1 Impressions of Bai Tu Long Bay – A vast expanse stretching across the horizon
Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Bai Tu Long Bay boasts breathtaking natural landscapes in the mining region of Quang Ninh. The bay covers an expansive area stretching across the horizon, with portions belonging to Ha Long City, Cam Pha City, and the island district of Van Don.
See also: Leaving the bustling, cramped city behind, heading to Hon Gai to find tranquility!
Bai Tu Long Bay truly proves that its waters and skies are in no way inferior to its famous neighbor, Ha Long Bay. Featuring hundreds of islands and islets of varying sizes, Bai Tu Long Bay offers a harmonious blend of picturesque water landscapes and the majestic, pristine charm of karst peaks scattered across the entire bay.
Bai Tu Long Bay with its system of karst islands scattered across the waters
The peaceful setting of Cong Dam fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay.
2 Bai Tu Long Bay and the legend of the dragon family defending the Vietnamese people
Few would expect that Bai Tu Long Bay, with its picturesque landscapes, is intimately entwined with the nation's heroic history.
According to ancient folklore, in the early days of the Vietnamese nation, the land was invaded by foreign aggressors. The Jade Emperor sent a Mother Dragon and her baby dragons down to the mortal realm to help the Vietnamese fight off the invaders. As the enemy fleet advanced toward the shore, the dragons sprayed countless pearls and gems, which instantly turned into thousands of stone islands rising from the sea, forming a solid fortress to halt the enemy's advance. Rushing forward at great speed, the enemy ships abruptly crashed into the stone islets or collided with each other, shattering to pieces. After the enemy was defeated, the Mother Dragon and her children did not return to heaven, but remained in the mortal realm where the battle had taken place. Legend has it that where the Mother Dragon descended is today's Ha Long Bay, while the place where the baby dragons landed became Bai Tu Long Bay. The spot where the dragons' tails whipped up frothy white water was called Long Vi (Dragon's Tail), today's Tra Co Peninsula, with its fine sandy beach stretching over ten kilometers.
In addition to the legend of the divine dragons aiding the Vietnamese people, Bai Tu Long Bay is also associated with historical tales of our ancestors. Historically, the bay was a place commemorating the glorious feats of General Tran Khanh Du and the three Pham brothers from Quan Lan commune. These meritorious figures routed the supply fleet of the Mongol general Truong Van Ho (Zhang Wenhu) in 1288.
Furthermore, today the bay is home to Cua Ong Temple, also known as Suot Temple. The temple is dedicated to Hung Nhuong Vuong Tran Quoc Tang, the third son of Great Prince Hung Dao Tran Quoc Tuan. Thus, Bai Tu Long Bay is not only a body of water blessed with picturesque landscapes, but also holds immense historical value in the nation-building and national defense efforts of our forebears.
Bai Tu Long Bay is associated with the ancient legend of the Mother Dragon and baby dragons aiding the Vietnamese people
According to ancient legend, the bay is where the baby dragons settled after defeating the enemy
The picturesque beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay leaves visitors enchanted
Wooden boats and kayaks appear tiny amid the vast expanse of waves
3 How to get to Bai Tu Long Bay and what is the best season to visit?
If you want to visit this beautiful bay during your journey to explore Ha Long, summer is the ideal time. During this season, the weather in the bay is relatively pleasant with little rain, making it perfect for swimming as well as cruising around the bay.
In addition, during autumn from August to October, the sea in Bai Tu Long Bay turns a clearer turquoise with pleasant, refreshing air, which is great for sightseeing. However, you should be mindful of visiting between June and August, as this period often brings thunderstorms that can disrupt sightseeing and swimming.
You can easily travel to Ha Long from Hanoi or Saigon by passenger bus, motorbike, or plane. Once in Ha Long, head to Hon Gai pier to purchase boat tickets out to Bai Tu Long Bay.
Common means of transport in the bay are cruises or wooden boats. In a wooden boat, you can easily weave through narrow, dim caves
The peaceful scene of Bai Tu Long Bay as sunset gradually falls
4 Exciting experiences in Bai Tu Long Bay you should not miss
4.1 Explore Bai Tu Long National Park
Address: Ha Long Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province
If you love exploring wildlife and nature, Bai Tu Long National Park is a destination you should not miss. Today, it serves as a national-level biosphere reserve, boasting an exceptionally rich and diverse flora and fauna ecosystem, and harboring numerous rare genetic resources listed in the Red Data Book.
Visiting the park, you will have the opportunity to admire the pristine, majestic beauty of various large and small islands such as Tra Ngo Lon Island, Ba Mun Island, Sau Nam Island, Dong Ma Island, and more. In addition, the undulating limestone mountain ranges surrounding the valleys serve as a home to many rare species of plants and animals. Don't miss Bat Cave (Hang Doi) on Tra Ngo Island if you are fascinated by wild bats. The cave is home to thousands of bats of various sizes, alongside other animals such as otters, civets, foxes, and monkeys.
During your journey exploring Bai Tu Long National Park, if time permits, you can visit the villages of the Tay, San Diu, or Red Dao ethnic groups on the islands here. Rest assured that the local people are exceptionally friendly and hospitable.
Swan Islet (Hon Thien Nga), a rock formation rising above Tra Than Bay (on Tra Ngo Lon Island) in Bai Tu Long National Park
Bai Tu Long National Park has a geological formation dating back around 300 million years, with limestone ranges enclosing marine valleys (thung ang). This is a rich habitat for diverse plant and animal species
Mangrove forest on Tra Ngo Island
Dense orchid flora clinging to limestone rocks, branches, and trunks of mangrove trees in Cai Lim marine valley
Mud crabs in the mangrove forest of Cai Lim marine valley
The marine animal rescue center on Ba Mun Island is currently the largest marine animal rescue center in Northeastern Vietnam
A keeled box turtle being cared for at the Marine Animal Rescue Center in Bai Tu Long National Park
Trumpet snail in Bai Tu Long National Park
4.2 Cruising Bai Tu Long Bay, why not?
If you want to fully admire the splendid scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay, why not opt for a cruise? Standing on the deck, you can easily take in panoramic views of the bay.
During your cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, you will enjoy gently gliding past majestic limestone peaks such as Ga Choi Islet (Fighting Cocks Islet), Dinh Huong Islet (Incense Burner Islet), Mai Nha Islet (Roof Islet), and more. In addition, countless limestone islets dot the waters, sure to bring you from one delightful surprise to the next.
Currently, cruise sightseeing tickets on the bay range from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND per person, while a 6-hour boat rental ranges from 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND per person.
Sightseeing Bai Tu Long Bay on a cruise is a memorable experience. Photo: @roosa_s
4.3 Visit Cong Dam fishing village
As one of the most popular attractions in Ha Long, Cong Dam fishing village rests peacefully at the foot of majestic limestone peaks. Visiting Cong Dam, you can enjoy authentic Northern fishing experiences such as catching fish, riding in a traditional bamboo boat, or listening to fishermen recount intriguing ocean legends steeped in unsolved mysteries.
Cong Dam fishing village with its floating aquaculture rafts
4.4 Kayaking
Boat rental fee: 60,000 VND / person
To fully appreciate the majesty of Bai Tu Long Bay's nature, caves, and towering cliffs, hop in a kayak. With a kayak, you can easily glide through caves, marvel at stalactite formations thousands of years old, or watch flocks of birds perched precariously on rocky ledges.
Kayaking is an activity suitable for those in good physical shape. Photo: @shawolmeu
5 What to eat when visiting Bai Tu Long Bay?
After hours of exploring the bay, why not recharge your energy with a variety of Ha Long delicacies, such as cobia, grouper, flower crabs, prawns, mud crabs, squid, jumping snails, sweet snails, or geoducks? When visiting Bai Tu Long Bay, don't miss out on trying the unique banh gat gu (nodding rice roll)!
Banh gat gu – A specialty dish that leaves everyone nodding in delight!
Bai Tu Long Bay has truly demonstrated that it is by no means overshadowed by its neighbor Ha Long Bay with Luon Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Hon Gai, and more. With its poetic landscapes akin to an earthly paradise, the bay makes for a perfect destination for those passionate about exploring and admiring the country's scenic wonders.
