Pocket useful Van Don travel experiences for yourself

1 Overview of Van Don, Quang Ninh

Van Don is an island archipelago located in the southeast of Quang Ninh Province and is a tourist paradise with over 600 diverse islands, big and small. The Van Don tourist destination is situated about 50 km from the center of Ha Long City and lies right next to Bai Tu Long Bay. This is precisely what makes Van Don a destination with immense tourism potential. 

Coming to Van Don, you can experience a variety of appealing tourism forms such as spiritual, eco-, and experiential tourism. With more than 20 inhabited islands—among which notable names include Quan Lan Island, Minh Chau Island, Ngoc Vung Island, etc.—you can completely choose the travel style that suits you to enjoy exciting experiences when visiting here.

2 Tips for traveling around Van Don

2.1 Ideal time to travel to Van Don

Traveling to Van Don, Quang Ninh is always wonderful no matter what season of the year it is. But it must be said that summer is truly the fantastic time for you to pack your bags and explore the full beauty of Van Don. 

In the summer, Van Don puts on a picturesque scene with clear blue sea, stretching white sandy beaches, and sparkling golden sunshine. The landscape here will leave you filled with positive energy. 

Additionally, if you want to experience the atmosphere of traditional festivals and learn about the local cultural values of Van Don, you can visit between the 10th and the 20th day of the sixth lunar month.

2.2 How to get to Van Don?

The distance from Hanoi to Van Don is about 220 km, and you can easily choose one of the following means of transport to travel here:

- Motorbike: This is a suitable choice for those who love independent travel and enjoy exploring on their own throughout the journey. The route from Hanoi to Van Don is very interesting and not too far; you can completely rely on Google Maps to get here.

- Private car: Driving a car from Hanoi to Van Don takes about 4 - 5 hours. Just like a motorbike, traveling by private car allows you the freedom on your Van Don travel journey.

- Coach: In addition to the two means of transport above, you can choose coach services from Hanoi to Cua Ong, then travel by taxi or motorbike taxi to Van Don for 200,000 VND - 250,000 VND. This helps you freely explore Van Don without worrying about driving long distances. 

Please note that information on prices and transportation may change over time, so be sure to check specific details before deciding on your mode of transport.

2.3 Top 7 ideal destinations in Van Don

2.3.1 Quan Lan Communal House

Quan Lan Communal House is one of the unique tourist attractions in Van Don, Quang Ninh, regarded as a sacred communal house with a heroic history. Built to worship General Tran Khanh Du, a hero in the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders, Quan Lan Communal House marks an important chapter in the history of the Van Don region. In addition to honoring General Tran Khanh Du, local people also revere Duong Khong Lo and the Four Holy Ladies, creating a sacred space of long-standing cultural and historical value. 

2.3.2 Quan Lan Beach

Near Quan Lan Communal House, you can also freely swim and unwind right at Quan Lan Beach. Quan Lan Beach is renowned for its long stretch of white sand, fresh air, and pristine natural beauty. All of these factors have turned Quan Lan Beach into an extraordinary destination that attracts visitors from everywhere.

To get to Quan Lan Island, you can take a speedboat from Cai Rong, which takes about 40 - 50 minutes. Below is the boat schedule for this route so you can plan your trip more proactively:

- Cai Rong – Quan Lan: 2 trips per day, departing at 7:30 and 13:30.

- Quan Lan – Cai Rong: 2 trips per day, departing at 8:30 and 14:30.

2.3.3 Bai Dai 

Bai Dai Van Don is one of the beaches well worth taking the time to explore when traveling to Quang Ninh. Located 50km east and southeast of Ha Long City, Bai Dai has undergone an impressive transformation thanks to investments in international-standard resort facilities. However, that still has not taken away the pristine and mystical beauty that is uniquely its own. 

2.3.4 Ngoc Vung Island

Ngoc Vung Beach, located on Ngoc Vung Island, is an icon of the majestic beauty of untouched nature. With deep blue sea waters and pristine white sand, Ngoc Vung Beach is a unique and lesser-known destination. However, this might just be the most ideal stop throughout your journey exploring Van Don. 

2.3.5 Son Hao Beach

Son Hao Beach is situated between Minh Chau Beach and Quan Lan Island, with a total length of over 3km. This place still preserves its natural beauty with clear blue sea waters and a poetic, lyrical landscape. In particular, you will be impressed by the vast casuarina groves swaying in the wind.

Son Hao Beach is among the most poetic beaches in Quan Lan, and this place deserves a spot in your Van Don travel handbook. 

2.4 Savor Van Don specialties

When traveling to Van Don, Quang Ninh, you will have the chance to savor unique, delicious dishes rich in oceanic flavors along with specialties of the mining land. Below are some dishes and specialties you should not miss:

2.4.1. Fresh seafood at Van Don Market, Quang Ninh

At Van Don Market, you can find and buy fresh seafood such as squid, oysters, geoducks, and peanut worms. Dishes prepared from these types of seafood are not only delicious but also very nutritious. You can enjoy the fresh taste of this seafood at local restaurants or buy it yourself to prepare on the spot.

2.4.2. Squid patties

Squid patties are a specialty of Quang Ninh. What makes squid patties in Van Don special is that the squid is selected from the Ha Long sea, offering unique freshness and delicious flavor. When enjoying squid patties, you can pair them with white sticky rice, soft steamed rice, or steamed rice rolls; make sure to try this delicious dish when you visit Van Don.

2.4.3 Horseshoe crab

Horseshoe crab is a rather distinctive seafood of Van Don. There are many delicious dishes prepared from horseshoe crab, such as horseshoe crab salad, sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab, horseshoe crab blood pudding, lemongrass and chili stir-fried horseshoe crab, steamed horseshoe crab, grilled horseshoe crab cartilage, stir-fried glass noodles with horseshoe crab, crispy fried horseshoe crab eggs, and horseshoe crab eggs stir-fried with piper lolot leaves. All of these dishes are rich in sea flavors and worth trying at least once.  

2.4.4. Banh gat gu - Van Don specialty

Banh gat gu is a rustic dish made from rice flour, rolled into cylinders, and usually served with fish sauce braised with chicken fat and fried shallots. You can travel to Van Don and buy banh gat gu as gifts for your loved ones.

2.5 Rest at these 3 places when traveling to Van Don

2.5.1 Minh Chau Beach Resort

- Address: Ninh Hai Hamlet, Minh Chau Commune, Quang Ninh Province

- Room rate: From 1,350,000 VND/room 

Located at Quan Lan Beach, Minh Chau Beach Resort ranks among the most luxurious and well-equipped resorts in Van Don. Designed in an ancient Vietnamese style with thatched-roof houses, it combines a mountain-and-forest atmosphere with a poetic beach. This is definitely an ideal stop for those who love the traditional values of our nation. 

2.5.2 Hung Lam Resort Quan Lan

- Address: Son Hao Hamlet, Quan Lan Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province

- Room rate: 420,000 VND/room

Boasting a stunning seaside location, Hung Lam Resort Quan Lan is a long-established 3-star resort in this region. Designed in a rustic traditional wooden stilt-house style, this place is filled with fresh air and tranquility. 

2.5.3 Royal Lotus Halong Resort & Villas

- Address: Hung Thang Street, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

- Room rates: 800,000 VND/ room 

Known as an ideal getaway in Van Don, Quang Ninh, the grounds of Royal Lotus Halong Resort & Villas are designed in harmony with lush green landscapes. This place features a system of luxurious villas, comfortable hotel rooms, and a variety of amenities such as restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, and a wellness spa.

Above are exciting experiences to help make your trip to Van Don smoother and more fulfilling. MIA.vn hopes that this destination will leave you with many memorable moments.