The other place of Halong tourism: Bai Tu Long Bay is a long string of islands which was created when the entire limestone plateau sank below sea level. It lies up in the north of Vietnam, in Quang Ninh Province.
Bai Tu Long Bay is just north of the beautiful Ha Long Bay region although it is much less touristy but nonetheless stunning. It is thus unpolluted and undeveloped and also comes with little tourism infrastructure, making getting about a bit tougher.
Van Don Island is one of the main highlights of Bai Tu Long Bay as it’s the first island you come to, the most developed, and is connected to the mainland by bridge. Quan Lan Island is also a popular Bai Tu Long Bay attraction, more laid back than Van Don.
Bai Tu Long National Park is a major selling point of the archipelago, a stunning region encompassing many islands that comes with many endangered species of birds and animals, along with dense jungle. You can get there by speedboat or by road from Bai Chay Beach. Other sights worth seeing in Bai Tu Long Bay are the fishing village at Minh Chau Island, Thong Thien Cave, Phat Co Island, and Cua Ong Temple. Historical and cultural sites abound.
The best way to take advantage of Bai Tu Long Bay is to get on a boat tour from Ha Long Bay, or go from Cai Rong pier on Van Don Island within Bai Tu Long Bay to the more remote islands. A day trip to Bai Tu is not enough.
Tips:
What is it? Bai Tu Long Bay is an archipelago just north of Ha Long Bay that features hundreds of islets jutting out of the water.
When to go? Between December and March for the best weather.
Nearest town: Cai Rong on Van Don Island, connected to the mainland by bridge.
Don’t miss: Bai Tu Long National Park, within the archipelago.
Factoid: Bai Tu Long Bay is a limestone plateau that sank to be enveloped by the sea and stretches 100kms south to north at the Chinese sea border.
Bai Tu Long Bay Tourist attractions:
Quan Lan Island is part of Bai Tu Long Bay, a stunning laid back archipelago to the north of Ha Long Bay. This island boasts some of the nicest beaches in the entire bay area.
Quan Lan Island:
The archipelago lies within the verdant Quang Ninh Province and Quan Lan Island is one of the more relaxed retreats here. High hills run from the Van Don Range to Got Mount, which protect several little hamlets. The long slender island also has several kilometers of attractive sandy beaches on each side.
There also has many archaeological sites and pagodas, including Quan Lan Pagoda which is the most high profile pagoda on Quan Lan Island, dedicated to both God Lieu Hanh and Buddha. The 18th century Quan Lan Communal House is also a popular tourist attraction, and glass making is all around.
Van Don Island:
Van Don Island in Quang Ninh Province is the largest of the islands in the Bai Tu Long Bay archipelago, which is very close to the world famous Ha Long Bay.
The best thing about Van Don Island, apart from its fantastic beaches and beautiful countryside, is the distinct lack of over development when compared with other places in the region. Despite this, Van Don Island is the most developed and most populated in the Bai Tu Long Bay, featuring hundreds of thousands of various ethnic minorities, including San Diu, Dao, Kinh, Cao Lan, and Muong.
Van Don Island has a 35-kilometer coastline which includes Long Beach (Bai Dai Beach) on the south side. There is some good snorkeling just offshore with plenty of karst rock formations similar to those found on Ha Long Bay. The main town on Van Don Island is Cai Rong, which is the first place you come to when crossing over onto the island.
Tra Ban Island:
Tra Ban Island in Quang Ninh Province is one of the smaller, quieter islands of the beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay archipelago to the north of Ha Long Bay. People come here for the serenity and butterflies.
Tra Ban is right next to Bai Tu Long National Park. It comes with some of the most dramatic limestone karts scenery of anywhere and also a distinct lack of the tourist hordes that can be seen on Cat Ba Island in Ha Long Bay. Tra Ban Island is also one of dense jungle and is especially renowned for its huge range of colorful butterflies.
Many people interested in visiting Tra Ban Island also visit nearby Bai Tu Long National Park, which encompasses many islands in the area. This park is one of the most outstanding in the region featuring jaw dropping land and seascapes, along with beaches and archaeological sites.
Tips:
What is it? A small island in the Bai Tu Long Bay group famed for its butterflies.
When to go? December through March for the driest, coolest weather.
Nearest town: Cai Rong on Van Don Island.
Ngoc Vung Island:
Ngoc Vung Island is a stunning island in the Ha Long Bay area of Quang Ninh Province, northeast Vietnam. Widely known as Gem Island is has great swimming and seafood.
Ngoc Vung Island is 30kms off the coast between Phoenix Island and Net Islet in the Van Don District. The main attraction on Ngoc Vung Island is its three-kilometer beach of sparkling white sands and clear waters located on the east side of the island. Ho Chi Minh stood under the large benjamin fig tree on this beach and made a speech in 1962.
The island has a strange, almost purpose-built look from above, with its diamond shape, and was famous for its mother-of-pearls. There are many excellent hotels and eateries on the island and the tourist infrastructure is good.
Tips:
What is it? A pretty island in the Van Don District of Ha Long Bay.
When to go? December through March for the coolest, driest weather.
Nearest town: Ha Long, 30kms to the northwest; a couple of hours by boat.
Co To Island:
Co To Island in the Quang Ninh Province of northern Vietnam is a fair way offshore from Cai Rong Town. It encompasses dozens of islands in the Van Don Island District and is perfect for getting away from it all.
The largest islands in the group are Co To Island, Tran, and Thanh Lan. Trinh Sat Beach on Co To is the main attraction, a quiet beach that is totally unpolluted and great for swimming. There is also some good walking inland on Co To Island, with an easy walk to a lighthouse on a hill where there are some pretty nice views.
The snorkeling on Co To Island is also quite special along with the excellent seafood. Catching a fish on a spear and cooking it yourself is the way to go. Thanh Lan Island is known for its fruit orchards.
Tips:
What is it? A group of islands off the northeast Vietnam coast.
When to go? December through March is the nicest and coolest time in the north.
Nearest town: Cai Rong, three hours away by boat.
