Beaches
Bai Chay Beach
Bai Chay is a large, beautiful, artificial beach, closed to the coast of Hạ Long Bay. The 100-meter-wide-sandy beach spans over 500 m. Early in the morning or in late afternoon, thousands of people liven up the atmosphere here.
The asphalt road winds its way through the white sandy beach and luxuriant casuarinas. The Hoàng Gia Tourism Company has invested in diverse services for tourists. The Bai Chay tourist site is fast changing into one of the most captivating of this kind in Hạ Long City. It comprises restaurants, water puppet and traditional music theatres, Hoàng Gia Park, water-skiing, and sea motorcycling. The Hoàng Gia Park lines along the Hạ Long road leading from the Bai Chay Tourist Wharf to the gate of the Hạ Long Night Market.
There are many legends associated with the name Bai Chay. According to one legend, when the fleet carrying food for the Yuan-Mongolian invaders led by Truong Van Ho came there, the Vietnamese troops and locals under the leadership of Tran Khanh Du set fire to it. The whole fleet was engulfed in fire. Meanwhile, the northeast wind blew hard and further added fuel to it. Fire was so fierce it burned down the forest in the western side of Cua Luc. Hence the name Bai Chay.
Another legend has it that the western side of Cua Luc used to be a wharf for seagoing boats. Acorn-barnacles firmly attached to these boats’ sides and underneath, and might wreck the boats. The local population had to use casuarinas leaves to burn acorn-barnacles. From Hon Gai and other neighboring places, people always see a blaze from there, so they called it Bai Chay.
Ba Trai Dao Beach
To the Ba Trái Ðào Beach, it costs 10 hours by cruise from Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf. It has that name as Ba Trái Ðào Beach (the three peaches), features three small sand beaches embracing small islands.
These islands, seen from afar, resemble three peaches. Tourists take bath in this beach only 2-3 hours in a day as in other time the beach is lapped by tides.
Ti Top Beach
Some 14 km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach, which takes the shape of a crescent encompassing the island. Small though it might be, it wins kudos for its quiet and airy atmosphere, its clean and clear waters, as well as its alluring landscape.
In 1962, President Hô Chí Minh and the Russian astronaut Germane Ti Top came to this beach. Hence its name Ti Top. At present, there has a bar in the island, which also provides swimming costumes, floats, and lukewarm shower. Fresh water was carried to the island from inland. The Ti Top Beach has become a popular tourist destination.
Tuan Chau Beach
Some 8 km away from the Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf, Tuần Châu is a sandy artificial beach which stretches over 3 km.
Heading to the holiday resort in Tuần Châu Island Resort, besides swimming, tourists can enjoy such fascinating extras as sightseeing, entertainment, and sports activities, including climbing or camping in the eco-tourism zone.
Minh Chau Beach
Situated 15 km from Quan Lan Beach, the famous Minh Chau Beach is proud of its white sand which do not stick to one’s foot.
Visitors can go to the camping site there to stay overnight. Tourists can go there via Cam Pha, crossing Tai Xa Ferry (near Cua Ong Temple), to Cai Rong Town. After this 9-km road, tourists catch a boat at Cai Rong Port.
The trip to Quan Lan Island takes about 3 hours. On the way, one should visit some other islands for sightseeing. On reaching Minh Chau Beach in Quan Lan Island, tourists can enjoy swimming and taste delicious seafood.
Ngoc Vung Beach
Ngoc Vung is one of the offshore beach which is still kept pristine and unspoilt. Situated to the south of Ngoc Vung Island, some 34 km southeast of the tourist boat wharf, this beach boasts clear waters all year round.
Its 3-km sandy stretch sparkles in the sunlight. Apart from swimming and sightseeing, tourists can also enjoy fresh delicious seafood supplied by local fishermen.
