1 A brief overview of Ti Top Island
Location: in Ha Long Bay, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Ha Long City has long been a precious gem and a symbol of Vietnamese tourism. With thousands of islands of all sizes rising and falling amid emerald waters, beautiful beaches, and famous attractions such as Dragon Eye Island, Tuan Chau Island, Hon Gai, and Quan Lan Island, this region has become a destination for many domestic and international visitors. Among its highlights is Ti Top Island, a small yet quite impressive island!
See also: Tuan Chau Island - Discover the shining gem of Ha Long Bay
Ti Top Island covers an area of 3.7ha
If you’re new to the area, the name Ti Top Island may sound unfamiliar, but it is actually an island right in the heart of the natural wonder of Ha Long Bay. It lies 12km from Tuan Chau Port and about 7 to 8km southeast of Bai Chay Port. Cua Luc Bay is behind it, while Sung Sot Cave and Bo Hon Island are in front, and Hon Dam Nam is to the right. Ti Top Island will leave visitors enchanted by its unspoiled, romantic, and peaceful beauty, making it an ideal stop on a trip around Ha Long Bay.
From above, you can see that Ti Top Island has one steep shore, one gently sloping shore, and a beautiful crescent-shaped white-sand beach.
2 The history of Ti Top Island
In the past, Ti Top Island was widely known as Red Cross Island or Cemetery Island. The names date back to 1905, when a French cargo ship entering Ha Long Bay ran into a submerged rock and sank in Con Coc Cove because it had no pilot familiar with the waterways. All the crew members died and were buried on the island. After that, few local fishermen dared to fish there, fearing bad luck.
All this information is recorded on a rock just in front of Ti Top Island, where visitors can see it
Ti Top Island has also been renamed several times. In the late 19th century, it was called Cat Nang. Then, on 22/11/1962, President Ho Chi Minh and Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov visited the island. To commemorate the friendship between the Soviet Union and Vietnam, Uncle Ho named the island Ti Top.
Statue of the heroic Gherman Titov
3 When is the ideal time to visit Ti Top Island?
Thanks to its pleasant climate year-round, visitors can explore Ti Top Island at any time of the year. However, according to seasoned travelers who have visited many times, there are two peak seasons when the island gets particularly busy:
- From June to July: It is summer, with white sand and golden sunshine, making it ideal for a relaxing holiday and beach activities.
This is the summer holiday period, so most visitors to Ti Top Island are Vietnamese and other Asians
- From December to February: Winter temperatures on Ti Top Island can be quite low, so European, American, and other visitors from temperate countries often choose this time to visit.
If you choose to visit during this period, be prepared for high accommodation and service prices, and even fully booked options. So make your reservations early to get a good deal!
In particular, the Ha Long Carnaval Festival takes place in Ha Long City in late April or early May. This spectacular street festival is a must for travel enthusiasts. If you’re lucky enough to visit Ti Top at this time, you can swing by the city center and join in the Carnaval festivities!
4 How to get to Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island is one of the popular attractions on Route 2 of Ha Long Bay tours. Visitors can get to the island in three common ways: by hiring a boat, taking a cruise tour, or flying in a seaplane.
- Hire a boat: To get to Ti Top Island, visitors can simply buy a ticket and hire a boat to explore the bay. A private boat costs from 500.000VNĐ - 700.000VNĐ/ hour, while those traveling alone can share a boat for 150.000VNĐ - 250.000VNĐ/ person.
Note that the Ha Long Bay Management Board does not sell boat tickets to Ti Top Island separately; your ticket covers the entire tour
- Take a cruise tour: With this option, you can spend the night in the bay aboard a 3- to 5-star cruise ship. Some large cruise ships to consider include Star Light, Emeraude, Paradise Luxury, Au Co, Bhaya Classic, Syrena, Calypso, Paloma, V’Spirit, and Aclass…
This option is quite pricey and can take a serious bite out of your wallet, ranging from a few million to tens of millions of dong, depending on the cruise ship and length of stay
- Take a seaplane: You can enjoy the experience of flying at an altitude of 300m and taking in the stunning natural scenery of the islands. A seaplane ride costs 1 to 2 million/ trip.
The seaplane is a stylish way to travel and one of the most popular options
5 What makes Ti Top Island an exciting place to visit?
When your boat docks at Ti Top Island, you’ll have about 60 minutes to explore. There are two options: climb the mountain for panoramic views of Ha Long Bay or head down to the beach for a swim.
5.1 Enjoy a swim at Ti Top Island
Swimming is a must-do experience when visiting Ti Top Island. The island has a beautiful beach called Ti Top Beach or Crescent Moon Beach. From above, the beach curves like a crescent moon embracing the island, which is how it got its distinctive name.
Although the beach is not very large, its picturesque natural scenery more than makes up for it
Another bonus: the sea is clear and blue all year round, and the pristine white sand is kept clean by the daily tides
It is also peaceful rather than noisy, making it perfect for those looking to get away from it all and unwind after busy days
Blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine are calling
For thrill-seekers, there are also plenty of exciting activities, including kayaking, parasailing, and riding a towable tube.
Have a blast kayaking at Ti Top Island
5.2 Take in panoramic views of Ha Long Bay from Ti Top Peak
If you enjoy hiking, set aside some time to climb the 400 steps to the top of Ti Top Island. The scenery here is sure to impress.
Admire the vast landscape, surrounded by peaks in many different shapes, as fishing boats drift across the water
You’ll understand why UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay as one of the natural wonders of the world
The whole bay unfolds before your eyes, making the world feel as if it has suddenly shrunk to the size of a girl
6 Tips to keep in mind when visiting Ti Top Island
To make your trip to Ti Top Island as enjoyable as possible, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- There are few shops on Ti Top Island, so bring some food to recharge when needed.
- Don’t forget to apply sunscreen if you want to avoid getting a deep tan, as the beach here can be very sunny and hot.
- The path to the top of Ti Top is quite challenging, with as many as 400 steps to climb. Follow the path and hold on to the handrails while going up or down to stay safe!
- Social media enthusiasts should remember to bring essentials such as swimwear, a power bank, a camera, and sunglasses to capture their moments on Ti Top Island.
- Visitors should be considerate, keep the area clean, and avoid littering.
With all these advantages, Ti Top Island is becoming an essential stop on any trip to Ha Long. If you have the chance to visit, be sure to stop by and experience the natural beauty that makes this island so special!
