Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh: 4 days escaping the cold near Hanoi during Tet holiday.

The 2026 New Year's holiday will last for four consecutive days, from January 1st (Thursday) to January 4th (Sunday), amidst a cold spell in the North, with chilly weather and foggy mornings. For workers in Hanoi, this is just enough time to escape the cold with a short trip to Quang Ninh or Ninh Binh, combining sightseeing, watching fireworks, and enjoying an onsen bath.

Quang Ninh: Enjoying Ha Long Bay, a countdown, and onsen amidst the cold weather.

Immediately after the announcement of the extended holiday, many people changed their New Year's plans. Ms. Thu Minh (27 years old, Hanoi) shared that she initially planned to stay in the capital with friends, but later decided to take her family to Quang Ninh: she chose this destination because the travel time is only a little over 2 hours, she doesn't have to worry about crowded trains or buses, and she can still have enough experiences from entertainment and food to relaxation.

Sun World Ha Long: Start your holiday with vibrant fun.

Located right in the heart of the Bai Chay tourist area (Ha Long), Sun World Ha Long is the perfect place to kick off your New Year's holiday with exciting activities. Dragon Park, with its array of thrilling rides, is the ideal choice for those looking to relieve stress after a year of work, from the sound of the wind whistling in your ears to the exhilarating feeling of hurtling along the tracks.

If you enjoy sightseeing and experiencing the cultural blend of Vietnam and Japan, you can take the Queen Cable Car up to Sun Hill. From above, Ha Long Bay unfolds with its limestone mountains and grey-blue waters against the winter sky. Here, you can stroll across the Koi Bridge, visit the Japanese Garden, or even transform into a "Samurai warrior" to explore the Sword Forging Village in a setting steeped in the spirit of the land of cherry blossoms.

As dusk falls, the experience of riding the Sun Wheel, at a height of over 215 meters, combined with the "Dine in the Sky" concept – a "miniature restaurant" amidst the clouds – allows you to enjoy dinner while admiring the illuminated heritage city. In the cool early year weather, the lights from the coastal roads and Bai Chay area create an interesting contrast with the tranquil atmosphere high above.

New Year's Eve in Ha Long with high-altitude fireworks.

After a day of fun, evenings in Ha Long can begin with a seafood dinner at seaside restaurants, where the aroma of grilled food, the sound of waves, and the laughter of tourists blend together. From there, you can leisurely stroll through the Vui-Fest night market at Sun Carnival Square, shop, enjoy snacks, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the year-end festivities.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at 9:30 PM on December 31, 2025, the Quang Ninh New Year's Eve Countdown program will take place at 30/10 Square (Ha Long Ward) with a high-altitude fireworks display. The program is expected to feature many artists, singers, and bands, such as People's Artist Quang Tho, Minh Tuyet, Thu Minh, Phan Manh Quynh, Binz, Do Hoang Hiep, Trung Quan Idol, etc., creating a vibrant festive atmosphere to usher in the new year.

Cold days are perfect for visiting Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh hot springs.

After the countdown night, many tourists chose to stay in Quang Ninh for another day to experience the onsen at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh. Given that, according to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, from the end of December to the beginning of the new year, the North of Vietnam is affected by cold air, with freezing temperatures in some areas and fog in the early mornings. Therefore, soaking in natural hot springs in a space imbued with the spirit of Japan becomes a suitable way to relax in this weather.

Amidst the cool air, the warmth rising from the mineral pool creates a tranquil atmosphere. This is a time for the body to relax, relieve fatigue after days of travel and fun, and also a moment of quiet reflection on the past year and planning for the new one.

Ninh Binh and Ha Nam: Music festivals and fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

Besides Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh is also a popular choice near Hanoi for the 2026 New Year holiday. Convenient transportation makes the journey easier, suitable for families with elderly people or young children who want to combine sightseeing and attending New Year's events.

A highlight of the activities in this region is the grand music festival "Ninh Binh – Aspiration for Strength and Prosperity," taking place at the festival square of Sun Urban City (Ha Nam). This large-scale event, featuring a 15-minute high-altitude fireworks display on the evening of December 31, 2025, at three locations – Ha Nam, Hoa Lu, and Nam Dinh – promises to be the focal point of the New Year celebrations in the region.

For those who enjoy combining exploration and events, you can spend the day visiting destinations in Ninh Binh, then travel to Ha Nam to attend a music festival and enjoy high-altitude fireworks. The vibrant musical atmosphere, stage lights, and dazzling fireworks displays on a cool night are a perfect way to end the old year before returning to your daily routine.

Suggested experiences for a 4-day getaway around Hanoi.

With four days, people in Hanoi can flexibly choose between dedicating the entire trip to Quang Ninh or dividing their time between Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh - Ha Nam, depending on their preferences for entertainment, onsen (hot springs), or New Year's music festivals.

Some practical notes

• It's advisable to proactively schedule your trip around important milestones such as the Quang Ninh New Year's Eve Countdown program at 9:30 PM on December 31, 2025, and the "Ninh Binh - Aspiration for a Strong and Prosperous" music festival on the evening of December 31, 2025, to avoid rushed travel.
• In Northern Vietnam, from the end of December to the beginning of the new year, the weather is cold, with some areas experiencing severe cold, and fog appearing in the early mornings. Therefore, it's advisable to prepare plenty of warm clothes, scarves, hats, and closed-toe shoes to ensure comfort while strolling along the beach, visiting night markets, or watching fireworks.
• If you plan to enjoy an onsen bath at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, you should bring appropriate swimwear and a personal towel for convenience, and also schedule time to rest after soaking in the hot springs to allow your body to recover properly.
• Destinations like Sun World Ha Long, Vui-Fest night market, or the square where countdowns and music festivals are held are usually crowded on the evening of December 31st, so plan to travel earlier and choose a suitable parking spot or transportation option.
• In foggy early mornings, sightseeing activities like riding the Queen Cable Car or the Sun Wheel may be more enjoyable during midday or afternoon when visibility is better.

The 2026 New Year's holiday, with its four consecutive days and the cool weather in the North, offers Hanoi residents a chance to change things up with a nearby trip full of experiences: having fun at Sun World Ha Long, celebrating the New Year under a fireworks display, relaxing at the Quang Hanh onsen, or immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the "Ninh Binh - Aspiration for a Strong and Prosperous" music festival.