Hai Phong welcomes early summer tourists
In the early days of summer, tourism in Hai Phong has become increasingly vibrant as visitor numbers to Do Son and Cat Ba have surged significantly. Tourism services are bustling, and accommodation occupancy rates are high.
Bustling with tourists
In the first days of June, visitor numbers at the Do Son tourist area increased noticeably. The beaches are crowded every afternoon and especially on weekends. Along the coastal road, numerous restaurants and hotels are busy welcoming guests.
Mr. Tran Van Nam, a tourist from Bac Ninh Province, said that his family chose Do Son as their summer destination this year because of its convenient travel distance, reasonable costs, and wide range of family-friendly services, particularly the water park located within the Dragon Ocean International Tourist Area.
According to Mr. Nam, the tourist area has become cleaner and more attractive, the beaches are better managed, and many new entertainment facilities have been developed. His family plans to stay for two days to combine relaxation with sightseeing around the area.
In Cat Ba, visitor numbers have also risen sharply since students began their summer vacation. At Dong Bai Ferry Terminal, the Cat Hai–Phu Long Cable Car Station, and tourist boat piers, a steady stream of visitors continues to arrive on the island.
Many accommodation facilities in central Cat Ba, as well as overnight cruise operators in Lan Ha Bay, have reported high occupancy rates on weekends. Sightseeing boats operating in Lan Ha Bay are running at full capacity to meet visitors’ demand for tourism experiences.
According to travel businesses, family groups currently account for a large share of visitors. Thanks to its proximity to Hanoi and other northern provinces, convenient travel times, and an increasingly complete tourism service network, Hai Phong remains an attractive destination for short summer holidays.
According to Mr. Pham Tri Tuyen, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of the Cat Hai Special Zone, Cat Ba welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors during the first five months of 2026, an increase of over 31% compared with the same period last year. Revenue from accommodation and food services exceeded VND 1.7 trillion, up more than 33% compared with the same period in 2025.
Based on the strong increase in visitor arrivals from the beginning of the summer season, Cat Ba is expected to welcome more than 650,000 visitors in June alone, bringing the total number of visitors in the first six months of the year to nearly 2.3 million. This provides an important foundation for the Cat Hai Special Administrative Area to achieve its tourism growth targets for 2026.
Ensuring a safe tourism environment
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In preparation for the 2026 beach tourism season, Do Son Ward and the Cat Hai Special Zone have implemented a range of measures to strengthen tourism management. Relevant authorities regularly inspect business conditions for tourism services, review unofficial swimming areas, and install warning signs at locations with potential safety risks. They also conduct inspections of rescue and emergency response operations at beaches, as well as the activities of vessels serving tourists at sea.
Public awareness campaigns promoting green tourism, environmental protection, and compliance with listed pricing regulations have been intensified. Accommodation providers, restaurants, and entertainment venues are required to improve service quality, ensure food safety, and strictly comply with legal regulations.
According to Mr. Tran Van Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the city's tourism sector has coordinated with local authorities, businesses, and relevant agencies to implement comprehensive measures aimed at maintaining a safe, civilized, and welcoming tourism environment during this year's summer season.
Key priorities include strengthening inspections of tourism-related business activities; monitoring price listings and ensuring services are sold at posted prices; guaranteeing waterway transportation safety, beach safety, and safety at entertainment venues; enhancing rescue and emergency response capabilities; and promptly addressing practices such as solicitation, overcharging, and other behaviors that could negatively affect the city's tourism image.
In addition to improving service quality, the tourism sector continues to promote destination marketing, expand the application of digital technologies to support visitors, and develop a greener, safer, and more attractive tourism environment. The goal is not only to attract large numbers of tourists but also to create positive visitor experiences, thereby enhancing the reputation and competitiveness of Hai Phong's tourism industry in the new development phase.
With its distinctive coastal and island attractions, increasingly modern infrastructure, and thorough preparations by local authorities and businesses, Hai Phong continues to affirm its position as northern Vietnam’s leading coastal tourism center, ready to welcome a new wave of visitors during this year’s summer peak season.
Nguyen Duong