Bai Tu Long Bay
A limestone bay northeast of Hạ Long Bay in Quảng Ninh province, with hundreds of islands that karst erosion has shaped into scenes like ink-wash paintings.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Bai Tu Long Bay is a bay in northeastern Vietnam, northeast of Hạ Long Bay. It lies in the Gulf of Tonkin, in Quảng Ninh province, and covers part of the Vân Đồn special zone. The bay encompasses Bái Tử Long National Park. Its hundreds of islands are mostly limestone and slate, formed around 300 million years ago. Karst erosion has carved many of them into shapes that look like ink-wash paintings. Hang Quan, also called the Naval Cave, sits on the islands, and boats once sheltered there when seas turned rough.
Boat trips among the limestone islands are the main draw. Quan Lạn, Minh Châu, Ngọc Vừng and Đông Chén are inhabited islands where people farm, raise livestock and fish. Long Vĩ is a sandy beach stretching more than 10 kilometers, which local legend calls the tail of the dragon herd. The area has two clear seasons: a hot, humid summer and a dry, cold winter. Average annual temperature is about 15 to 25 °C.
Bai Tu Long Bay in five
- Choose it for fewer boatsVietnam's tourism board describes Bai Tu Long as a lesser-explored bay with slightly smaller karsts than Ha Long, and endless unspoiled views of sea and sky. Pick it if quiet matters more than the famous caves.
- Confirm the route before you bookSome cruises sold under one bay name visit parts of the others. Ask the operator for the route, the cave stops and where kayaking happens, and get it in writing.
- Book an overnight with kayakingA day trip spends much of its time on the road from Hanoi. One night on the water gives you a sunset, a quiet morning and kayak stops in lagoons.Cat Ba or Ha Long Bay
- Allow for storms from June to AugustThe tourism board says the monsoon makes visits unpredictable from June to August. Book a flexible rate and keep a spare day on either end of the cruise.
- Add the classic bay on the same tripMany itineraries pair a night here with Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba. Compare the three before you build a route.Ha Long Bay travel guide
Things to do in Bai Tu Long Bay
See all attractions in Bai Tu Long Bay
Need to know
- Airport
- Van Don (VDO) on the coast; Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi
- Getting there
- About 2 hours from Hanoi by road, then a cruise boat
- Getting around
- Cruise boats and kayaks; no roads between islands
- Best base
- On a boat; hotels in Ha Long or Van Don before boarding
- Time needed
- 2 days, 1 night
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, misty
- FebruaryCool, misty
- MarchMild
- AprilMild, clear
- MayWarm
- JuneHot, storms
- JulyStorm risk
- AugustStorm risk
- SeptemberStorm risk
- OctoberClear
- NovemberClear
- DecemberCool
Right now in Bai Tu Long Bay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 47%
Bai Tu Long Bay
03:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°26°47%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Wed28°27°85%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Thu28°26°94%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri28°25°82%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sat28°25°84%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sun28°24°83%Sunday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
Updated 03:03 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ha Long Baya separate cruise on the classic routeThe famous caves and the busiest waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.Read the guide
- Cat Ba Islandby road and boat from the Hai Phong sideTrails, beaches and a base for Lan Ha Bay.Read the guide
- Hanoiabout 2 hours by road to the coastThe Old Quarter before or after the bay.Read the guide
Before you go to Bai Tu Long Bay
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Bai Tu Long Bay, checked
- Many nationalities need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam. Check the entry rules on the official immigration portal before you book.Source
- Dial 113 for police, 114 for fire and 115 for an ambulance anywhere in Vietnam.
- Leave coral, shells and marine life where they are. The bay is part of a national park, and several species here, such as abalone, sea cucumbers and dugongs, need protection.
- Tipping is not required in Vietnam. A small amount for boat crews and guides is appreciated.
Plan around Bai Tu Long Bay
The classic overnight cruise route
Read the guideCat Ba IslandHiking and Lan Ha Bay from an island base
Read the guideCat Ba or Ha Long BayWhich bay and base fits your days
Read the guideHalong CityPiers, Bai Chay and a night before the boat
Read the guideNortheast VietnamCao Bang, Ban Gioc and the Quang Ninh coast
Read the guideHanoi travel guideWhere most cruises start
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamWeather by region and month
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideBai Tu Long Bay FAQ
Is Bai Tu Long Bay better than Ha Long Bay?
It is quieter, with fewer boats and slightly smaller karsts, so it suits travelers who prefer calm to famous caves. Ha Long has the classic route and more choice. Compare the routes before you decide.
How far is Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi?
About two hours by road to the coast, according to Vietnam's tourism board, then a cruise boat. A one-night cruise usually includes the transfer, so compare what the price covers.
Can you visit Bai Tu Long as a day trip?
Yes, but you spend much of the day traveling. One night on the water gives you more time among the islands and a better chance of calm anchorages.
What is the difference between Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bay?
Both are quieter than central Ha Long. Lan Ha is reached from Cat Ba Island, while Bai Tu Long lies northeast along the Quang Ninh coast. Choose by where you want to sleep and how far you want to travel.
Can you cruise Bai Tu Long Bay in winter?
Yes, but the tourism board describes mist from December to March, which softens the karsts and cuts distant views. September to November and April to May are clearer, and June to August monsoons make trips unpredictable.