Hai Phong positions itself as a safe and friendly tourism destination

Hai Phong is entering the peak summer tourism season. On weekends, major seaside resort destinations such as Cat Ba and Do Son are crowded with visitors enjoying beach activities and swimming.

This trend highlights the growing appeal of the city’s marine tourism among both domestic and international travelers. However, it also presents a challenge for local authorities in building the image of a safe, friendly, and civilized tourism destination when tourism capacity is under pressure.

The 2026 marine tourism season is also the first year that seaside resort destinations are being operated and managed under the new two-tier local government model. The role of grassroots authorities has therefore become more important, with higher expectations and responsibilities.

The “resort paradise” of Cat Ba, which has consistently attracted visitors since the beginning of the tourism season, proactively organized traffic regulation at Dong Bai Ferry Terminal. Accordingly, on weekends from May 9 to September 30, during peak hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., passenger cars and trucks are temporarily restricted from boarding ferries to Cat Ba Island in order to reduce traffic congestion.

Similarly, in Do Son, local authorities have maintained the consistent viewpoint that “to create beauty, even the smallest issues must be addressed.” This includes strict action against street vendors selling poor-quality seafood, repairing deteriorated and unsightly sea embankments, and cleaning beach environments. Although these measures may not require significant financial resources, they help strengthen tourists’ confidence in the locality’s hospitality and friendliness.

The 2026 marine tourism season in Hai Phong officially opened during the Hung Kings Commemoration holiday. However, the true peak season begins when students start their summer vacation and lasts for around three months.

Setting aside the positive figures in tourism revenue and visitor numbers recorded during recent short holidays, the coming months will bring new demands requiring local authorities, management agencies, and tourism businesses to take proactive steps and make thorough preparations.

This involves not only accommodation quality, dining services, and entertainment activities, but also ensuring the safety of tourists visiting the Port City.

The peak tourism season in northern Vietnam coincides with the rainy and storm season, posing various safety risks. Even a minor incident could lead to significant consequences and potentially damage the destination’s reputation among tourists.

For sightseeing and resort tourism in Lan Ha Bay, the lessons from the 2025 capsizing incident involving the Vinh Xanh 58 tourist boat in Ha Long Bay remain an important warning regarding vessel departure licensing, onboard safety equipment, communication systems, and emergency response skills in unusual weather conditions.

At the beaches of the Do Son Tourist Area, efforts are focused on strengthening marine rescue forces and mobilizing both residents and tourists to participate in environmental clean-up activities in response to marine waste pollution.

In 2026, the major seaside tourism destinations of Do Son and Cat Ba have set ambitious targets of attracting 4.9 million and 4.7 million visitors respectively.

To further enhance the appeal of marine tourism and develop the marine economy into a key economic sector, in addition to “hard” infrastructure investments, “soft” solutions such as safety assurance and environmental sanitation must also be prioritized.

This involves not only increasing public awareness campaigns through loudspeaker systems at beaches, but also investing in modern rescue equipment and building professional, well-trained rescue teams with sufficient personnel.

It also includes expanding the application of technology in managing tourist boats operating on bays and at sea, installing surveillance camera systems at crowded beaches and high-risk drowning areas, and ensuring beaches remain clean and beautiful at all times for visitors.

The reputation of an attractive destination is shaped not only by luxury hotels or high-quality cuisine, but also by the effectiveness of local authorities in building a safe, civilized, and friendly tourism environment.

Minh Khoi