Son Hao Beach Quan Lan: A Pristine Coastal Paradise with a Unique Round Stone Beach

1 Location of Son Hao Beach and Travel Experience to Quan Lan Island

If you are looking for a beach that preserves its wild, natural beauty without being too crowded like other Quang Ninh tourist spots, Son Hao Beach is the perfect destination. Located in Son Hao village on Quan Lan Island (Van Don special economic zone), this beach is situated right between two other famous beaches: Quan Lan and Minh Chau.

My recent trip started from Hanoi, traveling along an extremely convenient route:

• Leg 1 (Hanoi – Ao Tien Port, Van Don): I drove by car along the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long – Van Don expressway, taking about 3.5 to 4 hours to reach Ao Tien International Port.
• Leg 2 (Ao Tien Port – Quan Lan Island): At the port, I bought a speedboat ticket to the island for 200,000 VND/one-way. Cutting through the waves, the boat took only about 45 - 50 minutes to dock at Quan Lan. Make sure to check the boat schedule in advance to avoid missing your trip.
• Leg 3 (Quan Lan Port – Son Hao Beach): The beach is about 7.5 km from the island center. We chose to rent an electric car from the hotel for door-to-door transfer, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze leisurely along the way.

2 What Makes Son Hao Beach Attractive?

With a stretch of sand over 3 km long embracing the clear blue sea waters, Son Hao Beach captivated me from the very first moment I set foot on its sands.

2.1 Immerse yourself in cool blue waters and watch the sunset fall

The sea water at Son Hao Beach is exceptionally clean and crystal clear. A hallmark of this beach is the lush green casuarina grove running along the coastline. Quite an interesting feature is that when high tide comes in, the beach narrows and slopes gently, creating an exhilarating sensation as waves lap right at your feet.

After hours of swimming happily in the cool waters to beat the summer heat, my favorite experience was strolling on the sand to watch the sunset. The entire sky tinted with romantic golden-orange shades, with fishing boat fleets returning in the distance, brings an indescribable sense of tranquility.

2.2 Get lost in the fascinating space of Da Tron Beach

Located right next to Son Hao Beach is Da Tron Beach, a unique highlight you definitely should not miss. Along the shore lie thousands of stones of various sizes, ranging from round to oval shapes with glossy smooth surfaces eroded by ocean waves over hundreds of years.

This spot makes for extremely impressive check-in photos. Local fishermen even enthusiastically shared folk legends associated with the rocky shore, such as relics of the statue of the God of Thunder or the "fairy footprint" stamped onto the mortal realm, making the visit all the more intriguing.

2.3 Overnight camping and exploring nearby attractions

With its wide and flat sandy shore, Son Hao Beach is an ideal venue for groups of friends to organize team-building activities, pitch overnight camping tents, and build campfires while singing under a starry night sky. If you have extra time, you can also rent a motorbike to explore surrounding sites on the island such as Eo Gio Quan Lan for panoramic ocean views, Minh Chau Beach with its powdery white sand, or the ancient Quan Lan Communal House.

3 Savoring Fresh and Delicious Seafood

Traveling to Son Hao Beach without indulging in seafood would be a major miss. We were treated to a feast of fresh seafood caught within the day right by local islanders.

Tempting must-try dishes include roasted peanut worms with their fragrant, nutty flavor, steamed stone crab with sweet tender meat, crunchy jellyfish salad, grilled sea urchin with scallion oil, and nutritious sea cucumbers. Dishes at seaside restaurants are prepared with well-balanced flavors, preserving the natural sweetness of the sea while remaining reasonably priced. If you enjoy cooking yourself, you can wake up early, visit the local seafood market to buy live catches, and ask your homestay host to prepare a BBQ party.

4 Handy Tips for a Complete Trip to Son Hao Beach

• Best time to visit: You should plan your trip during summer (from April to June) or autumn (from September to November). At these times, the weather is sunny, the sea is calm, and the water is crystal clear. Try to avoid July and August as this is the storm season in Northern Vietnam.
• Accommodations: Around the beach area, there are stilt houses, homestays, bungalows, or forest-side villas at budget-friendly rates starting from only 350,000 VND/night; you should call to book in advance to secure nice rooms.
• Items to prepare: Do not forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, waterproof phone pouches, and an adequate amount of cash, as there are not many ATMs on the island.
• Environmental protection: To ensure Son Hao Beach retains its pristine inherent beauty, remember to clean up your trash thoroughly after dining or camping.

The trip to Son Hao Beach brought me wonderful moments of relaxation and rejuvenation. The cool, refreshing waters, the unique Da Tron Beach, along with the warm hospitality of Quan Lan locals will surely make you fall in love with this land right from your very first visit. If you are looking for a refreshing getaway for your upcoming holiday, pack your backpack and explore Son Hao Beach right away!