Ha Long Carnival 2025 celebrates Quang Ninh’s heritage through time and transformation

The opening ceremony of Ha Long Carnival 2025 drew more than 15,000 spectators. (Photo: Quang Ninh newspaper)

Held as part of the Ha Long Summer Tourism Week, the carnival showcased the province’s rich heritage, cultural vitality, and international aspirations under the theme “Connecting Heritage – Pioneering Radiance.” This year’s edition offered a powerful narrative arc, guiding spectators through Quang Ninh’s evolution — from a land of myths and cultural depth to a dynamic symbol of global integration.

Taking place at Sun Carnival Plaza in Ha Long City, 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.

This year’s show unfolded in three acts, guiding audiences through Quang Ninh’s evolution from mythical origins to its modern-day transformation. Performances such as “Heritage Carousel,” “Legends of Ha Long,” “The Sacred Yên Tử,” and “The Miner’s Footprints” vividly depicted slices of local history and cultural identity, bringing to life the province’s deep spiritual and industrial roots.

The spectacle also underscored Ha Long Carnival’s growing international status, blending tradition with technological innovation. Ten high-powered projectors from the United States and Belgium, alongside 3D mapping, laser visuals, and an advanced lighting system, turned the venue into a living canvas inspired by Quang Ninh’s dramatic natural landscapes.

Floats adorned with cultural motifs, performers in traditional and carnival-inspired costumes, and modern DJ sets created a seamless fusion of past and present. The night concluded with a dazzling fireworks display over the bay, symbolizing both celebration and ambition.

The Ha Long Carnival 2025 unfolded in three acts, each weaving Quang Ninh’s cultural heritage into a vivid tapestry of performance. (Photo: Quang Ninh newspaper)

Ha Long Carnival 2025 is the last to be held under the city’s current administrative model, as a governmental restructuring set for July 1 will dissolve district-level divisions. Vice Chairman of the Ha Long People’s Committee, Nguyen Ngoc Son, emphasized the symbolic nature of this year’s event, calling it “a proud milestone of transition and unity.”

Through its continued success and evolving scale, the carnival has contributed to enriching the cultural identity of Vietnam’s Northeast and elevating Quang Ninh’s profile on the global tourism map. In 2024, the province aims to welcome 20 million visitors, including 4.5 million international travelers.