7 beaches in Halong Bay, where you can enjoy the beauty of the coast

Halong Bay is a vast and magnificent collection of limestone karsts and natural sculptures, providing one of the most beautiful scenery for travelers heading to Vietnam.

This beautiful wonder consists of more than 1,600 islets, some are simply worn limestone karsts with dense jungle thickets, some are hollow with picturesque caves, and some are stunning white sand beaches where tourists enjoy relaxing. The beaches of Halong Bay are some of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Vietnam.

Travelers usually book one-day cruise tours from and to Hanoi. Some other travelers who have more time stay in Halong for a couple of days and take a one-day cruise tour.

Nevertheless, a cruise tour is a must-see if you want to really experience the spectacular bay. These tours are different and include visits to different islands and beaches.

There are seven of the most popular beaches in Halong Bay, which we'll talk about in detail below to make it easier for you to choose where to go.

1. Ti Top Beach

This crescent-shaped beach surrounding the island is located in the heart of Halong Bay on Ti Top Island. The white sands and turquoise waters of this beach in Halong Bay make it an ideal romantic spot.

It is very popular with tourists, especially in the summer, when you can participate in beach activities such as swimming, kayaking and snorkeling. The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere is what usually attracts visitors here. However, so many people have visited the beach over the years that the environment has begun to suffer.

2. Tuan Chau Beach

Tuan Chau Beach, an area of 2.2 km, is an artificial white sand beach in Halong, located on the island of Tuan Chau. Next to the beach is a pine forest, which gives very picturesque scenery for photographers. There is one accommodation option here, Tuan Chau Island Resort, where many tourists decide to stay a night or two.

Expensive rooms will cost a pretty penny, but this is the ideal place for all luxury travelers who want to relax and unwind in the heart of Halong Bay. Travelers can engage in activities such as swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, rock climbing and camping in the ecotourism area.

3. Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chai Beach, an artificial beach in Halong Bay as beautiful as any natural beach, is located near the coast of Halong Bay. According to legend, the name Bai Chai comes from the fact that a fleet led by Truong Van Ho arrived there and Vietnamese troops led by Tran Can Do set it on fire, which also caused the forests in the western part of Cua Luong to burn.

As the closest and most accessible beach, Bai Chai has become a very popular tourist attraction among other beaches. There are many restaurants, bars, traditional theaters and the popular Hoang Gia Park for entertainment. Tourists can enjoy many water sports such as water skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving and others.

There are many large hotels and villas nestled among the pine trees where travelers can relax for one or two nights. All other beaches such as Ngoc Vung, Quan Lan, Tuan Chau and the main bay of Halong are extremely convenient to reach from Bai Chai Beach. However, with the increasing number of tourists, you can visit lesser known beaches if you want a quieter holiday.

4. Quan Lan Beach

Quan Lan Beach is located on Quan Lan Island in Bai Tu Long Bay. The island stretches from the Van Don Ridge to Mount Got with a backdrop of green wild pine trees. Quan Lan Beach is one of the few beaches in Halong Bay still unspoiled by tourism, so the sand and water are pristine, making it great for the small number of tourists who come here to relax.

The island is located on an important navigational route and used to be an ancient trading port of the Van Don area. The deep blue sea holds many precious creatures such as octopus, shrimp, mackerel, and other species of wildlife.

This little-known beach with a clean environment stretches for several kilometers, making it an ideal destination for travelers looking for a quiet beach rather than the crowded Bai Chai. There are also several guest houses built recently for tourists who want to stay overnight.

5. Ngoc Vung Beach

Ngoc Vung Island, also known as "Gem Island," is also located in Van Dong District. To the south of this island stretches for three kilometers the white sandy beach of Ngoc Vung, sparkling in the sun. The island is divided by a huge Benjamin ficus tree in the center, where Ho Chi Minh came and addressed the people in 1962.

This beach of Halong Bay is not yet spoiled or polluted by tourism and therefore remains untouched. There are no major resorts or hotels here, but many tourists often come here to enjoy the quiet surroundings, hike or barbecue and spend the night.

Ngoc Vung is mostly popular because of the fresh seafood caught by local fishermen who sell it at low prices. Oysters and lobsters are some of the favorite dishes. This sickle-shaped moonlit beach, surrounded by a forest of casuarinas and with virtually no crowds of tourists, is an ideal attraction for couples looking for a romantic time.

Read also: 10 Vietnamese Places Showcasing the Beautiful Diversity of the Region

6. Ba Trai Dao Beach

Ba Trai Dao Beach, consisting of three small mountains, looks like a bunch of three peaches. It is one of the most beautiful beaches of Halong Bay with stunning nature. The name of the island comes from an old legend about a fairy who stole three peaches from heaven for a fisherman she fell in love with.

The heavenly kings turned these peaches into three big rocks to punish the fairies, hence the name. The white sand and crystal clear blue and shallow sea are perfect for travelers who want to snorkel, snorkel, kayak or just sunbathe and laze around.

There are also some great climbing options for those interested in this activity. Because of the tide, the sea is only open for swimming for two or three hours a day. There are no accommodation options on this beach, so it's just a stopover for cruises.

7. Minh Chau Beach

Last but not least, Minh Chau Beach is another popular beach in Halong Bay where you can get a feel for the island before heading back to Hanoi. It is best known as the "beach without footprints" because the white sand here does not stick to your feet.

Today, the growth of tourism has caused a couple of resorts and hotels to be built on this beach. There is also a small campsite on the beach where visitors can stay overnight. You can stroll through the dense casuarina forest to soak in the fresh and natural landscape or laze on the two-kilometer-long beach, admiring the majestic sea and listening to the waves crashing against the shore.

Most of the beach is in shallow water, making it suitable for children, and some of it is moderately wavy and can sometimes bring turtles ashore.

You can take a cruise tour to any of these beaches and not be disappointed. The beaches of Halong Bay are known for their emerald-blue waters for the best water sports, magnificent limestone karsts, dense jungle and mountains for hiking and climbing, pure white sand for sunbathing and relaxing, and some of the best local seafood in Vietnam.

Read also: 9 Vietnamese caves worth visiting

In general, the magnificent landscape of the bay makes it one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam.