If you visit Italian cities after 1 p.m., you will see an unusual scene: shops are closed and the streets are deserted. The reason is simple: people are taking a siesta, and that is the secret to a full, leisurely, and perfectly balanced life called Dolce Far Niente.
Once a hidden gem in the Gulf of Tonkin, Cat Ba is on its way to becoming one of the emerging international destinations.
Being chosen by Riot Games – the “father” of League of Legends with 650 million global players – as the setting for a TV series to be released at the end of 2025 is a golden opportunity for Cat Ba to step out into the world. This is not only a cinematic mark but also a strong boost for Cat Ba tourism, just like how many movies have completely changed the appearance of destinations around the world.
When cinema can change a destination
The history of world tourism has proven the power of cinema to turn a place into a global destination. New Zealand was once a paradise for adventurers, but when “Lord of the Rings” was released, tourists flocked to explore the real-life “Middle-earth,” nearly doubling international arrivals in a decade. The government even developed a Middle-Earth tourism strategy, making New Zealand one of the world’s most attractive movie destinations.
Bali tourism boomed after the movie "Eat, Pray, Love". Photo: Adobe Stock
In Southeast Asia, Bali exploded thanks to the movie "Eat, Pray, Love," making the island a tourist mecca for the West. According to The New York Times, the number of American visitors to Bali increased by 30% after the movie was released, while the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing noted that 20% of tourists surveyed said they came here because of the movie. Ubud - the main setting in the movie - has gone from a small town to a world-famous center for yoga, meditation and relaxation.
Cinema is not only an art of storytelling, but also a powerful tourism promotion strategy. With Cat Ba chosen as the setting for Riot Games’ film, the island has the opportunity to step onto the world tourism map in the same way that New Zealand or Bali have done.
Cat Ba and the "golden" moment to break through
Riot Games' choice of Cat Ba as the setting is not only a cinematic landmark, but also a turning point in putting the island on the international tourism map. In recent years, Cat Ba has continuously appeared in the world media. At the end of 2024, CNN aired a 30-second TVC promoting the archipelago, bringing the majestic natural images of this place to millions of international viewers. According to Agoda, Cat Ba entered the group of most searched destinations in Vietnam in early 2025, reflecting the growing interest from foreign tourists.
Foreign tourists enjoy the natural beauty of Cat Ba. Photo: Hoang Anh
What makes Cat Ba attractive to international tourists is largely its unique natural landscape. Cat Ba archipelago consists of nearly 400 large and small islands rising in the middle of the ocean, creating a picturesque landscape that is rarely found anywhere else. Among them, Lan Ha Bay possesses a poetic beauty with hundreds of limestone mountains embracing fine white sand beaches and clear blue water, once praised by the travel site Thrillist (USA) as the most beautiful destination in Vietnam.
Not only does Cat Ba have natural landscapes, it also possesses important conservation titles. In 2023, UNESCO officially recognized Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage, making it one of the global ecological icons. This is Vietnam's pioneering inter-provincial heritage, recognizing not only the beauty of the archipelago but also the diverse ecosystem with the rare Cat Ba langur, of which there are less than 80 individuals left in the world. For foreign tourists, these wild but not wild elements bring a special attraction.
Cable cars are a form of green transportation that makes Cat Ba increasingly accessible. Photo: Huy Tuan
Tourism infrastructure has also been heavily invested, making Cat Ba increasingly accessible. The three-wire cable car route across the sea shortens travel time from the mainland to just 15 minutes, while on the island, green means of transport such as electric buses and electric buggies help visitors travel conveniently and in an environmentally friendly manner.
A spectacular Jetski fireworks show will debut in Cat Ba in May. Photo: Kim Lien
Not stopping there, Cat Ba is aiming to become an international tourism and entertainment center with the Green Island Central Bay City developed by Sun Group. A series of new experiences will be launched, notably the world's largest Jetski fireworks show - "Symphony of the Green Island", invested nearly 200 billion VND, gathering the world's leading adventure sports athletes.
In addition, VUI-Fest Bazaar Night Market will bring a unique culinary and night entertainment experience, with hundreds of booths using environmentally friendly materials. Sun Bavaria Cat Ba Gastro Pub serves all-day meals with authentic German craft beer - Sun KraftBeer. The restaurant is also the most ideal place to admire the fireworks from the Green Island Symphony show. One of the highlights not to be missed is the nearly 1km long Cac Ba beach, with a unique "coconut forest" on the island, opening to welcome guests from April 30, promising to become an ideal experience in the middle of nature.
Changing but still retaining the uniqueness of its pristine natural beauty, upgrading the tourism experience to a new level, Cat Ba is ready to welcome a wave of international and domestic tourists, becoming one of the most anticipated destinations in Vietnam in the near future.
Source: https://toquocweb.dev.cnnd.vn/cat-ba-diem-den-quoc-te-tiep-theo-cua-viet-nam-20250318162707238.htm
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