fresh seafood, familiar snacks, or refreshing cold drinks.
Notably, the area near the Lighthouse is highlighted by mini-bars with a harbor style. This is an ideal spot to enjoy craft beer while taking in the sea breeze – a truly satisfying experience in the evening.
Alongside this is the shopping area with handicraft stalls, souvenirs, and many interesting trading activities. This combination creates a space that is both traditional and modern.
2.2. Spectacular Shows and Artistic Activities
Lively VUI-Fest evening with the "Long Van Khanh Hoi" 3D Mapping show projected at the Lighthouse (Source: Collected)
As night fully descends, VUI-Fest Ha Long enters its most vibrant phase with the "Prosperous Trading Port" show, held nightly at the Lighthouse area of Sun Bavaria Ha Long restaurant at 9 PM. The show is a combination of modern performance technology, light art, music, and fireworks to tell the story of a land that was once a bustling gateway for the country's trade.
The show consists of three emotional chapters. Chapter One: "Long Van Khanh Hoi" 3D Mapping show, where the legends of the heritage bay are vividly and spectacularly recreated with light technology on the Lighthouse itself.
Chapter Two: "Trading Port Memories": A light performance combined with the symbol of the Red Sail – a proud cultural image evoking the bustling and prosperous Van Don trading port of yesteryear, which was once a proud international trade gateway for the heritage land.
Chapter Three: "Sparkling Wonder Bay" artistic fireworks, illuminating the Ha Long sky with brilliant, colorful moments to look towards a future Ha Long that is modern, integrated, and continuously expanding to the vast sea.
Concluding the sublime journey of light and artistic fireworks, the sensory feast will continue with explosive DJ sets and lively music afterwards, extending the energetic vibe of the bayfront festival endlessly. Buggies are transformed into mini stages moving throughout the area, spreading music to every corner.
Come to VUI-Fest Ha Long once to experience the true meaning of a beach festival – where you can eat well, play joyfully, and live every moment to the fullest.
3. What to experience at VUI-Fest Ha Long?
3.1. Discover Ha Long's night cuisine
Cuisine is one of the reasons visitors fall in love with this place. You can start with grilled seafood such as squid, shrimp, and oysters – both fragrant and retaining the natural sweetness of the sea. These dishes are often served with green chili salt or a flavorful dipping sauce, perfect for an appetizer.
Next are specialty dishes like Banh Cuon Cha Muc (steamed rice rolls with squid cake) – a combination of soft, smooth rice rolls and crispy, flavorful squid cake. If you want a filling meal, hot seafood vermicelli is also a reasonable choice.
To end the culinary journey, you can enjoy lemon tea, milk tea, or fruit juice to cool down, or try snacks like fried potatoes and sausages.
Enjoy food at VUI-Fest Ha Long night market
3.2. Check-in the sparkling light space
The space at VUI-Fest is designed to be very "photogenic". From the decorative lighting system to the coastal areas, everything creates an ideal background for taking photos.
Whether you are alone or with friends, just raise your camera and you will immediately have festive photos. This is also why many young people consider VUI-Fest a new "virtual living spot" in Ha Long.
3.3. Participate in entertainment activities
The interesting thing is that you don't need to plan before coming here. Just wander around, and you will easily encounter street performances, animation shows, watch fireworks, see red sailboat parades, or be amazed by the elaborate 3D Mapping show. This diversity makes the experience more natural and memorable.
4. Itinerary suggestion: Full day and night
4.1. Combine with Sun World Ha Long
Tourists often combine daytime play at Sun World with evening exploration of VUI-Fest. (Source: Compilation)
A schedule chosen by many tourists is to play during the day at Sun World Ha Long and explore VUI-Fest in the evening.
In the morning, you can start gently by taking the Queen Cable Car to admire the panoramic view of the bay from above – an experience well worth trying because this perspective offers a completely different feeling compared to standing on the ground. After that, you can spend time exploring the amusement area, trying thrilling games, or simply strolling around, taking photos, and enjoying the sea air.
Lunchtime and early afternoon are for "cooling down" by resting, having a light meal, and recharging. This is also a suitable time for you to return to your hotel, change clothes, and prepare for the evening.
As the sun begins to soften, the journey continues with a completely different "version" of Ha Long – more vibrant, more brilliant at VUI-Fest. From around 6 PM, the festival atmosphere begins to "get in the mood," stalls open, music plays, and the crowd grows.
The beauty of this itinerary lies in the natural transition of emotions. Daytime experiences focus on exploration, activity, and sightseeing; while nighttime is when you can "relax," eat, play, and enjoy the festival atmosphere. These two parts complement each other, creating a journey that is not repetitive or boring.
If traveling with friends or family, this type of itinerary is even more effective because everyone can find suitable activities. Those who enjoy thrills can play to their heart's content during the day, while those who prefer to chill can spend the entire evening exploring the night market, listening to music, and admiring the sea.
4.2. A few small tips
To have a complete evening at VUI-Fest Ha Long, a little preparation beforehand will help you enjoy everything much more "smoothly."
First is the timing. You should arrive around early evening, from 6 PM to 7 PM. This is when the atmosphere is just starting to get lively, not too crowded yet, so you can comfortably stroll around, choose food, and find a good spot for photos. If you arrive too late, you can still feel the bustling atmosphere but are more likely to encounter crowds and longer waits at the stalls.
Fireworks nightly at VUI-Fest Ha Long night market.
Regarding attire, prioritizing comfort is most important. A pair of comfortable shoes will help you walk all evening without getting tired feet. If you want to "look good in photos", you can choose bright-colored outfits or ones with a little accent because the space here has a lot of lights, making it easy to create sparkling photo effects.
Additionally, prepare some cash or check online payment methods to avoid interruptions when shopping. Some stalls can be very crowded during peak hours, so quick payment also helps you save time.
If visiting on weekends or during peak tourist season, you should proactively plan ahead, even arriving earlier than usual to "secure" a good spot. These days, the festive atmosphere will be even more lively, but also more crowded, so thorough preparation will help you have a more enjoyable experience.
VUI-Fest Ha Long is not just a night market, but a completely new way to experience Ha Long when night falls. From cuisine, lights to shows, everything creates a vibrant and emotional space.
If you are planning a trip to Ha Long, don't let your evening pass by "dull". Try visiting VUI-Fest once to feel the vibrant pulse of the coastal city.
And to optimize your experience, you can completely choose a combo of playing at Sun World Ha Long during the day and exploring VUI-Fest at night – a reasonable and memorable itinerary.