Bai Tu Long Bay 2026: Cruises, Highlights & Guide

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

Bai Tu Long Bay (Vịnh Bái Tử Long) is the quieter sister of Halong Bay, a sea of limestone islands stretching north-east from Ha Long city to Van Don in Quang Ninh province. It is known for uncrowded cruise routes, Vung Vieng floating village, Thien Canh Son Cave, Cong Dam lagoon and Bai Tu Long National Park. Most visitors see it on a day or overnight cruise from Ha Long.

Status (checked October 2026): open and cruising as normal. Sailings are suspended by the port authority when storms or strong winds are forecast (mainly July–October), and in March 2026 Condé Nast Traveler named Bai Tu Long Bay among South-East Asia’s natural wonders, so the better cruises book up early.

Why Bai Tu Long Bay is worth seeing:

Halong scenery without the traffic: the same karst towers and caves with far fewer boats than central Halong Bay.
Authentic fishing life at Vung Vieng Fishing Village, visited by bamboo rowing boat.
Kayaking through the sheltered Cong Dam lagoon.
Caves and beaches such as Thien Canh Son Cave.
Bai Tu Long National Park, protecting islands, forests and coral reefs since 2001.
Gateway to island escapes such as Quan Lan and Co To.

Bai Tu Long Bay at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Vịnh Bái Tử Long
Location	Gulf of Tonkin, Quang Ninh province; north-east of Halong Bay, off Ha Long, Cam Pha and the Van Don Special Zone
Distance	Cruise ports in Ha Long are about 2.5–3 hours from Hanoi by expressway
Known for	Limestone islands, quiet cruise routes, floating fishing villages, caves, kayaking
Recognition	Includes Bai Tu Long National Park (157.83 km², established 2001); mostly outside the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago
Open	Year-round, weather permitting; cruises depart daily
Fees	Official route VHL4 (Vung Vieng – Cong Do area): 200,000 VND per day visit; 500,000 VND for 1 night, 650,000 VND for 2 nights; normally included in cruise prices
Time needed	Full-day cruise minimum; 2 days 1 night recommended
Best time	March–May and September–November
Nearby	Halong Bay, Halong City, Quan Lan Island, Co To Island
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Bai Tu Long Bay Worth Visiting?

Yes. For many travellers it is the best way to experience the Halong seascape: the scenery is just as dramatic, the cruise routes are less crowded, and floating villages still feel lived-in. The trade-off is slightly longer sailing times to the best areas and fewer cave stops than the classic Halong routes.

Limestone karst islands in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh — Bai Tu Long Bay, north-east of Halong Bay, is quieter but just as dramatic. Photo: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Best for: couples, photographers, kayakers and anyone who wants a calmer overnight cruise.
Skip if: your priority is the famous big caves such as Sung Sot and Thien Cung, which are on the central Halong routes.
Short on time: a full-day Bai Tu Long cruise from Ha Long works, but you will spend a good part of it sailing; see our Halong Bay cruise guide to compare.

Legend and Background of Bai Tu Long Bay

Bái Tử Long is usually translated as “the dragon’s children bowing”. Local legend tells that a mother dragon descended from heaven to defend Vietnam from invaders at Ha Long (“descending dragon”), while her children landed at Bai Tu Long, turning to stone as islands that bow towards their mother.

Geologically, Bai Tu Long is part of the same limestone karst system as Halong Bay, shaped over millions of years by sea and rain. Much of the eastern bay is protected by Bai Tu Long National Park, created on 1 June 2001 and covering 157.83 km², of which about 61 km² is islands and the rest marine waters. The bay also borders the historic Van Don trading port, founded in 1149.

Most of Bai Tu Long Bay lies outside the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, which is one reason it has stayed quieter. Its western fringe, including Vung Vieng, Cap La, Thien Canh Son (Hang Co) and the Cong Do area, is managed by the Ha Long Bay Management Board as official sightseeing route VHL4.

What to See in Bai Tu Long Bay

1. Vung Vieng Fishing Village

One of the best-preserved floating villages in the Halong area, set in a ring of limestone islands. Visitors tour it by bamboo rowing boat with local rowers and see fish farms and floating homes.

2. Thien Canh Son Cave

A cave reached by steps from a small beach, with stalactites and views across the bay. It is a typical stop on Bai Tu Long cruise itineraries.

3. Cong Dam Lagoon

A sheltered area of lagoons and narrow channels between cliffs, ideal for kayaking in calm water.

4. Cap La Island

A peaceful island area with a fishing community and quiet beaches, popular for swimming and kayaking on overnight cruises. Read more in our Cap La Island guide.

5. Bai Tu Long National Park

Based on Ba Mun and nearby islands in Van Don, the park protects tropical forest, mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs. Some longer itineraries include short walks.

6. Quan Lan and Co To Islands

Further out, Quan Lan Island and Co To Island offer long sandy beaches and simple island stays for travellers with extra days.

Fees and Cruise Options

Option	Duration	What is included
Day cruise	About 6–8 hours on the water	Lunch, kayaking or bamboo boat, one cave or village stop; sightseeing fees usually included
Overnight cruise (2 days 1 night)	About 22–24 hours	Cabin, meals, Vung Vieng or Cong Dam, cave visit, sunset and morning tai chi
3 days 2 nights	About 46–48 hours	Deeper routes, more kayaking, national park or island stops
Independent island trips	Flexible	Public boats from Cai Rong (Van Don) to Quan Lan and Co To

Sightseeing fees are set by Quang Ninh province and published by the Ha Long Bay Management Board: route VHL4, which covers the Vung Vieng and Cong Do side of Bai Tu Long, costs 200,000 VND (about US$8) per day visit, or 500,000 VND for one night and 650,000 VND for two nights. Reputable cruises include these in the ticket; check the official fee list.

How to Visit Bai Tu Long Bay Step by Step

Choose a cruise that genuinely sails the Bai Tu Long route (ask for the itinerary map).
Book a shuttle or private car from Hanoi to the departure port in Ha Long.
Bring your passport: cruise operators must register all passengers.
Pack swimwear, sun protection and a light jacket for evenings outside summer.
Enjoy the activities: bamboo boat in Vung Vieng, kayaking at Cong Dam, a cave visit, sunset on deck.

How to Get to Bai Tu Long Bay

From	How	Time
Hanoi	Cruise shuttle, limousine bus or private car to the Ha Long cruise ports	About 2.5–3 hours
Noi Bai Airport	Private car via the expressway	About 2.5–3 hours
Van Don Airport	Taxi to Cai Rong or to Ha Long ports	About 20 minutes to 1 hour
Halong City	Taxi to Tuan Chau or Hon Gai area piers	15–30 minutes

All road options are compared in our Hanoi to Halong Bay guide.

Best Time to Visit Bai Tu Long Bay

When	What to expect
March–May	Mild, mostly dry, good visibility; one of the best periods
June–August	Hot and sunny with good swimming; storms may cancel sailings
September–November	Pleasant temperatures and clear days after typhoon season eases
December–February	Cool, sometimes misty and drizzly; atmospheric but not for swimming
Time of day	Sunset and early morning give the best light among the islands

Local Expert Tips for Bai Tu Long Bay

These tips come from years of arranging Halong and Bai Tu Long tours for international travellers.

Check the actual route: some boats sold as “Bai Tu Long” spend most of the time in central Halong.
An overnight cruise is worth it; day trips lose much of their time sailing to and from port.
Choose the bamboo boat at Vung Vieng and tip your rower; it supports the village.
Bring motion-sickness tablets in winter, when the north-east monsoon makes the open water choppy.
Combine with a night in Halong City or the beaches of Quan Lan for a slower trip, and read our Halong travel tips.

Bai Tu Long Bay vs Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay

	Bai Tu Long Bay	Halong Bay	Lan Ha Bay
Crowds	Low to moderate	High	Moderate
UNESCO	Mostly no (national park)	Yes	Yes (since 2023, Cat Ba Archipelago)
Highlights	Vung Vieng, Cong Dam, Thien Canh Son	Sung Sot, Ti Top, Thien Cung	Beaches, kayaking, Cat Ba
Departure	Ha Long ports	Ha Long ports	Hai Phong / Cat Ba or Ha Long

Our view: first-timers who want the big caves should pick Halong Bay; those who want quiet should pick Bai Tu Long; beach and kayak lovers often prefer Lan Ha Bay.

Nearby Attractions

Halong Bay – the UNESCO-listed core of the karst seascape.
Vung Vieng Fishing Village – floating homes and fish farms.
Cong Dam Area – kayaking lagoons.
Thien Canh Son Cave – a cave above a beach.
Cap La Island – quiet island and fishing area.
Quan Lan Island and Co To Island – beach islands for longer stays.

Halong Area for First-Time Visitors: Where Bai Tu Long Bay Fits

On a classic northern Vietnam trip, an overnight cruise follows two or three days in Hanoi. Choose Bai Tu Long if you want the karst scenery without the boat traffic, then continue to Ninh Binh or Sapa. Food lovers can stay an extra night ashore and explore our Halong food guide.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Bai Tu Long Bay

1. Where is Bai Tu Long Bay?

Bai Tu Long Bay lies in Quang Ninh province, north-east of Halong Bay, off Ha Long, Cam Pha and Van Don.

2. What does Bai Tu Long Bay mean?

Bai Tu Long means roughly “the dragon’s children bowing”, from the legend in which the mother dragon landed at Ha Long and her children at Bai Tu Long.

3. Is Bai Tu Long Bay part of Halong Bay?

Bai Tu Long Bay is the north-eastern continuation of the same karst seascape; its western fringe around Vung Vieng is managed as Ha Long Bay route VHL4, while most of the bay lies outside the UNESCO area.

4. Is Bai Tu Long Bay a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Most of Bai Tu Long Bay is outside the UNESCO Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago site, but part of it is protected as Bai Tu Long National Park.

5. Is Bai Tu Long Bay better than Halong Bay?

Bai Tu Long Bay is quieter with fewer boats, while Halong Bay has the most famous caves; the best choice depends on your priorities.

6. How do I get to Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi?

Take a cruise shuttle, limousine bus or private car from Hanoi to the cruise ports in Ha Long (about 2.5–3 hours), then board your Bai Tu Long Bay cruise.

7. How long should I spend in Bai Tu Long Bay?

A 2-day, 1-night cruise is ideal for Bai Tu Long Bay; a day cruise is possible but involves more sailing time.

8. Can I do a day trip to Bai Tu Long Bay?

Yes. Several boats run full-day Bai Tu Long Bay cruises from Ha Long, usually with lunch, kayaking or a village visit.

9. What is the best time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay?

March–May and September–November offer the most comfortable weather in Bai Tu Long Bay.

10. Are there entrance fees for Bai Tu Long Bay?

Yes. On official route VHL4 the Bai Tu Long Bay fee is 200,000 VND per day visit or 500,000 VND for one night, normally included in cruise prices.

11. Can you swim in Bai Tu Long Bay?

Yes, swimming in Bai Tu Long Bay is possible at designated beaches and cruise stops, mainly from May to October.

12. Is kayaking allowed in Bai Tu Long Bay?

Yes. Kayaking in Bai Tu Long Bay is offered at sites such as Cong Dam and Vung Vieng, depending on the cruise route.

13. What is Vung Vieng in Bai Tu Long Bay?

Vung Vieng is a floating fishing village in Bai Tu Long Bay, visited by bamboo rowing boat. Read our Vung Vieng guide.

14. Is Bai Tu Long Bay safe in typhoon season?

Bai Tu Long Bay cruises are cancelled by the authorities when storms are forecast, so sailings that do go ahead are considered safe.

15. What is Bai Tu Long National Park?

Bai Tu Long National Park, created in 2001 in Van Don, protects 157.83 km² of islands and sea within Bai Tu Long Bay.

16. Is Bai Tu Long Bay crowded?

Bai Tu Long Bay is much less crowded than central Halong Bay, especially on overnight routes.

17. Can I visit islands like Quan Lan from Bai Tu Long Bay?

Yes. Public boats from Cai Rong in Van Don connect Bai Tu Long Bay’s islands such as Quan Lan and Co To.

18. Which cruise port serves Bai Tu Long Bay?

Most Bai Tu Long Bay cruises depart from the cruise ports of Ha Long city; check your ticket for the exact pier.