Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has held a workshop on developing the province's night-time economy, bringing together experts, researchers and tourism businesses.
At the October 1 workshop, Lam Dong vice-chairman Dinh Van Tuan said the province's combination of highlands, coastline and vast forests offered opportunities to develop a wide range of night-time products and services, from food and shopping to culture, entertainment, wellness, nature experiences and services for overnight visitors.
Provincial estimates put revenue from accommodation, food and travel services at VND 43.25 trillion (USD 1.67 billion) in 2026, while tourism revenue is expected to reach VND 71.5 trillion (USD 2.75 billion). Accommodation establishments are projected to serve more than 25 million visitors, providing a substantial market for expanding consumer spending into the night.
Visitors enjoy music aboard a Dalat night train service (Photo: Minh Hau).
According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, three areas have strong potential for tourism and services.
Dalat is the main hub, with outdoor arts and music, gong cultural exchanges, a night market and street food. However, existing night-time entertainment remains limited, with most activities centred on fairs, spontaneous street performances and conventional bars.
Highland cultural elements such as gong music, ethnic cuisine and local legends have yet to be developed into large-scale immersive or contemporary performances capable of attracting higher-spending visitors. Most visitors to Dalat at night still favour low-cost activities.
Phan Thiet, meanwhile, is one of Vietnam's leading coastal tourism centres, but its night-time economy and cultural and entertainment offerings have yet to match its potential.
Gia Nghia in western Lam Dong has distinctive tourism potential because it sits at the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark in Dak Nong and is home to rich cultural heritage among local ethnic communities, including the M'nong, Ma and Ede. Its night-time cultural, artistic and entertainment ecosystem, however, remains at an early stage.
The provincial Department of Industry and Trade has proposed piloting a managed night-time commerce model in Dalat, positioning Phan Thiet-Mui Ne as a coastal commercial and services hub, Bao Loc as a centre for tea, coffee and highland products, and other areas around their strengths in local specialities, ecology and community-based tourism.
A view of central Dalat at night (Photo: Minh Hau).
A group of experts from Vietnamese universities proposed developing night-time products around specific time slots.
From 6 pm to 8 pm, activities would focus on cultural and heritage experiences, including gong performances, Xoang dances and traditional instruments. From 8pm to 10.30 pm, large-scale immersive and multimedia shows could be staged.
After 10.30 pm, dedicated entertainment clusters could offer services such as bars, pubs, nightclubs and night spas along central streets.
The experts proposed piloting the night-time economy in suitable areas with adequate infrastructure during 2026-27. The province could then refine regulations, expand successful products and strengthen links between Dalat, Bao Loc and Binh Thuan during 2028-30.