The most important thing to understand when traveling to Quảng Ninh’s islands is: The ferry schedule is provisional, while permission to depart depends on actual safety conditions. In 2026, Quảng Ninh will continue strengthening its thunderstorm and tornado forecasting and warning system for Hạ Long Bay and Bái Tử Long Bay, while also investing in X-band radar to improve the early warning of dangerous weather.
Cô Tô also shows how this mechanism works in practice: ahead of the impact of Typhoon No. 1 in July 2026, the locality temporarily suspended sightseeing, swimming, and activities posing safety risks; only at 8 a.m. on July 6, when conditions had stabilized, were activities allowed to resume.
Step 1: verify information from official sources
Do not rely on:
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A Facebook status.
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A message from a driver.
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Word of mouth at the hotel.
Check in this order: the ferry operator → the port/terminal → the local authorities/official information portal. If the ferry operator says “not operating yet” but someone else says a small boat is accepting private passengers, do not take the small boat.
Step 2: if you are on the mainland
Do not continue to the port hoping that “there might be a ferry once you get there.” Instead:
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Confirm your ticket status.
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Contact your accommodation on the island.
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Ask about changing the date or cancellation conditions.
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Look for a room in Vân Đồn if you have to stay on the mainland.
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Adjust your subsequent itinerary.
Do not cancel all your bookings on your own before asking about the policy. Some places offer better date-change support than refunds.
Step 3: if you are on the island and cannot return yet
The first thing to do is not look for another boat. Make sure you have:
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A place to sleep.
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Your personal medication.
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Enough money/payment methods.
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A charged phone.
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A schedule for contacting the ferry operator.
Only then deal with:
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Flights.
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Long-distance buses.
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Hotels for the next leg.
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The next tour.
Step 4: do not schedule connecting legs too tightly
This is the best emergency measure because it is taken before a problem occurs. If you have to catch an important international flight tomorrow, do not schedule your return from the island for the morning of the same day. A one-night buffer on the mainland is well worth it for journeys that cannot be missed.
When should you call 112?
Call 112 if you are in an emergency situation such as:
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Being stranded in a dangerous area.
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Being involved in an accident.
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A vehicle or vessel breaking down.
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Someone going missing.
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A serious medical emergency.
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A natural disaster posing a direct threat.
112 is not a number for asking about ticket prices or requesting a booking refund.
Quick checklist
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Do not pressure the ferry to depart.
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Do not use an unauthorized service.
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Confirm official announcements.
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Contact the hotel as soon as possible.
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Adjust connecting tickets immediately.
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Have enough extra budget for at least one night.
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Keep your phone sufficiently charged.
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Genuine danger → call 112.
