1. Why visit Quang Ninh beach for Tet?
When it comes to Tet travel, many people often think of pilgrimages, spring trips to pagodas, or returning to their hometowns for family reunions. However, in recent years, the trend of spending a part of the Tet holiday for beach tourism has become increasingly popular, especially among young families. Among these, traveling to Quang Ninh beach for Tet is considered a harmonious choice balancing relaxation, experiences, and a gentle start to the new year.
Traveling to Quang Ninh coast during Tet is a harmonious choice between relaxation, experience, and the atmosphere of the New Year. (Source: Collected)
Unlike the crowded, bustling summer, the Quang Ninh coast during Tet possesses a more serene beauty. The vast bay, pleasant weather, and slow pace of life make the trip a true break, a place where people can temporarily set aside the worries of the old year to welcome the new year with a more relaxed spirit.
1.1. The ideal time to enjoy the bay's beauty at the beginning of the year
Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) often falls during the transition between seasons, when the North still experiences the gentle cold of winter but the air of spring is already palpable. For Quang Ninh, this is a time when the sea is quite calm, and the weather is cool, making it very suitable for bay sightseeing activities.
In the early morning on Ha Long Bay during Tet, light, thin mists often appear, shrouding the overlapping limestone karsts. This scenery creates a natural picture that is both majestic and poetic, possessing a unique mystical charm not found at other times of the year. For many tourists, the mere moment of standing on the deck of a boat, breathing in the sea air at the start of the year, and admiring the bay in the early morning mist is enough to make a Tet trip to the Quang Ninh coast memorable.
1.2. Synchronized tourism infrastructure, services operating throughout Tet
One of the reasons many people feel reassured choosing to travel to the Quang Ninh coast during Tet is the synchronized development of its tourism infrastructure. Traveling to Ha Long from Hanoi and northern provinces is now very convenient thanks to the modern highway system, significantly reducing travel time.
In addition, many hotels, resorts, and luxury cruises in Quang Ninh remain operational throughout Tet with full services. New Year's Eve celebrations, spring parties, and activities for families and children are meticulously organized, allowing tourists to enjoy their vacation while maintaining the traditional Tet atmosphere in a fresher setting.
2. Notable destinations for coastal travel in Quang Ninh during Tet
2.1. Ha Long Bay – Experience cruising on a natural heritage site
Ha Long Bay is always an important highlight of any Tet trip to the Quang Ninh coast. Visiting the bay by cruise ship at the beginning of the year offers a very different feeling compared to the peak summer season. The atmosphere on board is quieter, allowing tourists more time to enjoy the scenery and feel the pristine beauty of the heritage site.
Ha Long Bay always plays a prominent highlight role in every Quang Ninh sea tourism journey during Tet. (Source: Collection)
On the cruise journey, visitors can participate in activities such as kayaking, exploring caves, enjoying sea and island scenery, or experiencing night squid fishing. These activities are not too lively but are very suitable for the atmosphere at the beginning of the year, when people seek relaxation and balance.
2.2. Bai Chay – Beach resort and entertainment
Bai Chay is the central tourist area of Ha Long, where many hotels, resorts, and entertainment services are concentrated. Although it is not the ideal season for swimming, Bai Chay during Tet is still very attractive thanks to its spacious, clean, and beautiful environment and a moderate pace of life.
Bai Chay is the central area of Ha Long, concentrating many hotels, resorts, and entertainment services. (Source: Collected)
Strolling along Bai Chay beach in the early days of the year, visitors can clearly feel the cool sea air, gentle breeze, and the peaceful scenery of the coastal city compared to usual. In the evening, this area is also quite bustling with restaurants, cafes, and a seaside walking space.
2.3. Tuan Chau Island – Entertainment and night cruises
Tuan Chau Island is a suitable destination for those who want to combine relaxation and entertainment during their Tet beach trip in Quang Ninh. The space on the island is quite secluded and quiet, yet still fully equipped with entertainment and recreational services.
Tuan Chau Island is an ideal destination for tourists who want to relax and have fun during Tet. (Source: Collected)
From Tuan Chau, tourists can join night cruise tours on the bay, enjoy dinner in a luxurious setting, and admire Ha Long sparkling when lit up. This is an experience chosen by many families and couples at the beginning of the year.
2.4. Sun World Ha Long – Sea-crossing cable car and entertainment complex
For families with young children, Sun World Ha Long is a must-visit destination in the Quang Ninh beach travel itinerary during Tet. This entertainment complex offers many activities suitable for all ages, from the sea-crossing cable car experience to indoor play areas.
Sitting in the cable car cabin, tourists can admire the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from above – a new and impressive perspective, especially in the early spring days.
Sun World Ha Long is a prominent entertainment destination, contributing to the completion of the Tet beach travel itinerary. (Source: Collected)
During Tet, Sun World Ha Long organizes a series of activities “Enjoy the Festival – Savor the Festival – Play the Festival” lasting from the 1st to the 5th day of Tet. Visitors will experience lion dances to welcome spring, lucky money at the beginning of the year, calligraphy from an ông đồ (scholar), Dong Ho painting workshops, and banh chung wrapping. Tet art minishows, xam performances, and horse racing games bring a vibrant spring atmosphere, contributing to a meaningful spring travel destination for families and visitors from all directions.
3. Suggested 3-day, 2-night itinerary for a Tet beach trip to Quang Ninh
Day 1: Travel – Ha Long Bay Cruise
The first day usually starts quite early to make the most of the time experiencing the bay. From Hanoi or nearby provinces, visitors travel to Ha Long by expressway; the convenient route makes the journey not too tiring. Upon arrival at the pier, the early year sea air brings a pleasant, cool, but very fresh feeling.
Tourists check in and board the cruise ship to begin the journey to explore the beauty of Ha Long Bay. (Source: Collected)
After checking in, tourists board the cruise ship to begin their journey exploring Ha Long Bay. The cruise ship glides gently through the blue water, taking tourists past familiar limestone islands, but in the context of Tet (Lunar New Year), the scenery seems more peaceful and serene. At noon, meals on board are usually prepared quite meticulously with fresh seafood dishes; enjoying cuisine while admiring the bay scenery creates a very relaxing experience.
The afternoon is for gentle activities such as visiting caves, kayaking in calm sea areas, or simply relaxing on the deck, sipping hot tea and admiring the bay in the early New Year's afternoon light. For many, this is the most precious moment of a Tet holiday trip to the coast of Quang Ninh, when everything seems to slow down.
In the evening, if choosing to stay overnight on the cruise ship, tourists will experience the quiet night bay atmosphere, participate in squid fishing, or enjoy a cozy dinner. If staying in Bai Chay, tourists can return to their hotel, stroll along the beach in the evening, and feel the atmosphere of the coastal city in the early spring days.
Day 2: Bai Chay – Tuan Chau – Sun World Ha Long
The second day is the ideal time to explore onshore attractions. In the morning, tourists can wake up early, take a walk on Bai Chay beach, breathe in the fresh sea air, and watch the New Year's sunrise. Although it is not the swimming season, the feeling of walking on the sand, listening to the gentle waves and the cool sea breeze still brings a unique sense of relaxation.
The second day, visitors can stroll along Bai Chay beach, breathe in the fresh air, and watch the sunrise. (Source: Compilation)
After breakfast, the journey continues with a visit to Tuan Chau island. The space on the island is quite peaceful, suitable for strolling, taking photos, and enjoying a relaxing vacation. Many visitors choose to have lunch in the Tuan Chau area before returning to the center.
The cable car experience over the sea allows tourists to admire the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay from above. (Source: Collected)
The afternoon is a more vibrant time at Sun World Ha Long. The cable car experience over the sea takes tourists up high, admiring the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay and the city from above is an unmissable highlight. At the summit, the amusement areas, Sun Wheel, and sightseeing spaces are suitable for both adults and children, especially for families traveling to the Quang Ninh coast during Tet.
In the evening, returning to Bai Chay, tourists can stroll along the beach, enjoy seafood at seaside restaurants, or simply sit at a cafe and watch the city light up in the peaceful early year atmosphere.
Day 3: Relaxation – Shopping – Departure
The last day of the journey is usually dedicated to rest and relaxation. After two days of traveling and sightseeing, the morning of the third day is when tourists can fully enjoy the amenities of their hotel or resort, have a leisurely breakfast with a sea view, and feel the slow pace of life in the coastal city.
Before returning, tourists often take the opportunity to visit specialty stores to buy Tet gifts for family and friends. Ha Long squid cake, dried squid, and dried sea worms are popular, easy-to-preserve gifts that carry the distinct flavor of Quang Ninh.
After lunch, concluding the Tet Quang Ninh coastal trip, the journey back ends with gentle, fulfilling, and emotional experiences for the early days of the new year.
4. Accommodation when traveling to Quang Ninh coast during Tet
4.1. Bai Chay Beach Hotels and Resorts
Bai Chay is the area with the highest concentration of high-class hotels and resorts in Ha Long, very convenient for travel, entertainment, and dining during Tet. Among them, some names chosen by many tourists when traveling to the Quang Ninh coast during Tet include Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, Wyndham Legend Halong, and FLC Grand Hotel Halong.
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long is located on Reu Island, offering a space completely separate from the mainland, very suitable for families or couples seeking tranquility during Tet. The resort is designed in a luxurious style, with spacious rooms, most of which have bay views. During Tet, Vinpearl often organizes New Year's Eve activities, spring parties, and festive decorations. Room prices during Tet usually range from VND 3,500,000 to VND 5,500,000 per night for a standard room, depending on the time and room category.
Wyndham Legend Halong is a suitable choice for tourists who want to stay in the center of Bai Chay. The hotel is located by the sea, convenient for walking, shopping, and moving to entertainment spots like Sun World Ha Long. The rooms are modern, many with panoramic views of Ha Long Bay, especially beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon. During Tet, room prices at Wyndham Legend Halong are usually around VND 2,800,000 – VND 4,500,000 per night, suitable for families or groups of friends.
FLC Grand Hotel Halong is located on a high hill, nổi bật with a wide view encompassing the entire bay and Ha Long city. The hotel space is spacious, with many amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, and indoor play area, very suitable for families with young children traveling to the Quang Ninh coast during Tet. Room prices during Tet here usually range from VND 2,500,000 – VND 4,000,000 per night, considered quite reasonable compared to the quality and service.
4.2. Overnight Cruises on the Bay
Besides hotels and resorts, overnight cruises on Ha Long Bay are a form of accommodation that offers a different and memorable experience, especially during the beginning of the year. Sleeping overnight on a cruise is not just about relaxation but also a complete experience journey, from bay tours, cuisine to light entertainment activities.
Popular cruises such as Paradise Cruises, Stellar of the Seas, or Ambassador Cruise usually offer 2-day 1-night or 3-day 2-night programs, including accommodation, meals, bay tour tickets, and activities like kayaking and night squid fishing. During Tet, many cruises also organize New Year's Eve parties, decorate spaces with a spring atmosphere, and offer lucky money and New Year greetings to tourists.
The price for an overnight stay on a cruise during Tet is usually higher than on normal days, but in return, it offers a quite complete experience. For a 4-star standard cruise, the price usually ranges from VND 2,000,000 – VND 2,300,000 per person per night. 5-star luxury cruises have prices around VND 2,300,000 – VND 2,600,000 per person per night, depending on the room category and itinerary. This is a very suitable choice for couples and families who want to welcome the New Year amidst a peaceful and private sea and sky space.
Traveling to the Quang Ninh coast during Tet is not just a simple vacation but also a journey to refresh emotions, starting the new year in a gentle and positive way. Amidst the peaceful bay space, moments of reunion with family or simply time for oneself become more precious than ever.