“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Quang Ninh Province

Location

Quang Ninh province is in the north east of the country. This is one of the rich lands with its varied terrain. You can find in Quang Ninh province the beach, the mountain, the plain and the highland. So there are many destinations impressive for you to explore.
Quang Ninh province is bordered with Hai Phong province to south, Lang Son, Hai Duong and Bac Giang provinces to the west, China to the north east and Gulf of Tonkin to the east.


  • Center city: Ha Long City.
  • Cities, town and districts: Mong Cai City, Uong Bi City, Cam Pha City, Quang Yen Town, Dong Trieu Town, Van Don District, Hoanh Bo District, Dam Ha District, Co To District, Tien Yen District, Hai Ha District, Binh Lieu District and Ba Che District.
  • Tourist places: Ha Long City, Mong Cai City, Dong Trieu Town, Van Don District, Co To District and Binh Lieu District.
  • Climate: Quang Ninh province is in the varied climate with the typical features of each area. The average temperature is from 21 to 23 C degree. It is cold from November to March and warm to hot from May to October. There is rain in the year and the best time for travelling in this province is from March to May and from August to October.
  • Transportation: Travel conveniently by land to the province and from it to other provinces.

          The distance is for reference as below:
          From Quang Ninh to Ha Noi:  155 km
          From Quang Ninh to Noi Bai Airport: 155 km
          From Quang Ninh to Hai Phong:  66 km
          From Quang Ninh to Hai Duong:  98 km
          From Quang Ninh to Bac Giang:  117 km
          From Quang Ninh to Lang Son: 169 km
  • Ethnic groups: There are more than 30 groups who live together in the province. The main groups are Kinh, Dao, Tay, San Diu, San Chay and some ethnic groups such as Nung, Muong, Thai etc.

Landscapes

  • Ha Long Bay: the famous world wonder belongs to Ha Long City. There are many islands and islets in the bay, also the caves and the beaches for you to explore.
  • Bai Tu Long Bay: located close with Ha Long Bay to the north of the bay. There are famous island that attached with this bay such as Quan Lan Island and Ngoc Vung Island.
  • Co To Island: located in the north east of the province. There are the best beaches in the North of the country such as Hong Van beach, Bac Van beach, Van Chay beach etc.
  • Bai Tho Mountain: the famous mountain with some typical destinations such as temples and pagodas. The mountain locates close with Ha Long Bay.
  • Yen Tu Mountain: this is the famous place for pilgrimage tours. Yen Tu Mountain belongs to Uong Bi City. It is far from Ha Long City about 60km.
  • Tra Co Ward: the ward belongs to Mong Cai City that far from Ha Long about 180km. There is the famous old temple and the great beach for you to explore.
  • Binh Lieu Highland: Binh Lieu is far from Ha Long city about 128 km. This is one of the new destinations in Quang Ninh province. It is called the small North West with the local terraced rice field, honey farm, local fair market and local flowers that attract all tourists.
  • Markets in the area of Mong Cai border gate: there are different markets that located closely together in the area of the border gate to China. The tourists can come to visit or come for shopping and understand more about the life of the people here. The markets are not far from Mong Cai City’s center. They are far from Ha Long City about 178km.
  • Tuan Chau Island: It is famous tourist place that not far from Ha Long City. It takes you more than 10 minutes by car to come in. The island is considered one of the best places for the beach holiday in Quang Ninh province with the resort, the beach, restaurants, beach sport and amusement park.
  • Dong Trieu Pottery Village: the village is located in Dong Trieu District that far from Ha Long City about 60km. This is the traditional pottery village where you can find the wonderful pottery products that made by local people.

And there are many other famous destinations that you may have in the tour of exploring Quang Ninh province such as the old temples, the old pagodas, the beaches, the islands and the historic relics etc.

Festivals:

  • Tra Co Temple’s Festival: This is one of the famous local festivals in Quang Ninh province. It is happened in Tra Co Temple in Tra Co District in 1st of June each lunar year.
  • The Cherry blossom festival in Ha Long: the festival is symbolized for the friendship between Quang Ninh province and Japan. It is happened in the beginning time of the year in Ha Long City.
  • Bach Dang Festival: the festival happens in Yen Giang Commune, in Yen Hung District in Quang Ninh. The time of the festival is in 8th March in lunar year to celebrate the victory of the battle in Bach Dang River in 10th century.
  • Yen Tu Festival: the pilgrimage festival for peace and happiness for the New Year in Yen Tu Mountain. The festival is happened from 10th in January to March in lunar year.

And there are many unique festivals in the province.

Local specialties

There are different local specialties in the province such as seafood, cha muc (grilled chopped squid), tom kho (dry shrimps), xoi 5 mau (sticky rice with five colors), local chicken, ruou mo Yen Tu ( Yen Tu apricot wine), ca thu 1 nang (braised mackerel), mien dong Binh Lieu (local vermicelli from Binh Lieu Highland), mat ong Binh Lieu (honey from Binh Lieu Highland), some local cakes and other local specialties.