Beaches in Halong, Bai Tu Long bay and Cat Ba island

There are many beaches within the Gulf of Tonkin including Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long bay and Cat Ba islands, here are some of the famous beaches

Cat Ba beach
Cat Ba is home to some nice patches of beach. The most accessible are near the town and known imaginatively as Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2 and Cat Co 3. They're pleasant spots to cool off on a hot day but not wonderful beaches - in part since they feel so tightly watched and managed - by everyone but lifeguards. Some of the best beaches on the island are accessible only by boat and are often visited on cruises from Cat Ba. Keep in mind too that you're not likely to be swimming from November to February on account of the cold misty weather.

Minh Chau Beach
Situated 15 km from Quan Lan Beach, the famous Minh Châu 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 Caam Pha, crossing Tài Xá Ferry (near Cua Ông Temple), to Cái Rong Town. After this 9-km road, tourists catch a boat at Cái 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 Châu 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.



Ba Trai Dao Beach
To the Ba Trai Dao Beach, it costs 10 hours by cruise from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. It has that name as Ba Trai Dao 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. Legend has it, that fairies escaped from Heaven and came here for sight-seeing and swimming. The youngest fairy, who was very pretty and virtuous, fell in love with a young fisherman. The young fairy stole three peaches from Heaven for him, that if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. Bút while she waited for him on the island, the King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into stone island. Chastised, the young fairy had to return.

Ti Top Beach
Some 14 km east of Bai Cháy 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 Ho Chi 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 Bai Cháy Tourist Wharf, Tuan Chau is a sandy artificial beach which stretches over 3 km. Heading to the holiday resort in Tuan Chau 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.