Discover Ngoc Vung Island: Peaceful and Unusually Charming

1 Overview of Ngoc Vung Island

1.1 A few things to know about Ngoc Vung Island

Ngoc Vung Island is located in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province. Covering an area of about 45km, it boasts pristine beauty, like a precious gem nestled in Bai Tu Long Bay. The island has a fairly small population of only around 1000 people. Its name also comes from the rare pearl oysters found here. When night falls, they glow, illuminating the surrounding sky.

In addition to its beautiful natural scenery and inherent pristine charm, Ngoc Vung Island also invites visitors to discover many historical relics. Leave behind the bustling destinations in the city center: Ngoc Vung Island is an ideal choice if you want a change of pace and to explore a new, still little-known horizon.

Going clam digging, catching shrimp to make a salad, and enjoying a few days away from the noise of the city are sure to make for an unforgettable getaway. So don't hesitate to pack your bags and come explore!

See also: Soi Sim Island – Discovering the wild beauty in the heart of Ha Long Bay Heritage Site

1.2 When is the best time to visit Ngoc Vung Island?

Blessed with pleasantly cool weather year-round, Ngoc Vung Island is a great place to visit and explore at any time. In early summer, the sea is calm, the waves are gentle, and there is little rain, making it ideal for outdoor activities and discovering the area's fascinating natural scenery. Visitors may therefore want to consider coming in summer, from May to August.

More seafood is also caught during this season than in other months of the year. This is a great opportunity to enjoy coastal cuisine, with a variety of freshly caught seafood prepared right on the spot. Depending on when you visit, you and your family can choose activities that suit you, especially evening entertainment.

September, October, and winter are times when locals advise against visiting. It rains frequently and storms are common, which can disrupt most of your plans and affect your mood throughout the trip.

2 How to get to Ngoc Vung Island

Getting to Ngoc Vung Island is fairly easy, as it is only about 50km from Van Don Port. Visitors can take several routes to reach the island. The easiest route is from Hanoi via Cam Pha to Cai Rong Port, where you can catch a boat to Ngoc Vung Island. Although you will need to take more than one bus, this route saves time because you can take a boat directly to the island.

You can catch a bus to Cam Pha from My Dinh, Giap Bat, or Gia Lam bus stations, among others. Tickets cost around 120.000 VNĐ per trip. When you get off the bus, you can take a motorbike taxi to the port, about 1km away. The journey from Hanoi to Cam Pha takes around 5 hours. Once there, continue your trip to Ngoc Vung Island by boat.

To reach Ngoc Vung Island, visitors take a wooden boat. Boats operate from 8h in the morning until 13h30, when services stop. The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Tickets cost around 50.000 VNĐ per person.

3 What makes Ngoc Vung Island special?

3.1 Ngoc Vung Island – An ideal sightseeing and photo spot

With its majestic, picturesque beauty, Ngoc Vung Island is an ideal place to take photos. Many visitors choose to explore the island and snap memorable shots against its sea and sky. On sunny days, Ngoc Vung Island is even more alluring, with beauty that takes your breath away, adding a magical touch to your photos.

On Ngoc Vung Island, visitors can also visit the memorial house and the site commemorating President Ho Chi Minh, where he met and spoke with island residents, or admire the island from the 12.7mm gun hill. Conquering the National Flag Tower and taking in views of the entire island from about 100m above sea level is another wonderful experience you should not miss.

Tuk-tuks and tandem bicycles are also available for rent, so visitors can roam around and admire the island's pristine, majestic natural scenery. You can also immerse yourself in the local way of life at an unhurried pace and experience it in the most authentic and vivid way.

3.2 Experience life in a fishing village

One of the most exciting experiences here is joining local fishing villagers to dig for clams on the beach or scoop shrimp from the sea. The clams on Ngoc Vung Island are white, large, and distinctively sweet, making them perfect for hot pots or grilling. Shrimp can be made into a salad served with mustard, island-style, or dried.

There are also homestays in local homes and stilt houses for visitors who want to stay overnight. Room rates start at 60.000 VNĐ - 100.000 VNĐ/person/night. Many people love and choose these homestays because they are quite close to the sea. Here's a tip: the homestays are also wonderful "seafood restaurants" for anyone who loves coastal cuisine.

3.3 Enjoy delicious fresh seafood

Sampling distinctive dishes with the signature flavors of the coast is something everyone looks forward to when visiting the seaside. When you arrive on Ngoc Vung Island, the seafood paradise awaiting you is sure to delight you with the flavors of its many dishes.

In late autumn and early winter, grouper hot pot is a local specialty of the waters around Ngoc Vung Island. According to local residents, grouper is fattier and tastier at this time of year, thanks to nutrient-rich seawater and an abundance of food that supports the fish's growth. Visitors can also try the island's clams, which are 5-6 times larger than usual. They are naturally clean and not farmed, so supplies are limited. The clams are wonderfully sweet and can be prepared in many ways, including in soup, porridge, and hot pot.

Though found in many coastal areas, tiger prawns and grilled squid on the island are distinctive thanks to a special marinade that only local islanders know how to prepare. The island is also home to green crabs, which are highly nutritious and have fragrant, sweet meat. Once cooked, they promise an irresistible treat.

If you are looking for a peaceful retreat, Ngoc Vung Island is an excellent choice not to be missed. Besides strolling along the beach and playing in the cool blue waves, visitors can also enjoy a bonfire, a barbecue, and singing right on the island. We hope you have a wonderful trip filled with unforgettable memories.