Fill your senses with a feeling of tranquility away from the crowd and the incipient tourism, Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration is awaiting your experience. Located in Quang Ninh Province, including Van Don, Cam Pha, and Halong, this secret heaven provides a peaceful getaway on limestone islets, pristine beaches, and traditional fishing villages. Legend has it that Yen Lap the hare once saw a dragon land on an island in HaLong Bay and cut its teeth, helping press the people of the village from the claws of the dragon, bite marks formed, thus to this very day Bai Tu Long Bay has many caves of all shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a quieter and more genuine alternative to the popular destinations, then this is your perfect northern version of a Halong Tours experience
Part of Quang Ninh Province, Bai Tu Long Bay is to the northeast of the better-known Halong Bay. It covers Van Don District, areas of Cam Pha City, and the eastern waters of Halong City. It has the same stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters that its famous neighbor does, but is still quiet, untouched, and ideal if you’re after a more authentic experience. A well-kept secret for travelers who wish to have a more tranquil and private tour of the world-renowned Halong Tours, the Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration offers that comes of culture and peace all in one package.
Location: Within the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, accessible by kayak or bamboo boat from your cruise.
Experience: It’s a peaceful fishing village with time appearing to stop and stand still. Paddle through the serene waters, pass by floating homes, stop by pearl farms, and with friendly locals who have been living here for generations.
Activity: Kayaking, bamboo boat ride, cultural visit.
Entry Fee: Typically included in the cost of a cruise. Kayak rental: ~100,000-150,000 VND (if not part of a package).
Why Visit: Cultural immersion and photographic tranquility you won’t find anywhere else in the Northern states, a truly quiet escape from the large tourist areas.
Vung Vieng Floating Village (Sours: homepaylater)
Location: On Hon Co Island, to the northeast of Halong City.
Experience: After a short forested walk, wander into an enchanting limestone cave filled with ancient stalactites and stalagmites. The cave has superb panoramic views looking out over the bay, ideal for fans of the sunrise and hikers.
Activity: Hike, explore caves, see the sights.
Entry Fee: Approximately 50,000VND (which is usually included in the cruise itinerary).
Why Visit: A natural spectacle, not a rock is wasted in these limestone curves, and the caves can’t compare to Halong Tours.
Thien Canh Son Cave (Sours: vietnamdiscovery)
Location: Van Don District, Quang Ninh, Vietnam. You can reach via a cruise or a speedboat.
Experience: It’s a nature lover’s dream of an island beautiful for swimming and getting in a good, easy hike or camping on the white sandy beaches. The sunsets here are jaw-dropping!
Activity: Camp on the beach, ride my motorbike, taste seafood.
Entry Fee: No entry fee; boat transfer from Van Don Port: 100,000–150,000 VND.
Why Visit: Less developed than southern hot spots, it’s great for travelers who want both the solitude and the natural beauty.
Quan Lan Island (Sours: vietnamdiscovery)
Location: Minh Chau Commune, Quan Lan Island.
Experience: This is widely held to be northern Vietnam’s cleanest and most photogenic beach. With powdery white sand, tranquil, crystal clear waters, and a peaceful ambiance, it’s a dream for those who love swimming and sunbathing.
Activity: Swimming, sunbathing, walking the coast.
Entry Fee: Free access.
Why Visit: The perfect counterpart to Halong Tours, the beaches are undeveloped, silent, and memorable.
Minh Chau Beach (Sours: vietnamdiscovery)
Location: Ba Mun Island, Van Don, Quang Ninh Province.
Experience: A patchwork of forest and sea covering more than 15,000 hectares in protected status, home to dozens of rare species. Perfect for ecotourism, birders, and scientific interest.
Activity: Forest trek, wildlife observation, and eco-study.
Entry Fee: 40,000VND/pax (In case of using the transfer boat, there will be an additional charge).
Why Visit: It is the ecological soul of your Bai Tu Long Bay Excursion, and perhaps a little deeper understanding of Vietnam’s biodiversity.
Bai Tu Long National Park (Sours: aseanbiodiversity)
07:30 – 08:00 | Pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter
Your Bai Tu Long Bay journey kicks off with a convenient limousine or shuttle transfer from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. As you make the 4-hour journey, the countryside from the Red River Delta will slip by: rice paddies, riverside villages, and daily Vietnamese life taking shape outside your window.
12:00 | Arrive at Hon Gai International Harbor – Embarkation
On arrival at Hon Gai International harbour in Ha Long city, I will receive you on my cruise and escort you on a boat to take a trip of the stunning bay of Ha Long while savouring food from the day’s catch. You’ll receive a small safety briefing before we set sail into the peaceful heart of Bai Tu Long Bay.
12:30 | Lunch Onboard – Fresh Seafood Feast
Relax and enjoy the spread out lunch set, beautiful local menu as grilled prawns, or squid, stir-fried clams, or fragrant stir-fried seafood and vegetable dishes. Experience one of the most magnificent mornings on Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration for this afternoon. Join us considering being one of the most magnificent mornings of Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration this afternoon. Sit back and savor the perfect lunch while cruising towards the amazing seascape to see the famous islets. This one-day boat trip will take you to the best parts of the bay for an absolutely Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration.
14:30 | Explore Vung Vieng Floating Village by Kayak
Paddle your way into the calm waters of Vung Vieng Floating Village in the afternoon. This village is a cultural relic and time capsule where the local fishermen still live on floating houses and farm pearls. It’s an interesting, leisurely alternative to the busier waters of many Halong Tours.
17:30 | Sunset Cocktail & Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration
Back on board, it’s cocktail hour on the sundeck as the sun sets, followed by a lesson in making classic Vietnamese spring rolls. You’re doing more than just watching, you’re cooking food you’ll remember.
19:00 | Dinner & Evening Activities
As darkness descends over Bai Tu Long Bay, you dine in romantic candlelight. If you are an adventurous type, it’s time to challenge squid fishing at night, a very interesting activity of local fishermen in the bay! Or just relax with a drink under the stars. Tonight, you sleep on the bay, cushioned by silence.
Vung Vieng Floating Village by Kayak (Sours: indochina)
06:30 | Morning Tai Chi & Light Breakfast
Start the day with a morning Tai Chi session, a time-honored Vietnamese tradition that invigorates both body and mind. A light breakfast of fresh fruit, muffin, tea, and coffee is served as you continue to cruise through the bay.
08:00 | Visit Thien Canh Son Cave
Ready for a small walk to Thien Canh Son Cave on Hon Co Island. And in this hidden cavern, you’ll see beautiful stalactites and stalagmites that have naturally formed over thousands of years. There is a picture postcard view from the mouth of the cave, out over the bay: a photographer’s dream.
09:30 | Pack & Checkout
Please check out of your cabin. And be sure to catch the final moments of the day in your private balcony on the Emeraude, or on the spacious open deck as the sun sets on the bay and sets the scene for a truly memorable trip.
10:00 | Brunch Onboard
Your last meal is a leisurely brunch on board the boat as it sails back to the harbor. Savour a range of Vietnamese and Western cuisine as you take in your last views of this peaceful paradise.
12:00 | Disembark at Hon Gai & Return to Hanoi
Bid goodbye to the crew and return to Hanoi aboard your transfer. Recommended arrival time is 16.30, just in time to freshen up before dinner or an evening amble around Hoan Kiem Lake.
06:30 – 07:00 | Tai Chi and Breakfast
Welcome the day with a peaceful Tai Chi morning on the sundeck. A free light breakfast while savoring the peaceful morning landscapes of the bay.
08:00 – 11:00 | Visit Quan Lan or Ban Sen Island
Today’s adventure will take you to Quan Lan Island or Ban Sen Island (depending on which route you choose). Make your way along quiet roads or through village temples and sandy lanes on Quan Lan. Two words are appropriate to Ban Sen, which are peaceful and quiet, and a lack of a touch of tourism that you can hardly see in other boring Halong Tours.
11:30 – 14:00 | Free Time at Minh Chau Beach
Then take some time out at Minh Chau Beach, where you can relax on the white-sand beach before boarding the boat to leave. Swim, sunbathe, or simply walk barefoot through gentle surf. For many visitors, this is the most relaxing time of the Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration.
17:30 – 19:00 | Optional BBQ Dinner on the Beach
Weather permitting, some cruises feature a beach BBQ dinner under the stars. Grilled seafood straight off the boat, regional dishes, and a glass of wine by the waves? It’s a moment of a lifetime.
21:00 | Anchor at Mang Ha Area
Your cruise drops anchor for the evening at the tranquil Mang Ha anchorage, well away from the bright city lights. Drift off to a peaceful slumber with gentle waves kissing the shore for your second night on the bay.
Mang Ha Area (Sours: flickr)
06:30 – 08:00 | Visit to a Pearl Farm or Floating Market
Subject to weather and cruise schedule, we will spend the morning visiting a typical pearl farm or a local floating market. Discover how pearls are farmed and see how the local people here are protecting their livelihoods and the great seas, in a way that is rarely seen in the rush of Halong Tours.
08:00 – 10:00 | Leisure Breakfast & Scenic Cruising
A complete breakfast is served on board during the return to the mainland. It is your final opportunity to snap postcard-worthy images of the beauty of the bay.
10:30 – 12:00 | Disembarkation at Hon Gai Harbor
Visit and bid farewell to your cruise team. Your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi, ending your Bai Tu Long Bay on a high note.
16:30 | Arrival in Hanoi
You’ll return to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon, with memories to last a lifetime, new friends, and hundreds of gorgeous photos from your trip.
If you are after the nice weather, consider the period from February to May and from October to November to explore Bai Tu Long Bay. The skies tend to be clear, the ocean is placid, and the air is pleasingly cool, ideal conditions for kayaking, sunbathing, and cave strolls during these months. Try to steer clear of the heaviest rains in July to September, when storms are a greater possibility.
This is the most comfortable. Our limousine service was available at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and Hon Gai International Harbor. It’s air-conditioned, runs on time (which pays off in terms of quick transfers), and offers on-board bottled water and Wi-Fi, making it perfect for families, couples, or newcomers looking for an easy Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration
Backpacker buses from My Dinh bus station in Hanoi are a quality budget option to Ha Long city or Cam Pha. The fare is between 100,000 and 200,000 VND and the bus trip takes 4–5 hours. From the bus stop it’s a short taxi or Grab ride to the harbor. More economic and less convenient than the private transfers included in Halong Tours package.
So here’s your bare-bones packing list for a Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration!
Whether you travel with family or with your spouse, and friends or even by yourself, you tour of Bai Tu Long Bay will bring you a time of peace and serenity, a different time of pausing, a time of happiness and satisfaction. Pack smart, keep curious and let the bay surprise you.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Tour from Hanoi to Halong bay is one of the most amazing package tour in the North Vietnam. Our tours bring you to explore the seascape of Ha Long Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises sail emerald green waters among thousands of rugged islands and islets, stopping at spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations.
You will take an experience of stunning scenery, sumptuous sea food and excellent service with 6 hours cruise tour among the bay that is also a great option for travelers to discover the nature wonder. We ensure you will have memorable trip to visit one of seven World nature wonder.
Tour explores the most magnificent beauty of nature in the world ( Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay). You will not only see many fantastically shaped islands, beautiful beaches, and great natural caves, but you will also learn more about its history and local people and join to ocean activities.
This tour is 3 days and 2 nights staying on cruises. To explore further paths to hidden corner of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. To take part in marine activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing or swimming at the pristine and untouched beaches.
This tour with 4 days/3 nights on boat/cruises to explore Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long bay off the beaten track where is not touristic area, the feeling so tranquil of the fresh atmosphere. And discover the local people where you can see and learn about negative fishermen and floating fishing village around Tonkin Gulf.
