Information
Landmark: Bai Tu Long BayCity: Ha Long
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Bai Tu Long Bay, Ha Long, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Bai Tu Long Bay, tucked into Vietnam’s northeast, is a serene stretch of Ha Long Bay where emerald waters lap quietly against limestone cliffs.Ha Long Bay draws the crowds, but just beyond it, Bai Tu Long Bay stays quiet, with calm waters and far fewer boats in sight.With its crystal-clear waters, thick green forests, and towering limestone cliffs, Bai Tu Long Bay offers travelers a quiet, tucked-away escape where the only sounds might be waves lapping at the shore.Bai Tu Long Bay lies northeast of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, often seen as its quieter extension, yet it has its own character-limestone cliffs rising from calm, jade-green water.The bay stretches across more than 1,000 square kilometers, scattered with over 50 islands and islets, many still quiet and untouched, where you might only hear the wind and gulls.Here, limestone peaks thrust straight from the water like they do in Ha Long Bay, but this stretch stays quieter, with far fewer tourist boats cutting across the waves.Bai Tu Long Bay’s waters lie still and crystal-clear, perfect for gliding in a kayak, diving in for a swim, or taking a slow boat ride under the warm sun.Tucked away in the bay, quiet beaches and far-off little islands offer the perfect hideout for anyone needing a break from ringing phones and crowded streets.Top Highlights and Must‑See Spots 1.In Bai Tu Long Bay, one of the standout sights is Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village, where you can watch fishermen mend their nets on wooden boats and glimpse the everyday rhythms of life on the water.The village rests on houses that sway gently on the water, and locals glide between them in small wooden boats to travel and haul in their catch.Visiting Vung Vieng lets you meet the locals, hear their stories, and watch them mend nets or haul in the morning catch while you learn about their way of life and traditions.Towering limestone cliffs ring the village, and visitors can hop on a small boat to glide past floating homes and take in the calm, mirror-like water.Number two.Cong Do Island, tucked away in Bai Tu Long Bay, stays calm and uncrowded, making it a perfect escape for nature lovers who want to hear only the soft splash of waves against the shore.The island’s famous for its untouched beaches, where soft white sand meets water so clear you can see every shell beneath the surface.Thick palms and tangled vines shelter all kinds of wildlife, and visitors often glide past the shore in a boat or ease a kayak through the calm, glassy water.At Cong Do Beach, you can stretch out on the warm sand, swim in the clear water, and soak up the breathtaking scenery all around you.The island shelters tangled mangrove forests and bright coral reefs, drawing visitors who come for quiet paddles through shaded waterways and low-impact adventures.Three.East of Bai Tu Long Bay, Co To Island sprawls large and green, inviting visitors to hike forested trails, swim in clear shallows, and wander along quiet, untouched beaches.The island bursts with local traditions and charm, and it’s famous for its stunning scenery-white sand that’s warm underfoot and water so clear you can see the ripples on the seabed.The island also boasts the Co To Lighthouse, where you can climb to the top and see the whole coast spread out below, waves flashing in the sunlight.Number four.Tucked away on Ban Sen Island in Bai Tu Long Bay, Thien Canh Son Cave glimmers like a secret chamber with cool, smooth walls.The cave is famous for its stunning formations, where razor-thin stalactites hang like icicles above towers of stone rising from the floor.To reach the cave’s entrance, visitors hike a winding trail through thick, fragrant tropical greenery; step inside, and cool air wraps around you as jagged rock formations rise in the quiet.The cave may be small, but it’s a gorgeous spot for nature lovers and anyone eager to see Bai Tu Long Bay’s striking rock formations up close.Number five sits right there, plain as the black ink on the page.Tra Gioi Beach, tucked away on Quy Hau Island in Bai Tu Long Bay, is a quiet stretch of untouched sand where the only sound is the soft rush of waves.People know it for its crystal-clear waters, soft white sand that warms underfoot, and a calm that settles over the place like a quiet breath.The beach feels quiet and open, perfect for anyone wanting to stretch out on the warm sand and take in Vietnam’s natural beauty without the bustle of busier spots.The area’s ideal for a swim, a lazy picnic under the pines, or wandering along the rocky shoreline.In Bai Tu Long Bay, you can dive into the area’s calm beauty with activities like boat tours and cruises-gliding past limestone cliffs while the water laps softly against the hull.Most cruises let you wander the bay, step ashore on quiet islands, and glide so close to the limestone karsts you can see the moss clinging to their sides.Many tours swing by well-known fishing villages, wind through hidden caves, and pause at sunlit beaches where you can feel the warm sand underfoot.Kayaking: The still, glassy waters of Bai Tu Long Bay are perfect for gliding a paddle through.You can paddle across the bay’s glassy water, slip into shadowy caves, and stumble onto quiet beaches tucked between rocky coves.Kayaking lets you slip right into the heart of the scenery, where the water laps at your paddle and the shore smells faintly of pine.Bai Tu Long Bay’s crystal-clear, sparkling waters are perfect for a swim or a lazy afternoon of snorkeling among the fish.During the dry season, the water turns warm and welcoming, with a silky feel against your skin, and the coral reefs nearby invite you to explore a world of vibrant fish and hidden wonders.Some islands in Bai Tu Long Bay, like Co To, are perfect for hiking-think winding trails through pine-scented hills and quiet paths with sweeping sea views.Visitors can wander through lush, shaded forests, hike up hills for sweeping views, and breathe in the quiet of the countryside.Photography: Bai Tu Long Bay is a dream for photographers, with jagged limestone islands rising from glassy water and sunsets that set the horizon ablaze.Whether you’re framing the bay’s jagged cliffs in golden light or catching a fisherman hauling in his nets, this place serves up endless chances for stunning shots.If you’re planning a trip to Bai Tu Long Bay, aim for the dry season-October through April-when the skies stay clear and the sea glitters in the sun.This time of year brings cooler, more pleasant weather, with crisp blue skies and hardly any rain, perfect for spending the day cruising, paddling a kayak, or hiking a forest trail.From May to September, the days heat up and rain falls more often-sometimes in sudden, drenching bursts-so travel can feel less pleasant.You can reach Bai Tu Long Bay by hopping on a boat from either Ha Long City or Cam Pha City, where the docks smell faintly of salt and diesel.Ha Long Bay sits about 50 kilometers-roughly 31 miles-away, and boats and tour groups regularly shuttle travelers between the two sparkling bays.You can hop on a quick day trip or settle in for a multi-day cruise to explore Bai Tu Long Bay, weaving past quiet coves and the scattered green islands that surround it.Some tours take you to Cai Bau Temple, where incense drifts through the air, along with other landmarks scattered around Ha Long Bay.In short, Bai Tu Long Bay is a hidden treasure in Vietnam, where you can drift past quiet limestone cliffs and enjoy the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay-without the crush of tourists.Bai Tu Long Bay, with its jagged limestone cliffs, quiet stretches of sand, and centuries-old ruins, offers a calm, picture-perfect getaway.Whether you’re drawn to kayaking, wandering through quiet fishing villages, hiking up to sweeping viewpoints, or just sinking your toes into warm sand on the beach
