The vision of "Breakfast in Hanoi, lunch in Ha Long, and an afternoon by the sea in Van Don" is set to become reality. On April 12, 2026, Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee is scheduled to commence construction of the Hanoi – Quang Ninh High-speed Railway - one of the province's most significant transport infrastructure projects, expected to play a strategic role in regional economic and social development.

The high-speed railway will become a powerful connectivity catalyst, unlocking tourism, resort real estate, and commercial opportunities in Van Don. (Photo: Quang Ninh Radio & Television).

Infrastructure opens new opportunities

The Hanoi – Quang Ninh High-speed Railway will feature a 120-kilometer double-track electrified railway built to the 1,435-mm standard gauge, with a maximum design speed of 350 km/h.

The railway will begin at Co Loa Station in Hanoi and terminate at the Tuan Chau Public Park area in Quang Ninh Province.

The project includes five stations: Co Loa, Gia Binh, Ninh Xa, Yen Tu, and Ha Long Xanh - as well as a maintenance depot located at Ha Long Xanh Station. Total investment is estimated at approximately VND 147.37 trillion, excluding around VND 10.27 trillion allocated by the government for land clearance and compensation. The railway is expected to become operational in 2028, reducing travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh to approximately 23 minutes.

Upon completion, Quang Ninh will possess one of Vietnam's most diversified transportation networks, significantly strengthening regional connectivity while supporting the development of satellite cities, logistics hubs, and new economic growth centers throughout Northeast Vietnam.

Among the destinations expected to benefit most is Van Don Special Zone, one of the region's emerging strategic growth poles.

Under Quang Ninh's approved 2021–2030 Provincial Master Plan, an urban railway connecting Ha Long – Cam Pha – Van Don will also be developed. Meanwhile, plans for the Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai High-Speed Railway, extending approximately 187 kilometers and connecting Vietnam with China, are progressing through feasibility studies.

Together with the existing Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai Expressway, Van Don is expected to evolve into an international transportation hub served by all four major transport modes: air, road, sea, and rail.

As travel becomes increasingly convenient, short-break tourism, resort real estate, and commercial services in Van Don are widely expected to accelerate before, during, and after completion of the railway network.

Income-generating resort real estate set for take-off

Van Don enjoys a climate that is, on average, approximately one degree Celsius cooler than much of Quang Ninh Province, while its pristine coastline and more than 600 limestone islands continue to attract both domestic and international travelers.

Despite its remarkable natural advantages, the area's tourism potential has long remained underutilized due to a shortage of premium accommodation and large-scale entertainment facilities capable of encouraging longer visitor stays.

This situation is expected to improve significantly with the opening of Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don, Everland Group's integrated tourism, resort, and entertainment complex, scheduled to welcome its first guests from April 30, 2026.

Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don is scheduled to officially welcome guests during the peak summer travel season of 2026.

Developed on a 2.6-hectare waterfront site with a total investment exceeding VND 5.6 trillion, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don comprises five towers ranging from 28 to 34 stories, together with a four-story International Convention Center.

Inspired by the image of "prosperous sails reaching toward the sea," the project features elegant neo-classical architecture designed by leading consultants including Nagecco, HBA, West Green Design, and MDL. Construction has been carried out by contractors such as Delta, Unicons, and Sing Nam, under the supervision of Artelia, while operations will be managed by Centara Hotels & Resorts, one of Thailand's leading international hospitality brands, ensuring five-star service standards.

Upon full completion, the development will provide 2,274 five-star resort apartments and hotel rooms, complemented by an integrated ecosystem of retail, dining, entertainment, wellness, convention, and lifestyle facilities.

A key highlight is the 1,500-seat International Convention Center, equipped with advanced audiovisual systems capable of hosting major domestic and international conferences, creating opportunities to attract high-value visitors while establishing Van Don as a new destination for MICE tourism.

Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don's 1,500-seat International Convention Center is expected to become a landmark venue for premium MICE tourism in the region. 

To address the shortage of high-quality tourism and entertainment services in Van Don while serving the growing number of international visitors from key markets including China and South Korea, Everland Group has invested extensively in tourism infrastructure beyond accommodation.

The Group has introduced both day cruises and overnight cruise vessels, operating sightseeing routes through Bai Tu Long Bay, including the signature "The Beauty of Van Don" itinerary connecting Ao Tien International Port with destinations such as Phat Co Island, Tay Hoi Island, and Ban Sen Island, offering visitors distinctive experiences across the bay's forests, islands, and coastal landscapes.

Together with accommodation, travel services, transportation, and destination management, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don forms a fully integrated tourism ecosystem that enhances visitor experiences while maximizing occupancy rates and generating sustainable recurring income.

Notably, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don currently offers the only premium beachfront resort apartments in Van Don with unobstructed panoramic views of Bai Tu Long Bay. These exclusive residences combine exceptional ownership value with strong long-term income-generating potential.

According to Tran Nguyet Nga, a representative of the developer: "Once travelers can reach Ha Long from Hanoi in just 23 minutes and continue to Van Don in another 20 minutes, Van Don will experience a significant surge in visitor arrivals. It also has tremendous potential to support Vietnam's rapidly growing silver economy by serving the country's approximately 17 million senior citizens."

Despite its strong operational prospects and positioning as a premium income-generating resort property, apartments at Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don remain competitively priced and are still considered to be at an early stage of their value appreciation cycle.

Combined with the advantages of Van Don's new special-zone development policies and multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments, the project is expected to benefit from substantial long-term capital appreciation.

For investors seeking stable passive income together with long-term asset growth, Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don presents a compelling investment opportunity with the potential to deliver returns exceeding conventional bank deposits while offering greater resilience against market volatility.

Source: Xay Dung Newspaper