Discover Ngoc Vung Island: Peaceful Yet Remarkably Captivating

1Overview of Ngoc Vung Island

1.1 A few facts about Ngoc Vung Island

Ngoc Vung Island is located in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province. Covering an area of approximately 45km, it possesses a pristine beauty resembling a precious gem in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay. The island's population is quite sparse, numbering only around 1,000 people. The name Ngoc Vung Island also originates from the rare pearl oysters found here. When night falls, they glow, making the entire sky shimmer.

In addition to its beautiful natural landscape and inherent pristine character, Ngoc Vung Island also allows visitors to explore many historical vestiges. Say goodbye to the bustling destinations in the city center—Ngoc Vung Island is the ideal destination if you want a change of scenery and to discover a new horizon that is not yet known by too many people.

Raking for clams, grilling them, catching tiny shrimp to make salad, and enjoying days of rest while temporarily forgetting the noisy atmosphere of the city will surely make for wonderful days that cannot always be experienced. So don't hesitate to pack your backpack and come explore right away!

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

1.2 When should you visit Ngoc Vung Island?

Blessed by nature with cool weather year-round, visitors can reasonably choose to visit and explore Ngoc Vung Island at any time. At the beginning of summer, the sea is quite calm, the waves are still, and there is little rain, making it extremely convenient for recreational activities and exploring the fascinating natural environment. Visitors can therefore consider visiting in summer, from May to August.

More seafood is also caught during this season than in other months of the year. This will therefore be an opportunity for you to enjoy coastal cuisine with a variety of seafood caught and freshly prepared on the spot. Depending on the specific time, you and your family can choose suitable activities, especially nighttime entertainment.

September, October, and winter are the periods that local people recommend avoiding for exploration. At this time, there is a lot of rain and storms are frequent, affecting most of your plans and your mood throughout the trip.

2How to get to Ngoc Vung Island

Getting to Ngoc Vung Island is quite easy because it is only about 50km from Van Don wharf. Visitors can take several routes to reach the island. The easiest route is from Hanoi through Cam Pha to Cai Rong Port, from where you can travel to Ngoc Vung Island. Although visitors will have to take more bus routes, this saves time because they can take a boat directly to the island.

Visitors can take a bus to Cam Pha from My Dinh, Giap Bat, or Gia Lam bus stations, among others, for approximately 120,000 VND/trip. After getting off the bus, you can take a motorbike taxi to the port, about 1km away. The journey from Hanoi to Cam Pha takes approximately 5 hours. Once there, travel to Ngoc Vung Island by boat.

To reach Ngoc Vung Island, visitors travel by wooden boat. Boats operate from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., when services stop. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Boat fares range from 50,000 VND/person. 

3What makes Ngoc Vung Island special?

3.1 Ngoc Vung Island - An ideal sightseeing and check-in destination

With its majestic and poetic beauty, Ngoc Vung Island is an extremely ideal check-in destination. Many visitors choose to visit this island to take photos with the sea and sky here. On sunny days, Ngoc Vung Island takes on an even more captivating and breathtaking beauty, adding a sparkling effect to your photos.

At Ngoc Vung Island, visitors also have the opportunity to visit the memorial house and the memorial site dedicated to Uncle Ho on the island, where he visited and spoke with the island residents, or admire the island from the 12.7mm gun hill. In addition, conquering the National Flag Tower and viewing the entire island from a height of approximately 100m above sea level is also a wonderful experience that you must try.

Tuk-tuks and tandem bicycles are also available for rent here, allowing visitors to explore and admire Ngoc Vung Island's pristine, majestic natural scenery. At the same time, you can immerse yourself in the local people's way of life in the most leisurely, authentic, and vivid manner.

3.2 Immerse yourself in the life of the fishing village residents

One of the most interesting experiences you must have here is joining the fishing village residents to rake for clams on the sandy beach or scoop tiny shrimp from the sea. Clams on Ngoc Vung Island are white, very large, and have a distinctive sweetness, making them ideal for hotpot or grilling. The tiny shrimp can be prepared as salad eaten with mustard in the islanders' style or dried.

There are also homestays in local people's houses and stilt houses for visitors who wish to stay overnight. Room rental prices here start at only 60,000 VND - 100,000 VND/Person/Night. Because the homestays are quite close to the sea, they are very popular and widely chosen. Here's a tip: the homestays are also excellent "seafood restaurants" for those who love coastal cuisine.

3.3 Enjoying incredibly enticing fresh seafood

Enjoying many exceptional dishes with distinctive coastal flavors is surely something everyone looks forward to when visiting the sea. When you visit Ngoc Vung Island, the seafood paradise unfolding before your eyes will certainly leave you captivated and immersed in the flavors of each local dish.

Usually in late autumn and early winter, grouper hotpot is a specialty of the waters around Ngoc Vung Island. According to local people, grouper meat is fattier and tastier during this period than at any other time of year, thanks to the nutrient-rich seawater and abundant food that supports their growth. Visitors can also enjoy clams on Ngoc Vung Island that are 5-6 times larger, naturally clean, and not farmed, so they are not available in large quantities. The clams are very sweet and can be prepared in many dishes, such as soup, porridge, and hotpot.

Although not unfamiliar in coastal areas, tiger prawns and grilled squid on the island are very different because of the distinctive marinade that only the island residents can prepare. There is also blue crab, which is highly nutritious and has fragrant, sweet meat, promising to offer diners an irresistible delight once prepared.

If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax, Ngoc Vung Island is a wonderful choice that should not be missed. Besides walking along the beach and playing in the cool blue waves, visitors can also organize a campfire, hold a barbecue, and sing right on the island, which is great fun. Wishing you a joyful trip filled with unforgettable memories.