Bai Tho Mountain

Location: Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain lies at the heart of Halong City, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: From a far, the 106-meter-limestone mountain looks like a huge castle with three imposing towers. Its past name Truyen Dang means Light Projecting. This mountain has inspired many poets.

In 1468, during his inspection tour to the eastern region, King Le Thanh Tong stopped here. Inspired by the stunning beauty of Halong, the King wrote a poem and had it carved into the southern side of the mountain, hence its name Bai Tho (Poem). In 1729, Lord Trinh Cuong composed a poem in response to that of King Le Thanh Tong and also had it carved near the former. The mountain features other poems by Nguyen Can and some other poets.

Atop Bai Tho Mountain, you feel surprised at the magnificent landscape of Halong Bay. In the background of immense emerald waters, of rock bobbing, of high sky, of surrounding flowers and trees, you can figure out the tiny images of boats. Bai Tho makes up one of the beauty spots of Halong.

Luon Grotto

Location: Luon Grotto is situated on Bo Hon Island, 14km south of Bai Chay Beach, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: In front of the grotto is Con Rua Islet and the Sky Gate is on the right. Here the cliffs stretch vertically out of the pure blue and smooth water.  

At the water-level, an arched entrance leads to the grotto, just at the base of the island. Passing through the pretty entrance, you come across a tranquil round lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and high dangerous stone walls. Monkeys run to and fro in groups, benjamin fig trees shade the landscape and many orchids hang their sweet-scented flowers. In the lake, many species abound: shrimp, fish, crab and cuttle-fish.

This is an enclosed group of islands. It connects with the sea via a 4-meter-wide, 100-meter-long, and 3-meter-high mouth. Inside the grotto, the 1-km2 brackish lake is surrounded by mountains. On the cliff one still find traces of fossils of fresh-water snails, which prove that men used to live there and this must have been a deep valley then.

The beauty of the site is the mingling of a number of factors: the mountain's size and form, the colour of the water and the clouds.

Ba Trai Dao Islet

Location: It is 22km from south of Bai Chay Tourist Wharf.

Characteristics: This island consists of three small mountains with the height of 23m, seen from afar, resemble three peaches (Ba Trai Dao).  

The island connects to a legend of about the romantic love between a youngest fairy, who was very pretty with a young and poor fisherman.

Because of feeling in love with him, she stole three peaches from Heaven for him, which if he ate, would give him eternal life, allowing them to live together forever. The King of the Heavens discovered the robbery and turned the peaches into three stone islands. Chastised, the young fairy had to return.

Today, Ba Trai Dao is a famous tourist attraction with three nice fairy beaches, romantic landscape.

It takes 10 hours by cruise from Bai Chay Tourist Wharf, tourists will come to Ba Trai Dao Beach. 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.

Con Coc Islet

Location: Con Coc or Toad Islet lies in Halong Bay, 17km away from the tourist boat wharf.

Characteristics: Con Coc or Toad Islet is one of the most exquisite works nature has presented Halong. Just imagine, an 8-meter-tall toad sitting to wait for rain amidst the vastness of the sea.

Am Islet

Location: On the route to Quan Lan – Ngoc Vung Islands; Am Rock or Kettle Islet is situated in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Characteristics: An island jutting out of the seawaters, the teapot of the Jade Emperor, who accidentally dropped it into Halong so its handle was broken.

Cong Do Island

Location: On the south-east side of Halong Bay, about 25km from Bai Chay Wharf, Cong Do is in Bai Tu Long Bay in the region which recognised as the World Heritage.

Characteristics: It has an area of 23,363m2 and its mountain reaches a peak of 172m.

The island features many lagoons, which are the residence of numerous species of sea-life, such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid and aquatic plants. On the south-west side of the island, there is a wide coral reef displaying a myriad of colours. Coral reef ecosystem is more than 700m long and 300m wide. It is preserved almost undamaged. In the future, there are plans for the development of a zone for scuba-diving. On the south-east side of the island, vestiges of the ancient commercial port of Van Don were discovered. This confirms beliefs that Cong Do Island once held an important position in terms of foreign trade.

Dau Nguoi Islet

Location: The Dau Nguoi Islet in Halong Bay lies near Luon Cave, 13km away from the tourist wharf.

Characteristics: From a far, you can see a 25-meter islet, which reminds us of a huge Egyptian head with a big nose. Its chin lies close to the sea surface. Many people associate it with the image of the Egyptian Sphinx. It’s a masterpiece of nature, has its own poetic beauty as it lies amidst seawaters.

Mat Quy Islet

Location: Boating past the Am Islet some 20 minutes, we see Mat Quy Islet or Monster Head Islet, which protrudes about 30-35m from the waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Characteristics: Nature has carved the rock in the shape of a monster head, with a rough big nose standing out from a distorted face. From whatever angle, one still find it horrible.

Ba Mun Island and Bai Tu Long National Park

Location: Ba Mun Island is a schist island belonging to Minh Chau Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.

Characteristics: It stretches out parallel to Quan Lan Island, separated by the Doi Gate that runs in a north-east direction. It has the other name, Cao Lo Island.

It is 15km from the shore, 1,800ha in area with more than 20km long and narrow wide. It consists of a narrow stretch of earth and stone that runs east to west. The highest peak is Quit Mountain with a height of 397m. The fauna and flora here are very plentiful. There are many rare species.

It is the only island in Halong Bay that is home to a primitive forest. There are countless species of plants and trees, some with giant trunks. This forest is also home to many rare animals such as chamois, deer and monkeys. It is said that many years ago tigers, panthers and elephants once resided on the island. In order to help preserve the forest, on January 24, 1997, the government recognised it as a Bai Tu Long National Park.

Soi Sim Islet

Location: Soi Sim is an soil island 400m away from Ti Top Island, and 7-8km from the Bai Chay Tourist Wharf.

Characteristics: In the island there are many ancient trees. The Hạ Long Bay Management Board is going to build a system of guesthouses equipped with modern facilities. At present, a small beach has been improved and upgraded, adding more charm to the attractive holiday resort.

Dinh Huong Islet

Location: In the itinerary of Thien Cung – Dau Go – Ti Top, one finds Dinh Huong Islet or Lu Huong (Incense Burner Islet) to the southwest of Dau Go Island.

Characteristics: Passing the Cho Da (Stone Dog) Islet and the Con Meo (Cat) Islet, one sees an imposing stone slab resting on two other small stones stands blocked the way.

The stone slab resembles a huge incense burner, which lies in the middle of the sea as a holy object to worship the Sky and Earth.

Cho Da Islet (Dog Stone Islet)

Location: In the itinerary of Thien Cung - Dau Go - Ti Top, after visiting Thien Cung and Dau Go, one needs 10 minutes boating to the Cho Da Islet or Stone Dog Islet.

Characteristics: Some 8m up the islet one can figure out a piece of stone in the shape of a dog sitting with its back to the sea, standing guard for the safety of seagoing boats for millions of years.

Ti Top Island and Beach

Location: Ti Top Island is situated about 7-8km south-east of Bai Chay.

Characteristics: It displays a beach shaped like a crescent moon and sand that has been washed to a snowy white by the tide.

November 22, 1962, this tiny island had the honour of receiving a visit from astronaut Ghermann Titov, a hero of the former Soviet Union, accompanied by President Ho Chi Minh. To perpetuate the remembrance of their visit, Uncle Ho named the place Ti Top Island. It has now become an attractive beach for tourists and has various of tourist services.

Thirty-five years afterwards, on June 27, 1997, Ti Top returned to the island having his name. Deeply moved, he wrote in the souvenir book of the Management Board of Halong Bay: "My deepest thanks to destiny, which has allowed me to come back to this tiny island.� It has become a beach attracting many visitors.

From about 14km east of Bai Chay is Ti Top Beach. It 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. 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. Ti Top Beach has become a popular tourist destination.

Review for Bhaya Classic Cruise by Mr Alex Chan

We did the 3d/2n Bhaya Cruise on the Bhaya Classic and were absolutely satisfied because of:

- the catering (mix of quality buffets and restaurant-standard set meals)

- excursions included

- tastefully decorated cabins

- nice ambience throughout the boat

- hospitable crew.

For those doing the 3d/2n cruise, expect a very personal excursion on their smaller boat the Bhaya Spirit. On our specific day, it was a 1:1 crew to passenger ratio.

We had a guide with us for most of the cruise ... something we didn't expect. It is essential for eg. Spanish speakers but a bit redundant for English speakers. But it was a nice extra that's not always included ... it seems that our agency (Far East Tours) and Bhaya's direct customers enjoy this extra. 

While we normally rough it and make our own arrangements (so as to have the real experience) it was nice to be pampered and insulated from the real world briefly.

 Sundeck, quite nice for Tai chi or even a wedding

 Our cabin is bright and cheerfully decorated

 The corridor with cabins on both sides

Dinner are restaurant quality