Quang Ninh Food Festival expected to welcome 60000 visitors

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. - Lan Ha Bay tours

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.

Source: Halong Food Festival to showcase cuisine culture and nightlife