The New Era of Second Homes: Profitable Vacationing at the Heart of Van Don

In Vietnam, this trend is spreading, especially in areas undergoing dynamic changes, such as Van Don.

No longer a novel concept globally, the idea of a second home is viewed by many Vietnamese as a smart lifestyle choice, offering both spiritual enjoyment and tangible asset appreciation. Post-pandemic, the desire to reconnect with nature, seek privacy, and take control of vacation experiences has made second homes a strategic option.

Van Don: The New Northern Vacation Hotspot for Second Homes

While a few years ago, second homes were primarily located in destinations like Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, the Northern market is now witnessing the emergence of a notable location with tremendous potential: Van Don in Quang Ninh Province.

With over 473,000 tourist arrivals in Q1 2025, Van Don is experiencing impressive growth. These figures highlight the actual demand for accommodations, leisure, and exploration in this region, which abounds in potential.

Beyond its pristine natural beauty, including the breathtaking Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don is one of the few localities boasting a comprehensive strategic infrastructure system: Van Don International Airport, the Ha Long-Van Don-Mong Cai Highway, and the Ao Tien International Port. These well-planned infrastructure investments not only reduce travel time from Hanoi and neighboring provinces but also prepare Van Don to welcome domestic and international visitors with professionalism.

Along with infrastructure developments, Van Don’s tourism landscape has undergone a noticeable transformation. Where once there were only small, scattered 2-3 star hotels, large-scale, high-class resorts have now emerged, notably the Sonasea Van Don Harbor City, developed by CEO Group. These new offerings extend visitors’ length of stay and increase their spending.

This dynamic shift has opened a golden opportunity for well-planned second-home projects with clear legal frameworks and immediate profitability potential, thanks to the year-round presence of actual tourists.

Sonasea Sparkling: Flexible Vacationing with Autonomous Profitability

Amid the expanding second-home trend, one project that has captured investors’ attention is Sonasea Sparkling, a high-rise vacation condo complex in Van Don developed by CEO Group.

Inspired by the beauty of Santorini, Sonasea Sparkling embraces Mediterranean aesthetics with a liberal architectural style, predominantly white and blue, offering uninterrupted views of Bai Tu Long Bay. Each condo serves not only as a serene retreat but also as an ideal resting place for thousands of visitors annually.

The project is directly connected to a commercial street, a central square, and a range of operational seaside amenities, including a water park, a seaside pickleball court, outdoor sports facilities, kayaking, an interconnected floating house, and the Sonasea Night Market… Together, they form a comprehensive entertainment and leisure ecosystem.

Beyond its unique design, seaside location, and well-developed amenities, Sonasea Sparkling further enhances its appeal with the opening of the Sonasea Van Don Night Market, attracting over 4,000 visitors on its first night. This addition completes the experience puzzle in the area.

As Van Don’s first nighttime culinary, entertainment, and arts hub, the night market enriches visitors’ experiences, prolongs their stays, and generates a stable flow of guests, thereby increasing the rental efficiency of vacation condos and boosting investors’ profits. This competitive advantage sets Sonasea Sparkling apart from other projects.

Additionally, Sonasea Sparkling’s amenities are meticulously planned to optimize the vacation experience for all types of guests. Notably, the outdoor pool, with its open design, sits amidst the refreshing Santorini-inspired surroundings, offering an ideal space to relax under the bay’s sunny skies.

Sonasea Sparkling: A Perfect Blend of Refined Vacationing and Impressive Investment Returns

Atop the complex, a rooftop ensemble presents a rare collection of amenities: a sky bar and café for sunset viewing, a mid-air pickleball court for sports enthusiasts, a private BBQ garden for social gatherings, a meditation area amidst nature’s expanse, and a 360-degree observation deck from which to admire the entirety of Bai Tu Long Bay. Together, these amenities create an inspiring vacation space, augmenting the project’s operational value and investor appeal while affirming the new-generation second-home status of Sonasea Sparkling.

With reasonable investments ranging from VND 1.6 to 2.2 billion per unit (depending on area and location), Sonasea Sparkling (within the Sonasea Van Don Harbor City tourism and resort complex) presents an opportunity to access a “2-in-1” asset: a flexible vacation space for the family and a short-term rental investment channel, yielding stable profits thanks to the already operational tourism and entertainment ecosystem.

Beyond theoretical potential, Sonasea Sparkling demonstrates tangible financial effectiveness through concrete figures. According to preliminary calculations from operating units, with nightly rental rates ranging from VND 1.2 to 2 million (depending on the season) and an estimated occupancy rate of 70% during peak season and 30% in the low season, investors can anticipate stable monthly revenues of approximately VND 23 million, equivalent to VND 280 million annually.

Compared to an investment of approximately VND 2.2 billion for a sea-view condo, this profitability corresponds to a net profit margin of 9-10% annually, double the average of today’s rental real estate, which hovers around 4-4.5%.

Moreover, asset values are poised for significant future growth as Van Don transforms into northern Vietnam’s first special economic zone, where transportation infrastructure, preferential policies, and tourism are developing harmoniously.