Bai Tu Long Bay - is it worth a cruise?

Bai Tu Long Bay

The entire panorama before your eyes, huge and breathtaking. While you feel like you are overrun with tourism in Halong Bay, you will feel the opposite in Bai Tu Long.

One of the more remote destinations in North Vietnam, Bai Tu Long Bay is located in the east of Halong Bay near the Chinese border. A place that has become increasingly popular with travelers who want to experience quiet and authentic Vietnam.

The remote Bai Tu Long Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam, along with Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

It offers a similar no less breathtaking landscape than Halong Bay, but has fewer tourist attractions.

A visit to Bai Tho Mountain was also very popular in the past. From here you could enjoy the panoramic view of the bay of Bai Tu Long from above.

Bai Tho Mountain Viewpoint

Due to the ever increasing crowds and to protect the environment, tourism operations on Bai Tho Berg have been prohibited since 2017.

And now you may be wondering what else there is to see in Bai Tu Long Bay and what makes this place so unique?

Let us find out.

According to legend, Emperor Jade sent a dragon mother and her children to help the Vietnamese millions of years ago when Vietnam was attacked by invaders.

After the invaders were defeated, the dragons fell in love with the peaceful seascape and decided to settle in the bay.

The place where the dragon mother descended is now Halong Bay, while the young dragons descended in Bai Tu Long Bay.

What distinguishes Bai Tu Long is the beauty of karst and limestone mountains that rise in a unique way out of the water or mystical caves.

While you feel like you are overrun with tourism in Halong Bay, you will feel the opposite in Bai Tu Long.

One is still a number of attractions that have retained their original charm.

Vung Vieng fishing village

Places that are open to the public such as the Thay Cave, the fishing village of Vung Vieng, the Thien Canh Son Cave, the Ang Du area and the Ban Chan beach, a bay that is recommended as a little-visited site off the beaten path. Here you can experience untouched landscapes with emerald green water and a white sandy beach.

How to get to Bai Tu Long Bay

Since the bay is very far from Halong town and Cat Ba Island, you can see the bay on a multi-day cruise or simply with a private tour. .

The weather in Bai Tu Long Bay

Tropical monsoon and coastal climate, the weather varies in 4 different seasons in the bay.

Spring lasts only two months in March and April, and is also the most beautiful season with cool to warm weather. Summer lasts from May to August with wonderful blue skies and emerald-green water, ideal for circumnavigating the islands.

In autumn September & October you can enjoy the quiet atmosphere. In the remaining 4 months it is winter and it is particularly suitable for travelers who want to take it easy and slow and enjoy the magical and mystical beauty.

May to June and August to September are rainy seasons.

There are various eventful Cruises to the bay with interesting activities such as swimming, kayaking, caving, rowing by boat, or visiting floating villages.