1Where is Móng Cái?
Móng Cái is a city in Quảng Ninh Province, located in the northeast, about 178 km from central Hạ Long City. If traveling from Hanoi, it will take you more than 5 hours by motorbike or coach to get here. Móng Cái shares a 70-km border with China, both on land and at sea.
Although quite far from the center, Móng Cái has been blessed by nature with dreamy beauty, peaceful coastal areas, a rich system of islands and archipelagos, and many famous scenic spots. That is why Móng Cái is always strongly appealing to travel enthusiasts.
Móng Cái is one of the four cities under Quảng Ninh Province
2When is the best time to visit Móng Cái?
Móng Cái is a destination with diverse natural and cultural beauty. Therefore, no matter what time of year you visit, there will be plenty of fascinating things waiting to be discovered. Here are some suggestions from MIA.vn:
- If you plan to explore Trà Cổ Beach, you should visit Móng Cái from around May to August. This is summer, with little stormy weather and conditions that are extremely favorable for immersing yourself in cool water, diving to see coral, and enjoying countless other interesting activities. From around March to June, when visiting Trà Cổ, you can also experience night squid fishing with local fishermen.
Summer is ideal for exploring the island and coastal beauty of Móng Cái
- If you enjoy experiencing festival atmospheres, you should visit Móng Cái around 30/04, when a very famous costume festival takes place in Hạ Long. In addition, many festivals are held in Móng Cái in early spring, after Tết Nguyên đán.
- Those who enjoy spiritual tourism can visit Móng Cái on the 30th day of the 5th lunar month and the 1st day of the 6th lunar month to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Trà Cổ communal house festival, with many long-standing traditional rituals.
3Travel tips for getting to Móng Cái
When planning a trip to Móng Cái, you also need to look for suitable transportation and arrange an appropriate itinerary. Below is some information based on MIA.vn’s experience for your reference.
3.1 Traveling by sleeper coach
If departing from Hanoi and the northern neighboring provinces, a coach is a suitable means of transport for your trip to Móng Cái. Most coach companies operating the Hanoi - Móng Cái route depart from Mỹ Đình Bus Station at night, arriving just in time in the morning. After reaching Móng Cái City, you can rent a motorbike to get around during your stay.
3.2 Traveling by personal vehicle
For young people who enjoy exploration and new experiences, traveling to Móng Cái by personal vehicle is also an ideal choice.
- Motorbike route: Departing from Hanoi, travel toward Lạng Sơn, then turn onto National Highway 18 in Bắc Ninh City, heading toward Phả Lại. After reaching Hạ Long City, cross Bãi Cháy Bridge and continue straight for nearly 200 km to reach Móng Cái.
- Self-driving car route: The fastest route is the Hanoi - Hải Phòng Expressway, exiting at the National Highway 10 intersection. Then continue straight along National Highway 10, turn into Uông Bí City, and follow Route 18 to reach Móng Cái.
3.3 Getting to Móng Cái by plane
Quảng Ninh now has Vân Đồn Airport, so if you are traveling from distant provinces in central or southern Vietnam, flying is the recommended option. Vân Đồn Airport is about 90 km from Móng Cái, so you can rent a vehicle or take a coach.
You can book a flight to Vân Đồng Airport and travel another 90 km to Móng Cái
4Tips for exploring Móng Cái’s famous destinations
4.1 Trà Cổ Beach, Móng Cái
Trà Cổ is a beautiful, dreamy, and somewhat untouched beach. Therefore, besides summer, you can also visit Trà Cổ at other times of the year. However, this coastal area experiences quite a lot of storms, so check the weather forecast in advance for the safest and most convenient trip.
See also: Visit Trà Cổ Beach in Móng Cái, one of the most beautiful beaches in Quảng Ninh
Trà Cổ Beach is famous for its untouched, dreamy, and expansive beauty
4.2 Móng Cái Border Gate
Móng Cái Border Gate is located adjacent to Dongxing City, Guangxi Province, China. Therefore, when visiting, you need to register with the officers on duty at the border guard station. After that, you can enter the border inspection area to take check-in photos with border marker 1369.
Móng Cái Border Gate is where you complete exit procedures
4.3 Visiting Dongxing City - China
Another interesting Móng Cái travel experience is combining your visit with a trip to Dongxing City, China. You need to complete exit procedures at the border gate, then hire an electric vehicle to take you around the city.
A visit to Dongxing usually takes only a few hours. To complete exit procedures, you need to prepare 2 4x6 photos, an ID card or citizen identity card, and a birth certificate for children under 15. If this is your first visit, you can purchase a tour; having a guide accompany you will make the procedures easier.
See also: A guide to traveling to Dongxing, China, and things you should not miss
Dongxing City, with rows of shops standing close together
4.4 Móng Cái Central Market
Móng Cái Central Market has a huge area of more than 20,000 square meters. The goods sold here are also very diverse, consisting largely of imports from China such as electronics, clothing, footwear, children’s toys, confectionery, snacks...
Móng Cái Central Market at night, with many goods on display
Therefore, when you come here, you can shop for supplies and buy gifts for family and friends. However, remember to bargain so you do not get overcharged and can purchase good-quality goods at the right price.
4.5 Visiting Móng Cái’s islands
Móng Cái has many untouched islands with dreamy beauty that have not been significantly affected by humans. Therefore, if you enjoy exploring nature, you can choose from the following destinations:
- Vĩnh Trung Rocky Islet
- Cái Chiên Island
- Vĩnh Thực Island
Cái Chiên Island is a destination you should not miss when visiting Móng Cái
5Tips for exploring Móng Cái cuisine
As a coastal locality, Móng Cái’s most famous specialties are definitely seafood. Here, you can freely enjoy delicious dishes made with peanut worms, Trà Cổ crabs, mantis shrimp, sweet snails, and cù kỳ crabs…
Some famous seafood restaurants in Móng Cái:
- Nam Trung Restaurant, No. 70 Hòa Bình Boulevard, Trần Phú Ward, Móng Cái City
- Tam Mao Restaurant, Trà Cổ Beach, Trà Cổ Ward, Móng Cái City
- Sen Restaurant, 23 Hùng Vương, Trần Phú Ward, Móng Cái City
- Hoa Vân Restaurant, Tràng Vĩ Street, Trà Cổ Ward, Móng Cái City
You can also choose dried seafood as gifts for family and friends. Popular items include dried peanut worms, dried squid, dried shrimp, and shrimp floss…
Trà Cổ crab is extremely famous, so remember to give it a try
6Tips for accommodation in Móng Cái
Móng Cái has plenty of guesthouses and hotels, ranging from budget to upscale. If you do not know where to stay when visiting Móng Cái, you can consider the following suggestions:
Sunshine Hotel
- Address: Hồng Vận Urban Area, 56A Tuệ Tĩnh, Ka Long Ward, Móng Cái City
- Phone: 0388 288 999
Biển Bắc Hotel
Address: Hòa Bình Boulevard, Area 4, Móng Cái City
Phone: 0203 3886 222
Majestic - Mong Cai Hotel
Address: No. 5 Hòa Bình Boulevard, Móng Cái City
Phone: 033 378 9628
Majestic - Mong Cai Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Móng Cái
Móng Cái Palace
Address: No. 02A, Hòa Bình Boulevard, Trần Phú Ward, Móng Cái City
Phone: 0203 3786 888
The above is the Móng Cái travel information that the MIA.vn travel guide wants to equip you with. Hopefully, with these details, you will have a smooth trip and enjoy many interesting experiences.
