1 A brief overview of Soi Sim Island
Location: Southwest of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Ha Long has long been one of the most alluring destinations on Vietnam’s travel map. Its thousands of magnificent islands, large and small, are a remarkable gift of nature. Among them are Tuan Chau Island, Dragon Eye Island, Co To Island… And no picture of the bay would be complete without Soi Sim Island.
Tucked away on the western side of Ha Long Bay, Soi Sim Island is 12km from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, less than 700m from the famous Ti Top Island, and about 10km from Bai Chay. This is an ideal, hugely popular destination for anyone eager to discover something new and uniquely pristine.
The peaceful, untouched beauty of Soi Sim Island is still little known
Covering just 7.8ha, Soi Sim Island brings together the captivating beauty of blue seas, white sands, and rolling hills
The island is made up of rock and fertile feralit soil, which supports a rich variety of vegetation
What’s more, myrtle trees are especially abundant here. Perhaps that is why the island was given its distinctive name
When visiting Soi Sim Island, you can not only immerse yourself in the cool, clear waters but also soak up its wonderfully romantic atmosphere. What could be better?
A stunning view of the island from above
Watch this video for a glimpse of the paradise in Ha Long Bay:
These spectacular shots of Soi Sim Island are captivating even just to watch. Source: YouTube/Review Ha Long
2 How to get to Soi Sim Island
2.1 Traveling from Hanoi to Ha Long
To reach Soi Sim Island, visitors first need to get to Ha Long Bay. From Hanoi, you can catch a coach to Ha Long at My Dinh Bus Station. Fares range from 100.000VNĐ - 180.000VNĐ per person per trip, depending on the operator, and the journey takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. For a more comfortable trip, you can also take a limousine for 220.000VNĐ per person per trip. The fare is not much higher than that of other vehicles, but the service is better. Limousines do not pick up passengers along the way, so the journey is faster too—it takes only 3 hours!
2.2 Traveling from Ha Long to Soi Sim Island
Once you arrive in Ha Long, take a taxi to the pier to continue to Soi Sim Island. You will need to buy a ticket for Ha Long Bay sightseeing Route 2, as Soi Sim is one of the destinations on this route. Route 2 includes several fascinating attractions: Soi Sim Island, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Bo Nau Cave, Ho Dong Tien Cave, Luon Cave, Trong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, and Me Cung Cave. Visitors then need to pay to hire a boat to the island.
The standard boat fare for individual travelers to Soi Sim Island is 150.000VNĐ per person, and the journey takes about 20 minutes
3 When is the best time to visit Soi Sim Island?
In general, visitors can explore Soi Sim Island at any time of year. However, according to seasoned travelers who have visited many times, the best time to check out this captivating island is from March to May and from August to October. The weather is lovely and dry during these months, making it ideal for exploring and discovering every corner of Soi Sim Island.
Remember to check the weather forecast before visiting Soi Sim Island!
If you visit in summer, from May to August, the hillsides are cloaked in purple myrtle blossoms that spill across the paths. With this as your backdrop, strike a pose and you’re sure to get plenty of “million-like” photos on Facebook.
4 What makes Soi Sim Island an exciting place to visit?
Worried you won’t know what to do on Soi Sim Island? There’s no need to worry—there are plenty of exciting experiences here that you won’t want to miss!
4.1 Take a refreshing swim at Soi Sim Beach
One of the first things to impress visitors arriving at Soi Sim Island is its beach. Fine white sand stretches along a crescent-shaped shore beneath the golden sunshine, while the clear blue water creates an incredibly romantic natural scene that is sure to win your heart.
Enjoy a swim in the refreshing water, leave the stresses of everyday life behind, and simply relax
Or stretch out lazily on the sand and let the warm sunshine caress your skin
The blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine of Soi Sim Island are calling
4.2 Explore the island’s primeval forest
Alongside its breathtaking, untouched beach, Soi Sim Island also piques the curiosity of nature lovers with its rich ecosystem. The landscape here has not been altered by human activity, so it retains its original, natural beauty.
About two-thirds of Soi Sim Island is covered by red weathered soil and feralit soil, supporting an exceptionally rich variety of vegetation
When visiting Soi Sim Island, you may also get the chance to meet some of the adorable animals that live here. You certainly won’t regret choosing to visit this island.
4.3 Hike to the summit of Soi Sim Island
If you’ve ever seen a photo of Ha Long Bay, there’s a good chance it was taken from the island’s highest peak, reached by climbing more than 400 steps. From the 360-degree viewpoint, visitors can admire the bay from many different angles, with the entire seascape spread out before them.
A wooden walkway and more than 400 steps lead to the summit
Limestone cliffs rise on one side, while the deep-blue sea rolls and murmurs on the other
You won’t regret making the challenging climb—the beauty of Ha Long Bay from the summit of Soi Sim Island will make it all worthwhile
4.4 Admire the purple myrtle blossoms
Another highlight that Soi Sim Island has in store for travelers is its seemingly endless stretches of myrtle forest. If you’re lucky enough to visit when the flowers are in bloom, you’ll be enchanted by the striking, vivid-purple scenery.
Myrtle blossoms on Soi Sim Island
Each flowering season, patches of myrtle burst into purple across the mountainside, making the already picturesque landscape even more romantic
5 A few things to keep in mind when visiting Soi Sim Island
To make the most of your trip to Soi Sim Island, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Soi Sim Island is still quite pristine and has not been developed for tourism, so there are few shops and eateries. Visitors should bring drinking water and some food to refuel after a day of activities.
- For your safety when climbing Soi Sim Peak, use the stairs provided both on the way up and down!
- The island’s appeal lies in its pristine beauty and cleanliness, so please be mindful of the environment and do not litter.
- Soi Sim Island is still relatively quiet, so beach lovers should not swim too far from shore to avoid any mishaps.
Located in the core zone of Ha Long Bay, Soi Sim Island is increasingly attracting young travelers eager to explore, discover its charms, and immerse themselves in its romantic atmosphere. Make sure to visit and see it for yourself!
