Ha Long Carnival 2025 kicks off with dazzling showcase of heritage, innovation
Ha Long Carnival 2025 unfolded in three acts, each weaving Quang Ninh’s cultural heritage into a vivid tapestry of performance. The elaborately choreographed performances captured the spirit of local residents, invited attendees to explore the locality's breathtaking natural beauty
Quang Ninh (VNA)🦩 - The Ha Long Carnival 2025 kicked off in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 1 evening, marking a highlight of the Ha Long Summer Tourism Week.
The opening ceremony drew the presence of Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang; and National Assembly Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh. Delegations from Laos and China’s Guangxi joined thousands of professional performers and international art troupes as well as about 15,000 locals and tourists in the festive activities.
The carnival unfolded in three acts, each weaving Quang Ninh’s cultural heritage into a vivid tapestry of performance. The elaborately choreographed performances captured the spirit of local residents, invited attendees to explore the locality's breathtaking natural beauty. A parade of ornate floats, performers in traditional and carnival-inspired costumes, and pulsating DJ sets on a sprawling stage captivated the crowd. The night culminated in a breathtaking fireworks display that illuminated the bay.
Officials attend the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA)
This year’s message underscores Quang Ninh’s aspiration to position itself as a premier tourism destination where Vietnam’s and the world’s cultural treasures converge.
Vice Chairman of the Ha Long city People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Son revealed this would be the city’s final carnival under its current administrative structure, as a restructuring effective July 1 will eliminate district-level units.
The event leaned heavily into technological innovation, blending art with cutting-edge tools. Ten high-powered projectors from the US and Belgium, paired with 3D mapping, lasers, and advanced lighting, transformed Sun Carnival Plaza into a digital stage resembling Quang Ninh’s rugged landscapes. The result was a world-class production that elevated traditional storytelling into a modern spectacle, according to organisers.
This year, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 20 million visitors, including around 4.5 million foreigners, as it seeks to cement Ha Long’s status as a cultural and festival beacon in Southeast Asia./.
The Quang Ninh provincial Department of Transport has asked the administration of Ha Long city not to license the tourist vessels performing at the Ha Long Carnival 2024 to serve tourists during the programme due to safety concerns.
This year, for the first time, the Ha Long Carnival will feature performances and parades on both the sea and sandy shores of the popular UNESCO-recognised bay, as heard at a quarterly press conference of the People’s Committee of the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh on April 8.
The Ha Long Carnival 2023, themed “Ha Long Dance – Harmony of Five Continents”, opened on May 1 evening on Vo Nguyen Giap street, Ha Long city, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
