1 An Overview of Ti Top Island
Location: located in Ha Long Bay, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Ha Long City has long been a precious gem and an iconic symbol of Vietnamese tourism. With thousands of large and small islands emerging amidst emerald waters, picturesque beaches, and renowned scenic spots such as Dragon Eye Island, Tuan Chau Island, Hon Gai, Quan Lan Island..., this land continues to be a favorite destination for both domestic and international travelers. Among them, Ti Top Island stands out as a relatively small yet remarkably impressive island!
See more: Tuan Chau Island - Discover the shining pearl on Ha Long Bay
Ti Top Island covers an area of 3.7ha
For first-time visitors, hearing the name Ti Top Island might sound a bit novel, but it is actually a renowned island situated right inside the world natural wonder of Ha Long Bay. This island lies 12km from Tuan Chau Port and approximately 7 to 8km southeast of Bai Chay Port, with Cua Luc Bay to the rear, Sung Sot Cave on Bo Hon Island in front, and Dam Nam Islet to the right. Ti Top Island will captivate visitors with its pristine, romantic, and peaceful charm, serving as an ideal stopover on any exploration of Ha Long Bay.
When viewed from above, you will see that Ti Top Island features a steep cliff on one side, an inclined slope on the other, and an exquisite crescent-shaped white sand beach.
2 History of Ti Top Island
Previously, Ti Top Island was widely known as Red Cross Island (Đảo Hồng Thập Tự) or Cemetery Island (Đảo Nghĩa Địa). The origin of this name dates back to 1905, when a French cargo ship navigating into Ha Long Bay struck a submerged reef and sank in Con Coc Cove due to the absence of a skilled local pilot. All crew members tragically perished and were buried on this island. From then on, fishermen rarely dared to cast their nets here out of fear of bad luck.
All of this information is preserved on a stone stele right in front of Ti Top Island, where every visiting guest can see it
Ti Top Island also underwent several name changes over time. In the late 19th century, it was called Cat Nang. Later, on November 22, 1962, President Ho Chi Minh and Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov visited the island together. To commemorate this friendship milestone between the Soviet Union and Vietnam, Uncle Ho named the island Ti Top.
Statue of hero Gherman Titov
3 When is the Ideal Time to Visit Ti Top Island?
With a pleasantly cool climate all year round, travelers can visit Ti Top Island at any time of the year. However, according to the experience of seasoned travelers who have been here multiple times, there are two "peak" seasons when large numbers of visitors flock to the island:
- From June to July: This is summer, featuring white sand and golden sunshine, making it highly suitable for resort vacations and seaside recreational activities.
This is the summer vacation period, during which the majority of visitors to Ti Top Island are Vietnamese and Asian tourists
- From December to February of the following year: During winter, the weather on Ti Top Island is quite chilly, making it a preferred time for travelers from Europe, America, and temperate climates to visit.
If you choose to travel during these periods, you should be prepared for higher prices on accommodations and services, which may even become fully booked. Therefore, you should make reservations early to secure good rates!
In particular, in late April or early May, Ha Long City hosts the Ha Long Carnaval Festival. This is a unique and lively street carnival tailored for avid wanderers. If you are fortunate enough to visit Ti Top during this period, you can stop by the city center to dive into the vibrant carnival excitement!
4 Guide to Getting to Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island is one of the alluring stops on Route 2 of Ha Long Bay sightseeing tours. Therefore, travelers wishing to visit this island can refer to three common transportation options: renting a boat, taking a cruise tour, or booking a seaplane.
- Renting a boat: To reach Ti Top Island, visitors simply need to buy tickets and charter a bay tour boat. Private boat charter prices range from 500,000VNĐ - 700,000VNĐ/hour, whereas individual travelers can join shared boats for 150,000VNĐ - 250,000VNĐ/passenger.
Note that the Ha Long Bay Management Board does not sell standalone boat tickets to Ti Top Island; rather, you will be touring the entire sightseeing route
- Taking a cruise tour: Opting for this mode of travel allows you to spend an overnight stay on the bay aboard 3- to 5-star cruise vessels. Major cruise lines you may consider include Star Light, Emeraude, Paradise Luxury, Au Co, Bhaya Classic, Syrena, Calypso, Paloma, V’Spirit, Aclass…
Prices for this option are quite premium, ranging from several million to tens of millions of VND (depending on the cruise and length of stay)
- Chartering a seaplane: You will experience the thrill of flying at an altitude of 300m while taking in panoramic vistas of the stunning natural landscape of the local islands. Seaplane ticket prices range from 1 to 2 million VND per flight.
The seaplane is a top-notch transport option that garners the greatest interest
5 What Exciting Experiences Await Visitors on Ti Top Island?
When your boat docks at Ti Top Island, travel lovers will have approximately 60 minutes to roam and discover this destination. You will have two choices: climb up the mountain to take in sweeping vistas of Ha Long Bay or head down to the sea for a refreshing swim.
5.1 Enjoying a Refreshing Swim at Ti Top Beach
One of the must-try experiences when visiting Ti Top Island is going for a swim. This island boasts a splendid beach known as Ti Top Beach or Crescent Moon Beach (Bãi tắm Vầng Trăng). The origin of this poetic name lies in the fact that, viewed from high above, the beach arches like a crescent moon gently embracing the island.
Although the beach is not very large, it compensates with scenic, picture-perfect natural surroundings
As an added bonus, the sea water remains crystal clear all year round, and the pristine white sand is thoroughly washed clean each day by the rising and falling tides
Notably, it is not overly noisy but pleasantly tranquil, ideal for those wishing to get away from it all and unwind after days of bustling life
Blue waters, white sands, and golden sunshine are beckoning
Furthermore, thrill-seekers can participate in an array of exciting activities, including kayaking, parasailing, towed banana boats, and more.
Having a blast kayaking at Ti Top Island
5.2 Panoramic Views of Ha Long Bay from Ti Top Peak
If you are a trekking enthusiast, you should dedicate some time to conquer the 400 stone steps to the summit of Ti Top Island, as the breathtaking scenery here is sure not to disappoint.
You can admire the vast panorama, surrounded by undulating peaks of all shapes and sizes, alongside fishermen's boats gently drifting on the water
At this moment, you will truly appreciate why Ha Long Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the world's natural wonders
The sweeping view of the bay unfolds right before your eyes, leaving visitors completely captivated by its grandeur
6 Helpful Tips and Notes When Visiting Ti Top Island
To ensure that your journey to Ti Top Island is completely seamless, keep the following useful tips in mind:
- As there are limited shops and stalls on Ti Top Island, travelers should bring some light snacks to recharge their energy when needed.
- Do not forget to apply sunscreen if you do not want to return with deep sunburns, as the sun by the sea can be quite intense.
- The climb up to Ti Top Peak is fairly steep, requiring visitors to tackle around 400 stone steps. Follow the trail and hold onto the handrails while ascending and descending to ensure your safety!
- Photography lovers should remember to bring along essentials such as swimwear, power banks, cameras, sunglasses… to capture memorable moments on Ti Top Island.
- Visitors should maintain environmental awareness, uphold public cleanliness, and avoid littering.
With all these remarkable highlights, Ti Top Island is steadily becoming an essential stop on any Ha Long discovery journey. If you have the opportunity to come here, do not forget to pay a visit and appreciate all that nature has graciously bestowed upon this gorgeous island!
