Bai Tu Long Bay: A trip across Vietnam’s breathtaking Quang Ninh region
Located in the Northeastern Sea of Vietnam, Bai Tu Long Bay is one of the lesser-known natural treasures but has a majestic beauty that is no less famous than Ha Long Bay. With hundreds of large and small islands, pristine beaches, and stunning natural landscapes, Bai Tu Long not only attracts domestic tourists but is also gradually becoming an attractive destination for international tourists. The combination of pristine natural beauty, unique local culture, and new travel experiences makes Bai Tu Long one of the must-see destinations when exploring Vietnam.
Where is Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam?
Bai Tu Long Bay is one of the prominent destinations in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Tonkin and the Northeast region of the country. This bay includes hundreds of large and small islands, creating a majestic and poetic natural picture. Bai Tu Long is not only a part of the natural heritage but also bears the mark of history and folk legends.
Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam
Bai Tu Long Bay includes the sea areas of three main areas: Ha Long City, Cam Pha City, and Van Don Island district. In terms of geographical location, the bay borders Ha Long Bay to the southwest, the mainland of Cam Pha City to the west, the island district of Co To to the northeast, and the vast ocean to the east. It is the combination of the mainland and the ocean that creates the unique and rich beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam.
The history of Bai Tu Long Bay is associated with an ancient legend from the period of founding and defending the country of the Vietnamese people. According to the legend, when the country was invaded by foreign invaders, the mother dragon and her dragon children descended to earth to help the Vietnamese people fight the invaders. The mother dragon sprayed precious pearls into the sea, creating islands to block the enemy’s advance. After the enemy was defeated, those pearls turned into majestic rocky islands, creating the natural complex we see today. To commemorate the mother dragon’s merit, the sea area where the mother dragon set foot was called Ha Long Bay, and the place where the dragon children descended was named Bai Tu Long Bay.
Bai Tu Long Bay is a natural masterpiece and a symbol of Vietnamese history and culture, carrying profound spiritual values, closely associated with the process of building and defending the nation.
Why is Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam worth a visit?
Bai Tu Long Bay is one of the attractive destinations for those who love to explore the wild and majestic natural beauty. Below are the reasons why Bai Tu Long Bay deserves to be a destination not to be missed.
Discover the beauty of hundreds of large and small islands
The beauty of hundreds of islands
Bai Tu Long Bay is famous for hundreds of large and small islands, many of which are inhabited, each island has a unique and novel beauty. Visitors can explore the Van Don island district, Cap Ky Nhay island cluster, Cap Ky Gia, Hon Chong, Hon Ba Sao or famous islands such as Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ban Sen, and Ngoc Vung. Each island in Bai Tu Long is like a precious gem, with its own unique beauty, from fine white sand beaches to towering limestone mountains, creating a rich and diverse natural picture.
Discover the beauty of pristine beaches
Not only famous for its islands, Bai Tu Long Bay also owns many beautiful pristine beaches, ideal for those who want to find peace and quiet. Beaches such as Con Co, Minh Chau, Van Don, Co To, and Quan Lan with long stretches of white sand and clear blue sea water will bring visitors unforgettable experiences. The wildness of these beaches will surely make anyone fall in love.
Beautiful natural scenery
The scenery at Bai Tu Long Bay is a perfect combination of mountains and the vast ocean, creating a stunning natural picture. Towering limestone mountains interspersed with blue seas, sometimes calm, sometimes vibrant with waves lapping the shore, all creating a majestic and peaceful space, making anyone admire the beauty of this place.
Many attractive places to visit
Bai Tu Long National Park
Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam also attracts tourists with many interesting and attractive tourist destinations. With a 10km long coastline and an area of over 100 hectares, this place is also an ideal place for ecotourism trips. Tourists can visit Bai Tu Long National Park, is one of the important marine reserves in Vietnam. With a diverse and rich ecosystem, Bai Tu Long Bay is where you can admire the pristine beauty of nature.
Diverse culinary culture
Not only is Bai Tu Long Bay beautiful, but it is also attractive for its diverse and unique culinary culture. Coming here, visitors can enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as sea urchin, shrimp, crab, sea cucumber, etc. with rich flavors, imbued with the identity of the sea. Each dish is a unique experience, making the journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay more complete and memorable.
With all the wonderful things mentioned above, Bai Tu Long Bay deserves to be one of the top destinations in Vietnam, where visitors can immerse themselves in nature, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and discover unique cultural values.
Read more: Bai Tu Long bay cruise: All you need to know BEFORE you go
How to get to Bai Tu Long Bay – Quang Ninh
To get to Bai Tu Long Bay, you need to travel to Hon Gai Port (Ha Long City), where you start your journey to explore this bay. Below are popular ways to travel from the main locations:
From Hanoi city center to Hon Gai Port
Move to Hon Gai Port
The distance from Hanoi center to Hon Gai Port is about 136 km, and the average travel time is about 3 hours and 15 minutes. You can choose a means of transport such as bus or private car. Currently, there are many direct bus routes from Hanoi to Ha Long with regular frequency, ensuring your convenience and flexibility in choosing departure time. If you travel by private car, you are free to stop and explore interesting places along the way.
From Noi Bai International Airport to Hon Gai Port
If you come from far away provinces or from abroad, traveling from Noi Bai International Airport to Hon Gai Port is a reasonable choice. This distance is about 157 km and takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes by bus or car. From the airport, you can easily hire a taxi or use the bus service to get to Ha Long.
From Cat Bi International Airport to Hon Gai Port
For visitors from the Central or Southern regions, Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong) is the ideal destination to travel to Ha Long. From Cat Bi, the distance to Hon Gai Port is only about 79 km and the estimated travel time is 2 hours. The short distance and convenient traffic help you get there quickly without spending too much time.
With convenient and diverse means of transportation, getting to Bai Tu Long Bay – Quang Ninh is easier than ever. No matter which means of transportation you choose, the journey to explore Bai Tu Long will always bring wonderful and memorable experiences.
The best time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay
To fully enjoy the beauty of the bay, choosing the right time is extremely important. Below are suggestions for the ideal time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay:
Summer (March-May): Ideal time for swimming and fun
The best time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay
From March to May every year, Bai Tu Long Bay enters summer with warm, sunny weather and clear blue skies, very favorable for outdoor activities. This is a great time for visitors to immerse themselves in the cool seawater, participate in water sports such as windsurfing, and kayaking, or simply lie on the white sand to enjoy the fresh air. Not only that, summer in Bai Tu Long also has long, beautiful sunny days, allowing you to explore all the large and small islands, and enjoy the beautiful sea and sky scenery without being affected by the weather.
Autumn (August – October): Ideal time to enjoy the bay view
If you want to enjoy the fresh, cool air and admire the quieter natural scenery, autumn from August to October is the perfect time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay. At this time, the temperature is mild, and the seawater is as clear as jade, creating a harmonious and peaceful natural picture. Visitors can start their cruise journeys through the islands, admire the majestic landscape of the bay, or join tours to explore the unique ecosystem of this area. Autumn in Bai Tu Long also brings poetic moments with the sunset on the bay, making people more passionate and calm.
Visitors should choose the time that suits their wishes and prepare for an impressive journey in Bai Tu Long Bay.
Things to do in Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay, with its pristine natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, is an ideal destination for those looking for relaxation and unique experiences. Below are some activities not to be missed when visiting this bay.
Experience a cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay
Cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay
One of the best ways to appreciate the majestic beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay is to take a cruise. Cruises often focus on routes that pass through famous locations, where visitors can admire the majestic limestone mountains rising from the clear blue sea. As the boat glides by, you will have the opportunity to admire the picturesque scenery, with green islets and misty mist creating a magical space. This experience is not only a journey of discovery but also an opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and peace of nature.
Swimming at Ban Chan Beach
Ban Chan Beach is the perfect destination for those who love the sea. With clear water and fine white sand, this place is a paradise for swimming and diving activities. You can freely swim in the cool water, and explore the colorful underwater world with coral reefs and diverse marine life. The quiet space and pristine nature at Ban Chan Beach will bring you wonderful moments of relaxation, forgetting the noise and fatigue of everyday life.
Visit Vung Vieng fishing village and Cong Dam
Cong Dam fishing village
Vung Vieng and Cong Dam fishing villages are must-see destinations when visiting Bai Tu Long Bay. Located in a peaceful and quiet space, these two fishing villages are ideal places for you to relax and explore the lives of local people. Visitors can participate in kayaking through the clear blue waters, weaving through small islands and admiring the floating houses typical of the fishing village. This is also an opportunity to learn about the culture, customs and lifestyle of the fishermen in the bay, the simple, hospitable people who have been attached to the sea for many generations.
Explore Thien Canh Son Cave
Thien Canh Son is one of the wild caves you should explore. Located in the Cong Do conservation area, this cave attracts many tourists because of its rare natural beauty. When entering the cave, you will feel the coolness, the large space inside with sparkling stalactites like magical sculptures of nature. The soft, winding lines of the stalactites combined with natural light create a vivid and impressive picture. This is an ideal place for those who love to explore and want to witness the mysterious beauty of nature.
Bai Tu Long Bay is not only a place where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery but also a place where you can experience interesting and unique activities. The peaceful moments and memorable experiences here will bring you a complete and meaningful vacation. Readers should refer to the Vietnam tours available at Vietnam Allure Travel – the leading company organizing tours to explore Vietnam for international visitors.
