Halong Food Festival to showcase cuisine culture and nightlife
The Quang Ninh Food Festival 2026 is
expected to attract 50,000–60,000 visitors through activities promoting
the finest regional cuisine, cultural experiences, entertainment, and
connecting tourism products.
Bringing together the culinary essence of the region, artistic
performances, and nighttime entertainment experiences, the Quang Ninh
Food Festival 2026 is expected to become a highlight of the
Autumn-Winter tourism season, contributing to attracting tourists to Ha
Long, extending their stay, and boosting consumption of services.
With the theme "Quang Ninh - A Destination Bringing Together the
Quintessence of Cuisine," the event is scheduled to take place from
November 20th to 24th, 2026 at Vui Fest Night Market, Bai Chay area.
Approximately 150 stalls will be arranged into two main spaces,
including Quang Ninh cuisine and cuisine from other provinces and cities
nationwide. Quang Ninh is expected to have 80-100 stalls, while other
localities will contribute around 50-70 stalls.
More than just a place to enjoy delicious food, the festival also aims
to introduce distinctive cultural values ??through local produce,
traditional dishes, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products.
Restaurants, hotels, cruise ships , artisans, businesses, cooperatives,
and representatives from various localities will participate in
promoting products, introducing ingredients, processing methods, and the
stories behind each dish. Through this, visitors will have the
opportunity to learn more about the culinary culture of the coastal and
mountainous regions of Quang Ninh, as well as the unique characteristics
of many regions across the country.
The highlight of the festival is a series of experiential activities
based on the theme "Enjoy - Interact - Discover." On the afternoon of
November 20th, the booths are expected to open to welcome visitors,
organize cultural exchanges, and introduce local specialties. The
opening ceremony will take place from 8 PM to 9 PM on the same day,
featuring demonstrations of preparing Ha Long squid patties , cocktail
making, tea tasting, and introductions to signature dishes. The artistic
program, activities honoring chefs and exemplary dishes, along with a
fireworks display, are expected to create a vibrant atmosphere for the
event.
From November 21st to 24th, the stalls are expected to operate
continuously from 9 AM to 11 PM, allowing visitors to proactively plan
their sightseeing and culinary experiences. Chefs will directly prepare
and introduce dishes and interact with visitors. Notably, the judging at
the festival will not only focus on flavor, technique, and presentation
but also consider the cultural story behind the dish, the quality of
service, and the ability to interact with diners. This organizational
approach contributes to making cuisine a vibrant cultural experience,
rather than simply showcasing products.
The festival's appeal is further enhanced by its integration with
entertainment activities in Bai Chay. After exploring the stalls,
visitors can continue strolling through the night market, enjoying
street music, interacting with bands, experiencing the Vui Fest
entertainment floats, and checking in at designated spots throughout the
area. The lighthouse and fireworks viewing area at Sun Marina Ha Long
are also expected to become popular stops for enjoying food, admiring
the bay view, and experiencing the festive atmosphere by the sea.
Combining culinary experiences with nighttime entertainment contributes
to a diverse itinerary, ranging from exploring local specialties in the
afternoon to enjoying entertainment and art in the evening. This
approach also aims to increase Ha Long's attractiveness beyond the peak
summer season, encouraging tourists to extend their stay and utilize
more local services.
In parallel with the activities at the event, the Quang Ninh Food
Festival 2026 is envisioned as a bridge to promote tourism products for
the Autumn-Winter season. According to the plan, businesses can
introduce destinations, tour programs, services, and special offers on
LED screens, while also providing free or discounted vouchers to
customers. Travel agencies are encouraged to include the festival in
their tour itineraries, combining culinary experiences with
accommodation, sightseeing, and experiential programs.
From this platform, tourists can combine visiting Ha Long Bay, exploring
Yen Tu, relaxing, or experiencing the unique cultural itineraries of
Quang Ninh. When cuisine is connected to the system of destinations and
services, the value of the trip lies not only in enjoying the food but
also extends to the need for accommodation, shopping, and the use of
other tourism products.
The results from last year's event show its potential to attract
visitors. The Quang Ninh Food Festival in 2025 welcomed approximately
50,000 locals and tourists over four days. In 2026, the organizers
expect to attract around 50,000-60,000 visitors.
With its expanded scale and focus on combining cuisine, culture, and
entertainment, the Quang Ninh Food Festival 2026 is expected to provide
further impetus to the Ha Long tourism market during the winter season.
Not only will it contribute to promoting the local culinary identity,
but the event will also open up opportunities for business networking,
developing integrated tour packages, and boosting service businesses ,
aiming to more effectively exploit Quang Ninh's year-round tourism
potential.
Cruise Lan Ha Bay
is a Vietnam-owned online travel agency offering a wide range of travel
services and a platform for planning and booking tours, cruises and
other travel activities. We leverage digital marketing to enhance direct
bookings and hospitality experiences.

