Travelers usually book one or two-day cruise tours from Hanoi and back. Some other travelers with more time to themselves stay in Halong for a few days and do a one-day cruise tour. However, the cruise tour is a must to experience the spectacular bay. These tours are all different from each other, involving visits to different islets and beaches.
There are seven most popular beaches of Halong Bay, which we will discuss in detail below, so when you plan your trip, it's easier to decide which ones top your list:
1. Ti Top Beach
Located in the heart of Halong Bay on the Ti Top island, this is a crescent-shaped beach encompassing the island. The white sands and turquoise blue waters of this beach in Halong Bay make it a perfect romantic landscape. It is extremely popular among tourists, especially in summer, when they indulge in beach activities like swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. The peaceful and quiet atmosphere is what usually attracts visitors here. However, over the years, so many crowds have started coming that the environment has started to get affected.
2. Tuan Chau Beach
Covering an area of 2.2 kilometers, Tuan Chau is an artificial pristine white sand beach in Halong Bay, located on Tuan Chau island. The backdrop of the beach consists of pine tree forests, giving a very picturesque location for photographers. One accommodation option here is the Tuan Chau Island Resort, where many tourists decide to stay a night or two. It does dig a hole in the pocket with the expensive rooms. However, it's an ideal spot for all luxury travelers looking to relax and unwind in the middle of Halong Bay. Travelers can enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, wave surfing, climbing, and camping in the eco-tourism zone.
3. Bai Chay Beach
Bai Chay Beach is an artificial beach in Halong Bay, as beautiful as a natural one, close to the coast of Halong Bay City. According to a legend, the name Bai Chay comes from when a fleet led by Truong Van Ho came there, and Vietnamese troops under the leadership of Tran Khanh Du set fierce fire to it, which burned down the forests of western Cua Luc. Being the closest and most accessible to Halong City, Bai Chay Beach is becoming a popular tourist site among the other beaches. Many restaurants, bars, traditional theatres, and the popular Hoang Gia Park for entertainment exist. Tourists can enjoy many water sports here, like water skiing, sea motorcycling, snorkeling, and scuba diving. 4. Quan Lan Beach
Quan Lan Beach is located on the Quan Lan island in the Bai Tu Long Bay. The island stretches from the Van Don Range to the Got Mountain with the backdrop of green wild pines. Quan Lan Beach is one of the few beaches in Halong Bay still unspoiled by tourism; hence, the sand and water are pristine, making it gorgeous for the few tourists who come to unwind here. The island is situated on an important navigation route and used to be the ancient commercial port of Van Don district. The deep blue sea consists of precious creatures like octopus, shrimp, mackerel, and butterfish.
5. Ngoc Vung Beach
Popularly known as the 'Gem Island,' the Ngoc Vung island is again in the Van Don district. To the south of this island is the three-kilometer-long white sand stretch of Ngoc Vung Beach sparkling in the sunlight. The island is divided by a huge Benjamin fig tree in the centre, where Ho Chi Minh came and addressed people in 1962. This beach of Halong Bay is yet to be spoiled and polluted by tourism and remains pristine. Ngoc Vung is mainly popular for the fresh seafood produce caught by the local fishermen living here, who sell them for cheap prices.
6. Ba Trai Dao Beach
Consisting of three small mountains, Ba Trai Dao beach looks like a group of three peaches. It's one of Halong Bay's prettiest beaches with a stunning natural setting. The island's name comes from an old legend about a fairy who stole three peaches from heaven for a fisherman she fell in love with. The heaven kings turned these peaches into three big stones to punish the fairy, hence the name. The white sand, crystal clear blue, and shallow sea water are ideal for travelers who want to snorkel, scuba, kayak, or sunbathe and laze around.
7. Minh Chau Beach
Last but not least, Minh Chau Beach is another popular beach in Halong Bay to soak up the island vibe before you head back to the city of Hanoi. It's most famously known as the 'no footprints' beach because the white sand here does not stick to one's feet. Today, tourism has caused the building of several resorts and hotels on this beach. There is also a small camping site on the beach where visitors can camp overnight.
You can choose to go on a cruise tour to either of these beaches and not be disappointed. Halong Bay beaches are known for their emerald blue waters for the best water sports, gorgeous limestone karsts, thick jungles and mountains for hiking and rock climbing, pristine white sand for sunbathing and relaxing, and some of the best local seafood in Vietnam. All in all, the magnificent landscape of the bay makes it one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam.