Save these handy Bai Chay travel tips for first-timers right away

1 When is the best time to travel to Bai Chay?

When mentioning the tourism hub of Quang Ninh, you have likely heard of a stunning resort destination with a rather unusual name: Bai Chay. The origin of this name dates back to the French colonial era when this area was lush with trees and wild nature, and many fishing boats came ashore to light fires. However, the flames spread and scorched an entire coastal stretch, leading locals to call it Bai Chay (Burnt Beach).

The natural conditions here are extremely favorable, with pleasant and cool weather, allowing you to visit Bai Chay at any time of the year. However, the ideal time to come is from April to September, when Bai Chay enjoys exceptionally beautiful weather with gentle sunshine, shimmering sands, and crystal-clear blue skies and waters. 

2 Transportation to Bai Chay

Currently, there are various transportation options to reach Bai Chay, Quang Ninh that you can consider before departing.

- Train:  Depart from Yen Vien Station, Gia Lam, Hanoi to Ha Long Station, then head to Bai Chay Bus Station and finally take a taxi to your destination.

- Coach: From My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations, there are many coaches heading to Bai Chay, Quang Ninh with ticket fares around 100,000 VND/person, departing every 5-10 minutes.

- Motorbike: Many travelers choose this option for traveling. Along this journey, you can enjoy sightseeing and soak in the fresh air. There are 2 main routes: travel along Route 5 to the Sai Dong intersection, turn toward Bac Ninh, then follow Route 18 through Chi Linh, Hai Duong to Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, and finally arrive in Ha Long. Alternatively, you can travel from Noi Bai Airport to Bac Ninh, pass through Pha Lai, Chi Linh, and then proceed to Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, and Ha Long.

3 Entertainment attractions in Bai Chay

3.1 Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chay Beach in Quang Ninh is a beautiful and renowned beach in Vietnam. Bai Chay is an artificial beach boasting a coastline up to 1000m long and over 100m wide. It features cool, crystal-clear blue waters along with numerous clean and scenic bathing areas. Every year, Bai Chay attracts a massive influx of tourists. With its fresh air and lush rows of trees along the shoreline creating picturesque landscapes, Bai Chay brings a sense of comfort and relaxation to every visitor who sets foot here.

Coming here, you can dive and swim freely in the cool waters, stroll along the sparkling sands, sunbathe while enjoying the ocean breeze, or participate in exciting beach sports and games. Services here are also very diverse, including bicycle rentals, kite rentals, and on-site food and drink services to guarantee you an exceptionally enjoyable and relaxing experience.

3.2 Bai Chay Bridge

Bai Chay Bridge is acclaimed by international experts as breathtaking and stands as one of the five largest single-plane cable-stayed bridges in the world. The bridge was constructed to connect Hon Gai to Bai Chay across the Cua Luc strait, spanning a total length of up to 1106m.

Standing on the bridge, you will witness its truly magnificent and harmonious architecture. At night, the bridge is illuminated by shimmering lights. Below the bridge lies a long, scenic pedestrian walkway where you can savor the refreshing, cool atmosphere of the area.

See also: Discover Bai Chay Bridge - A unique architectural masterpiece of Quang Ninh

3.3 Bai Chay Night Market

Bai Chay Night Market in Quang Ninh is an unbeatable destination to explore at night. If you want to savor Quang Ninh specialties, an abundant selection of fresh, delicious seafood awaits. Bai Chay Night Market also offers a wide array of exquisite handicrafts, making great gifts for your family and friends. The night market is a favorite choice that no visitor should miss to experience the vibrant local nightlife.

3.4 Bai Chay Old Town

Bai Chay Old Town in Quang Ninh features an antique yet refreshing architectural design. The neighborhood evokes the charm of Hanoi's 36 Old Streets or Hoi An Ancient Town. With its vintage and eye-catching architecture, this spot is favored by many young people for photo check-ins. Visiting here, you will capture the essence of a bustling historic trading town. The poetic scenery combined with modern storefronts will make your journey memorable. Bai Chay Old Town is open 24/7, allowing you to tour freely and comfortably.

3.5 Bai Chay Western Quarter

Bai Chay Western Quarter in Quang Ninh hosts numerous well-known cafes. For young travelers, this is an ideal photo check-in hotspot. Bai Chay Western Quarter is located within a planned development project. The buildings lining the street display vibrant, impressive colors that give you the feeling of traveling in Europe. Consequently, there are plenty of “Instagrammable” corners for you to freely take photos.

3.6 Instagrammable cafes around Bai Chay

In Bai Chay, there are numerous cafes with pleasant ambiances, delicious drinks, and most importantly, plenty of “Instagrammable” corners to help you snap incredible pictures:

- Halong Ecolodge - Eco House

Address: Group 4, Zone 4, Bai Chay, Ha Long

- Gio Coffee

Address: Dang Ba Hat, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

- Kafa Bai Chay

Address:

PG2-01 Vinhomes Dragon Bay, Ben Doan, Ha Long City 

PG1-28 Vinhomes Dragon Bay, Ben Doan, Ha Long City

A2-25 Mon Bay New Urban Area, Ha Long City

Cai Dam New Urban Area, Bai Chay, Ha Long City

4 What should you eat when visiting Bai Chay?

If you are taking a 3-day 2-night trip to Bai Chay, Quang Ninh, remember to indulge in the local specialty dishes. Eateries across Bai Chay, Quang Ninh serve them all.

- Steamed stone crab (cu ky)

Steamed stone crab is a must-try delicacy when you visit Bai Chay. It is a simple preparation: just choose fresh stone crabs, steam them with a little beer, lemongrass, and chili, and you will have an exceptionally tasty dish in just about 15-20 minutes.

- Peanut worms (sa sung)

This is an extremely nutritious and valuable seafood. Shaped like a worm, it was historically reserved as food for kings. Fresh peanut worms are stir-fried, while dried peanut worms are used to flavor pho broth to impart a rich, natural sweetness.

- Fried squid with eggs

Freshly caught live squid lets you savor all the sweetness and freshness of the squid meat. Once prepared and grilled, dipped into chili salt or fish sauce, nothing compares. The price is also quite affordable at just 70,000 VND - 80,000 VND/plate. Additionally, the famous squid sausage (cha muc) is also widely celebrated.

- Horseshoe crab (sam bien)

Horseshoe crab is a delicious and highly nutritious seafood. It can be stir-fried sweet and sour in a pan or marinated and grilled over glowing charcoal embers, both yielding wonderful results. To prepare this dish properly, the chef must possess well-honed culinary techniques.

5 Bai Chay specialties to buy as gifts

Specialties in Bai Chay, Quang Ninh are mostly processed seafood products. What impresses most visitors the most are dried shrimp, dried patties, dried squid, and dried peanut worms. These are wonderful choices to bring home as gifts for friends, family, and loved ones after an enjoyable tour of Bai Chay, Quang Ninh.

Squid sausage costs around 250,000 VND - 500,000 VND/kg, dried squid ranges from approximately 350,000 VND - 1,000,000 VND or more/kg, and peanut worms cost around 2-2.5 million VND/kg. You can purchase all of these at the Quang Ninh night market.

Bai Chay, Quang Ninh is an ideal getaway for many travelers. This is a wonderful destination that not only offers you moments of relaxation and comfort, but also delivers refreshing experiences, particularly through its cuisine. If you have the chance, be sure to pay a visit to Bai Chay.