1 A brief overview of Dragon Eye Island
Location: Southern part of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
When mentioning Ha Long Bay, travel enthusiasts can hardly overlook unforgettable famous landscapes such as Tuan Chau Island, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Me Cung Cave, Thien Cung Cave... However, there is a brand-new tourist spot that still retains its pristine charm, holds many exciting secrets, and remains largely unexplored: Dragon Eye Island.
See also: Ti Top Island - Admiring the peaceful island in the heart of Ha Long Bay
Dragon Eye Island still preserves its pristine beauty
Covering an area of about 30ha, bow-shaped, nestling between two sheltering limestone mountain ranges with smooth white sand beaches
Dragon Eye Island is located in the southern part of Ha Long Bay, near the waters adjacent to Lan Ha Bay (Cat Ba, Hai Phong). It is also known by another nickname, Bai Dong, and is surrounded by majestic limestone mountain ranges, white sandy beaches, and forests featuring the most unique natural ecosystem in the Gulf of Tonkin!
Looking down from above, visitors will see the island resembling a dragon's head, with a clear blue, circular lake like an eye. For that very reason, many locals call this place Dragon Eye Island.
You can watch the clip to admire the beauty of this pristine island:
Panoramic view of Dragon Eye Island from a flycam. Source: Youtube/DahinhMedia
2 Guide on how to get to Dragon Eye Island
Currently, traveling to Dragon Eye Island is quite easy and convenient because it is located within a tourist city. Therefore, to reach the island, visitors need to go through 2 stages. First, travel to Ha Long, and then go from Ha Long to this beautiful island.
2.1 Traveling by bus to Ha Long Bay
Hanoi is about 160km from Ha Long, taking around 3 hours by car thanks to the Hanoi - Hai Phong Expressway. Currently, there are many bus companies to choose from, such as Kumho, Duc Phuc, Anh Huy, Ninh Quynh... Visitors only need to purchase tickets and gather at Luong Yen or My Dinh bus stations to depart. Buses operate across many time slots, departing every 5 to 15 minutes, and will take you to Bai Chay bus station in Ha Long. Ticket prices range from 120,000 VND/passenger for seated buses to 250,000 VND/passenger for sleeper buses.
2.2 Traveling by motorbike / car to Ha Long Bay
If visitors travel with a group of friends or family by motorbike or car on the journey to Dragon Eye Island, you need to prepare sufficient fuel and physical stamina for the fairly long route. Below are 2 routes to Ha Long for your reference:
Route Hanoi - Bac Ninh - Ha Long: 155 km. This is the shortest road route from Hanoi to Ha Long, taking about 3 hours by car, as follows:
- Hanoi along Route 5 - Sai Dong intersection: 10 km.
- Sai Dong along Route 1 - Bac Ninh: 23 km.
- From Bac Ninh along Route 18 - Pha Lai - Chi Linh - Dong Trieu - Uong Bi - Ha Long: 122 km.
Route Hanoi - Bac Ninh - Ha Long: 160 km.
- Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) along Noi Bai - Bac Ninh road (32km) to Bac Ninh.
- Connect to National Highway 18A through Pha Lai, Sao Do, Dong Trieu, Uong Bi to Ha Long.
2.3 Traveling by train
If you want a novel experience on the journey to Dragon Eye Island, visitors can travel on the HALONG EXPRESS tourist train departing from Gia Lam station. The train departs at 7:05 AM every morning and takes about 5 hours to reach Ha Long. Ticket prices are 5 USD/way/passenger (Vietnamese passengers) and 15 USD/way/passenger (foreign passengers).
2.4 Renting a boat to Dragon Eye Island
After arriving at Ha Long Bay, visitors can take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Bai Chay Bridge. Then, you should contact Le Hoang Truong Sa Co., Ltd. in advance to rent a boat to continue to Dragon Eye Island. Going from the mainland to the island typically takes about 2.5 hours, but if you go to Jumbo Dai Duong wharf on Cot 5 Street to take a speedboat, it only takes around 30 - 45 minutes.
Visitors traveling by boat to Dragon Eye Island
3 The ideal time for visitors to visit Dragon Eye Island
Visitors can visit Dragon Eye Island at any time of the year. However, according to seasoned travelers, the best time to check in at this island is during the summer, from April to June. During this period, the weather on the island is relatively mild and the vegetation is lush, offering you delightful experiences while exploring Dragon Eye Island in combination with touring nearby attractions.
Visitors enjoy experiencing the Robinson Crusoe feeling on Dragon Eye Island
You should avoid visiting from July to August, as heavy rain and major storms frequently occur, and boats may even be banned from heading out to sea
This leaves ocean lovers deeply disappointed as they cannot participate in recreational activities here
4 Exciting sightseeing and experiential activities on Dragon Eye Island that attract visitors
Known as the "dragon gem" in the heart of Ha Long Bay, Dragon Eye Island, with its primitive beauty and tranquil atmosphere free from city dust and honking horns, has enchanted the hearts of countless travelers. So what makes this island so special and appealing to tourists?
- Camping and team building: Dragon Eye Island boasts a 400m-long smooth white sandy beach. You can lie on the beach sunbathing, or pitch a tent and organize team building activities that will be truly fantastic.
Camping overnight on Dragon Eye Island is an unforgettable experience
- Kayaking, flying boat: Visitors can paddle kayaks with friends to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing scenery of mountains and waters on this charming island
The lake here is only about 1m deep, but do not be complacent—you should still wear a life jacket!
- Swimming: If you want to soak up some "vitamin sea," Dragon Eye Island is the spot for you! Splashing freely in the cool water, diving, catching crabs and fish in the lake, and breathing in the refreshing sea breeze will surely make you gasp in delight.
Strike a pose and get an entire album of stunning photos
- Vibrant BBQ party: In the late afternoon and evening, visitors can join their close friends to throw a delicious fresh seafood BBQ party on Dragon Eye Island.
Hosting a lively BBQ party
5 Things to keep in mind when exploring Dragon Eye Island
To ensure a complete and smooth trip to Dragon Eye Island, keep these tips in mind:
- Visitors need to bring some emergency supplies, such as cold medicine, digestive medicine, flashlights, insect repellent spray... Don't forget to apply sunscreen to avoid coming back with sunburned skin!
- If you plan to spend the night on Dragon Eye Island, prepare all necessary equipment such as camping tents, sleeping bags... In particular, this island is still untouched, with almost no shops or restaurants around. Therefore, you should bring drinking water, some food, and personal items.
- For those passionate about taking photos for social media, do not forget to bring gorgeous outfits to capture top-notch shots. Moreover, there will be mosquitoes around at night, so wear long clothes when sleeping overnight.
- Because this is an appealing tourist destination thanks to its pristine scenery, everyone must be mindful and clean up their waste before leaving.
- At least one week before traveling to Dragon Eye Island, you should check the weather forecast to plan properly, avoiding any disruptions to your itinerary.
If you are an enthusiast who loves discovering new, unspoiled lands, do not miss Dragon Eye Island in Ha Long Bay! It is definitely an enticing destination for you! Wishing you the most rewarding journey of discovery on this gorgeous island!
