1 Soi Sim Island’s pristine ecosystem and dreamy purple hues
What makes Soi Sim Beach special is its remarkably well-preserved flora and fauna. What impressed me most was the island’s lush primary forest.
The island’s defining feature is a grove of ancient rose myrtle trees growing entirely in the wild. Every year, around May, the rose myrtle blossoms burst into bloom, tinting the hillsides purple. This hue creates an unparalleled romantic scene and is also the origin of the island’s name.
In 2011, Quang Ninh Province established the Ha Long Bay Flora and Fauna Conservation Area here. The entire forest ecosystem, along with the island’s terrestrial and marine plant and animal communities, is now strictly protected to preserve the area’s biodiversity.
This area is home to many precious plant species endemic to the Ha Long Bay heritage site. Illustrative photo: Lao Dong Newspaper
2 The island’s secluded location and how to reach Soi Sim
The island covers approximately 8.7 ha and lies about 12 km from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port. To reach Soi Sim Island’s fresh, unspoiled surroundings, I usually take a boat on Route 2. Completely secluded and currently offering very few commercial tourist services, the island provides absolute tranquility for those looking to reconnect with coastal nature.
This journey across the waves takes around 90 minutes. Illustrative photo: La Nghia Hieu
3 International recognition confirms Soi Sim Beach’s standing
On June 8, the US-based global beach ranking organization Corona Beach 100 announced its list of the beaches worth experiencing most in 2026. This annual award is organized by the Corona brand in collaboration with travel experience company WINK. The list was released on World Oceans Day to inspire people to get outdoors and raise awareness of the need to protect coastal and marine ecosystems around the world. Experts assess destinations against three rigorous criteria: local beach culture, connection with nature, and overall scenic beauty.
This year’s ranking features renowned destinations from 22 countries, including 27 new entries. Soi Sim Beach is proud to be the only Vietnamese representative on the list. In Southeast Asia, it joins famous island paradises such as Alegria, Cloud 9, and Nacpan in the Philippines; Koh Mak and Railay in Thailand; and Padar and Pink Beach in Indonesia’s Labuan Bajo Bay.
Being named one of the world’s 100 most beautiful beaches is proof of this destination’s extraordinary scenic value. Illustrative photo: Kenh14
4 Soi Sim Beach’s unspoiled appeal and things to do
4.1 The beauty of Soi Sim Beach
The sight that stayed with me most when I arrived was the stretch of fine white sand, more than 200 meters long, embracing the cool waters. At Soi Sim Beach, I could immerse myself in the vast expanse of sea and sky and let go of all my worries. Many visitors make the journey to this island simply because they have fallen for the absolute peace and quiet of its natural surroundings.
Taking photos along the island’s walking trail. Illustrative photo: Nguyen Hung
Nature has also blessed the island with an exceptionally rich carpet of vegetation, thanks to its distinctive geology, which combines feralit soil and red weathered soil. This place is like a wild green gem that has remained largely untouched by human development.
I was delighted to see playful monkeys roaming freely and interacting amicably with visitors. In particular, if you visit the island between May and August, the hillsides will be awash in the dreamy purple of rose myrtle blossoms.
The romantic blossoms blanket the paths, and this wild plant inspired the island’s affectionate name. Illustrative photo: Picasa
4.2 Things to do at Soi Sim Beach
If you love speed, jet skis are available for rent along the shore, so you can take the controls and zip around the island. If you are not yet confident at the wheel, technicians are on hand to offer help and guidance. From this breezy vantage point, I could gaze into the distance and take in the majestic scenery on both the southeastern and northwestern sides of Ha Long Bay.
After an exhilarating ride across the waves, take on the challenge of climbing 400 steps to the island’s highest peak—it is well worth the effort. Illustrative photo: Halongstyle
4.3 Soi Sim Beach’s unspoiled nature and abundant vegetation
March to May and August to October are considered the two best periods to visit. The weather is dry and cool, making it ideal for hiking and swimming at Soi Sim Beach. May to August is the peak rose myrtle blooming season, offering striking backdrops for check-in photos that are sure to earn you plenty of likes on social media.
The island is sparsely populated and has no overnight accommodation services, so I recommend staying at a hotel in central Ha Long City or near Bai Chay for convenient travel.
The mainland offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses and homestays to luxury resorts. Illustrative photo: HA LONG BAY
Some notable options in the Bai Chay area include Oakwood Ha Long on Ha Long Road, River Hotel Ha Long, and D'Lioro Hotel & Resort on Hai Quan Road. To secure your preferred accommodation, it is best to book and pay in advance through travel apps such as Traveloka.
4.4 Savor the distinctive culinary specialties of the Soi Sim coast
The food around Soi Sim Beach and Ha Long is sure to delight seafood lovers. At the top of the list for nutritional value is sá sùng, a famous local delicacy. Fresh sá sùng is often simmered to make a delicately sweet broth for phở or stir-fried with fragrant garlic. Dried sá sùng, when grilled over charcoal, makes a crispy, delicious snack to enjoy with drinks.
Another unique specialty I recommend trying is cà sáy, a distinctive poultry breed carefully developed by crossbreeding ducks and Muscovy ducks. Quang Ninh cà sáy is renowned for its firm, richly sweet meat, with no unpleasant gamey smell. It can be prepared in many ways, including grilled, braised, cooked as porridge, or boiled.
Boiled cà sáy, a Quang Ninh specialty. Illustrative photo: Challenge Me
The best way to enjoy it, though, is boiled until just done and served with spicy ginger fish sauce to bring out its natural sweetness. Be sure to save room for other famous local dishes, such as golden-brown hand-pounded squid cake, horseshoe crab, and the unusual bánh gật gù rice rolls.
5 Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
5.1 How much does a package covering the sightseeing ticket and boat trip to the island cost?
To reach the island, you need to buy a ticket for Ha Long Bay Route 2, which costs approximately 290,000 VND per person. You will then pay around 200,000 VND for the boat trip to the island. The total fixed cost for this itinerary is approximately 490,000 VND per passenger.
5.2 How long does the boat trip from the mainland to the island take?
From Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, the boat trip across the sea to the island takes about 90 minutes to cover 12 km. However, if you set out from the mainland after visiting other attractions on Route 2, the boat ride to the island takes only around 20 minutes over a distance of a few kilometers.
5.3 What kind of meat is the island’s cà sáy specialty, and what is the best way to eat it?
Cà sáy is a specialty poultry breed developed by crossbreeding ducks and Muscovy ducks. Its meat is firm, richly sweet, and not gamey. The best way to preserve its natural sweetness is to boil it and serve it with spicy ginger fish sauce.
The journey to Soi Sim Beach—covering hundreds of kilometers by coach or plane, followed by a bumpy boat ride—calls for your belongings to be well protected. Traveling by several types of transport can easily subject your luggage to unwanted knocks. That is why I trust suitcases from MIA.vn.
