Bái Tử Long Bay – Astonishing scenery reminiscent of a heavenly paradise

1Impressions of Bái Tử Long Bay – A vast sea bay stretching across the horizon

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Bái Tử Long Bay is a sea bay blessed with the spectacular natural scenery of Quảng Ninh, the mining region. The bay covers a vast area and stretches across the horizon, with one part belonging to Hạ Long City, another to Cẩm Phả City, and the remainder within Vân Đồn Island District.

See also: I left the crowded, bustling city and came to Hòn Gai to find peace again!

Bái Tử Long Bay has truly affirmed that the mountains, waters, clouds, and sky here are in no way inferior to its ‘neighbor’, Hạ Long Bay. With hundreds of large and small islands, Bái Tử Long Bay is a harmonious blend of picturesque landscapes and the imposing, pristine beauty of rocky mountains scattered across the entire area.

2Bái Tử Long Bay and the legend of the dragons who helped the Vietnamese defeat invaders

Few people would expect that Bái Tử Long Bay, with its picturesque mountains and waters, is closely associated with the nation’s heroic history in the past. 

According to old legends, “when the Vietnamese people had just established their country, they were invaded by foreign enemies. The Jade Emperor ordered the Mother Dragon to bring a brood of dragons down to earth to help the Vietnamese fight the invaders. When the enemy boats advanced from the sea toward the shore, the dragons spewed countless pearls and jewels, which instantly transformed into thousands upon thousands of rocky islands in the sea, creating a solid wall to block the enemy boats. The enemy fleet was charging forward when it was suddenly blocked, causing the boats to crash into the rocky islands or into one another and shatter completely. After the enemy was defeated, the Mother Dragon and her children did not return to heaven but stayed on earth, where the battle had just taken place.” People still say that the place where the Mother Dragon settled is today’s Hạ Long Bay, while the place where her brood landed is today’s Bái Tử Long Bay. The tails of the young dragons churned the water into white foam, a place called Long Vĩ—the Trà Cổ Peninsula today—with a smooth sandy beach stretching for more than a dozen kilometers.

Not only is Bái Tử Long Bay associated with the legend of the divine dragons helping the Vietnamese defeat invaders, but it is also linked to historical anecdotes from Vietnam’s past. In earlier times, the bay was a place commemorating the glorious victories of General Trần Khánh Dư and the three Phạm brothers from Quan Lạn Commune. These meritorious heroes destroyed the supply fleet of the Yuan-Mongol general Trương Văn Hổ in 1288.

In addition, today the bay is home to a place called Cửa Ông Temple, also known as Suốt Temple. The temple worships Hưng Nhượng Vương Trần Quẩn Tảng, the third son of Đức ông Hưng Đạo Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn. That is why Bái Tử Long Bay is not merely a sea bay with picturesque scenery; it also holds great historical value in the nation-building and national-defense journey of our forefathers.

3What is the best way to get to Bái Tử Long Bay, and when should you visit?

If you want to visit this beautiful sea bay during your exploration of Hạ Long, summer is the most suitable time. At this time, the bay’s climate is relatively cool with little rain, making it ideal for swimming and sightseeing around the bay by cruise boat. 

In addition, during autumn, from August to October, the seawater at Bái Tử Long Bay is clearer and the air is cool and pleasant, making it very suitable for sightseeing around the bay. However, you should avoid visiting between June and August, as the bay often experiences thunderstorms during this period, affecting sightseeing and swimming.

You can easily travel to Hạ Long from Hanoi or Saigon by coach, motorbike, or plane. Once in Hạ Long, you can travel to Hòn Gai wharf to buy a ticket for a boat to Bái Tử Long Bay.

4Exciting experiences at Bái Tử Long Bay you should not miss

4.1 Explore Bái Tử Long National Park

Address: Hạ Long Commune, Vân Đồn District, Quảng Ninh Province

If you love exploring the wild natural world, Bái Tử Long National Park is one destination you should not miss. Today, the park is a national-level biosphere reserve with an extremely diverse and abundant ecosystem of flora and fauna, and is also home to many rare genetic specimens listed in the Red Data Book.

At the park, you will have the opportunity to admire the pristine, majestic beauty of various large and small islands, such as Trà Ngọ Lớn, Ba Mùn, Sậu Nam, and Đông Ma islands. In addition, the system of rugged limestone mountain ranges surrounding the valleys is home to many rare species of plants and animals. Also, do not miss Bat Cave on Trà Ngô Island if you love wild bats. The cave is home to thousands of bats of different sizes, along with other animals such as otters, civets, foxes, and monkeys.

During your exploration of Bái Tử Long National Park, if you have time, you can visit the villages of the Tày, Sán Dìu, or Red Dao people on the islands here. You can rest assured, as the local people are extremely friendly and hospitable.

4.2 Why not take a cruise to enjoy the scenery of Bái Tử Long Bay?

If you want to take in the full beauty of Bái Tử Long Bay, why not choose a cruise, my friend? From the side of the boat, you can easily admire the bay with an unobstructed view. 

During your exploration of Bái Tử Long Bay by cruise boat, you can slowly pass majestic limestone formations such as Hòn Gà Chọi, Hòn Đỉnh Hương, and Hòn Mái Nhà. In addition, the bay is dotted with countless large and small limestone islands, sure to take you from one surprise to another.

Currently, cruise sightseeing tickets on the bay range from 100,000 VNĐ to 300,000 VNĐ / person, while the price for a 6-hour boat rental ranges from 150,000 VNĐ to 200,000 VNĐ / person.

4.3 Visit Cống Đầm fishing village

One of the sightseeing spots in Hạ Long favored by many visitors, Cống Đầm fishing village lies peacefully at the foot of majestic limestone mountains. At Cống Đầm, you can enjoy quintessential northern fishermen’s experiences, such as fishing and riding a basket boat, or listen to local people tell fascinating legends about the open sea, which still holds countless unsolved mysteries.

4.4 Go kayaking

Boat rental price: 60,000 VNĐ / person

If you want to fully experience the grandeur of the mountains and waters of Bái Tử Long Bay, along with its cave system and imposing rocky mountains, a kayak is an ideal choice. In a kayak, you can easily weave through the caves, admire thousands-of-years-old stalactites, or watch flocks of birds perched precariously on rocky outcrops. 

5What to eat when visiting Bái Tử Long Bay?

After fully exploring the bay, why not refuel with a range of delicious Hạ Long specialties, such as cobia, grouper, swimming crab, shrimp, crab, squid, dancing snails, sweet snails, or otter clams? If you visit Bái Tử Long Bay, you must also try the especially delicious bánh gật gù!

Bái Tử Long Bay has truly proven that it is in no way inferior to its ‘neighbor’, Hạ Long Bay, with attractions such as Luồn Cave, Thiên Cung Cave, Đầu Gỗ Cave, and Hòn Gai. With picturesque mountains and waters reminiscent of a heavenly paradise, the bay is the perfect destination for anyone who loves exploring and admiring the beauty of the nation’s landscapes.