Tung Sau Pearl Farm 2026: Pearl Culturing in Halong Bay

By Jimmy Nguyen, Founder & Director of Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd.

Tung Sau Pearl Farm (Tùng Sâu) is a pearl farm in the sheltered Tung Sau cove of central Halong Bay, close to the Cua Van area. On a short guided visit you see how saltwater pearl oysters are raised and seeded, how pearls are harvested and graded, and browse a jewellery showroom. It is a stop on some Halong Bay cruises; access is covered by your route fee.

Status (checked October 2026): visits continue as part of selected cruise itineraries; not every cruise stops here, so confirm with your operator. Route fees on Halong Bay are 200,000–250,000 VND per adult depending on the route, and all boat trips stop when storms close the bay.

Why Tung Sau Pearl Farm is worth seeing:

Pearl culturing up close: watch technicians demonstrate the delicate seeding process.
A calm cove among the karsts: rafts of oyster baskets in sheltered water.
A change of pace: a short cultural stop between caves, beaches and kayaking.
Learn before you buy: staff explain how pearls are graded by lustre, shape, surface and size.

Tung Sau Pearl Farm at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Trại ngọc trai Tùng Sâu
Location	Tung Sau cove, central Halong Bay, near the Cua Van area, Quang Ninh province
Distance	Roughly 20 km from Tuan Chau port (about 2 hours by cruise boat)
Known for	Pearl oyster farming, seeding demonstrations, pearl showroom
Recognition	Inside the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site
Opening hours	Daytime visits arranged by cruise operators
Entrance fee	Covered by your Halong Bay route fee and cruise; no purchase required
Time needed	30–45 minutes
Best time	Any season in daylight; March–May and September–November for the best cruising weather
Nearby	Cua Van Fishing Village, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island
Find it	Google Maps · UNESCO

Is Tung Sau Pearl Farm Worth Visiting?

Yes, as a short stop if your cruise includes it, but it is not worth choosing a cruise for. The visit is interesting for families and anyone curious about how cultured pearls are made, and it breaks up a day of caves and beaches. Expect a sales element at the showroom; there is no obligation to buy.

Calm water and limestone karsts in Halong Bay — Sheltered, calm waters among the karsts make parts of Halong Bay ideal for pearl farming. Photo: shankar s., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Best for: families, curious travellers and anyone interested in pearls or jewellery.
Skip if: you dislike shopping stops; ask your operator for a cruise without it.
Short on time: prioritise Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island and Luon Cave on route VHL2.

Background: Pearls in Halong Bay

The calm, clean water of Halong Bay’s sheltered coves, protected from waves by the surrounding islands, suits the farming of oysters and other shellfish. Tung Sau cove lies in the same central area as the old Cua Van fishing village; the Cua Van Floating Cultural Centre originally stood in Tung Sau cove before it was moved about 800 m to the village centre. Pearl farms here show visitors the traditional saltwater culturing method that is used in many countries.

How Pearls Are Cultured: What You Will See

1. Raising the oysters

Young pearl oysters are raised in baskets or nets hung from floating rafts in the cove, where they feed on plankton in the water.

2. Seeding (grafting)

A technician opens each oyster slightly and inserts a small round nucleus together with a piece of mantle tissue from another oyster. This is the most delicate step and is usually demonstrated for visitors.

3. Growing

The oysters go back into the water, where they coat the nucleus with layers of nacre. Saltwater pearls typically take from several months to about two years to form, and many oysters produce no usable pearl.

4. Harvesting and grading

Pearls are harvested, cleaned and graded by lustre, surface, shape, size and colour, the factors that decide their value.

5. The showroom

The tour ends at a showroom of necklaces, earrings and loose pearls.

Visiting Tung Sau Pearl Farm: Practical Information

Item	Details
How to visit	As part of a Halong Bay day or overnight cruise that includes it
Route fee	200,000–250,000 VND per adult depending on the route, plus port fee; usually included in cruise prices
Farm tour	Arranged by your cruise; no obligation to buy
Children	Free route fee under 1.2 m
Hours	Daytime, following cruise schedules

Halong Bay route fees are set by Quang Ninh Province and published by the Ha Long Bay Management Board.

How to Visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm, Step by Step

Check whether your cruise includes the pearl farm; see our Halong Bay cruise guide.
Transfer from your cruise boat to the floating farm by tender.
Follow the guide through oyster raising, seeding and harvesting.
Browse the showroom if you wish, then return to your boat.

How to Get to Tung Sau Pearl Farm

From	How	Time
Tuan Chau port	Cruise boat whose itinerary includes the farm	About 2 hours
Ha Long International Passenger Port	Cruise boat	About 2 hours
Hanoi	Shuttle or car to Ha Long (2–2.5 hours), then cruise	About 4.5 hours

See our Hanoi to Halong Bay guide for transfers.

Best Time to Visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm

When	What to expect
Morning or afternoon	Demonstrations run during the day
March – May, September – November	Best cruising weather
June – October	Storm season; cruises may be cancelled
December – February	Cool; the visit is indoors and on covered rafts

Local Expert Tips for Tung Sau Pearl Farm

These tips come from years of arranging Halong Bay tours for international travellers.

Ask staff to explain the grading criteria before you look at prices.
If you buy, ask for a certificate and a receipt.
Compare prices calmly; there is no pressure to buy.
If you prefer no shopping stops, tell us when you book and we can choose a cruise without one.
Read our Halong Bay travel tips for more advice.

Tung Sau Pearl Farm vs Cua Van Floating Cultural Centre

Feature	Tung Sau Pearl Farm	Cua Van Cultural Centre
Focus	Pearl culturing and jewellery	Fishing community heritage
How to visit	On selected cruises	Route VHL3
Time	30–45 minutes	1–1.5 hours with a bamboo boat
Shopping	Showroom	Little or none

Our view: for culture, Cua Van offers more depth; the pearl farm is a pleasant extra if it is already on your itinerary.

Nearby Attractions

Cua Van Fishing Village: the former floating village nearby.
Sung Sot Cave: Halong Bay’s largest cave.
Luon Cave: kayak into a hidden lagoon.
Ti Top Island: the classic viewpoint and beach.
Soi Sim Island: a quieter beach.

Sightseeing in Halong Bay for First-Time Visitors: Where Tung Sau Pearl Farm Fits

On an overnight cruise? The pearl farm is usually a short morning or afternoon stop between caves and kayaking. Read our Halong Bay overview, try local specialities from our Halong food guide and spend an evening in Ha Long City if you arrive the night before.

Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tung Sau Pearl Farm

1. Where is Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Tung Sau Pearl Farm is in Tung Sau cove in central Halong Bay, near the Cua Van area.

2. What can you see at Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

At Tung Sau Pearl Farm you see oyster raising, a pearl seeding demonstration, harvesting and a jewellery showroom.

3. Do all Halong Bay cruises visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

No, only some cruises include Tung Sau Pearl Farm; check with your operator.

4. Is there an entrance fee for Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Access to Tung Sau Pearl Farm is covered by your Halong Bay route fee and cruise; buying pearls is optional.

5. How long does a Tung Sau Pearl Farm visit take?

A visit to Tung Sau Pearl Farm takes about 30–45 minutes.

6. Can I buy pearls at Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Yes, Tung Sau Pearl Farm has a showroom; ask for grading information, a certificate and a receipt.

7. Is Tung Sau Pearl Farm worth visiting?

Tung Sau Pearl Farm is worth it as a short stop if your cruise includes it, especially for families.

8. How long does it take to grow a pearl at Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Saltwater pearls like those at Tung Sau Pearl Farm typically take from several months to about two years to form.

9. Is Tung Sau Pearl Farm a tourist trap?

Tung Sau Pearl Farm includes a sales showroom, but the demonstration is genuinely informative and there is no obligation to buy.

10. Is Tung Sau Pearl Farm suitable for children?

Yes, children usually enjoy seeing the oysters opened at Tung Sau Pearl Farm.

11. Is Tung Sau Pearl Farm near Cua Van?

Yes, Tung Sau cove is in the same central area as Cua Van Fishing Village.

12. How are pearls graded at Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Pearls at Tung Sau Pearl Farm are graded by lustre, surface, shape, size and colour.

13. Can I skip Tung Sau Pearl Farm on my cruise?

Yes, you can stay on board or choose a cruise without Tung Sau Pearl Farm; ask us when booking.

14. Can I visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm independently?

Tung Sau Pearl Farm is in the middle of the bay, so it is visited by licensed cruise boats rather than independently.

15. When is the best time to visit Tung Sau Pearl Farm?

Tung Sau Pearl Farm can be visited all year in daylight; spring and autumn have the best cruising weather.