1. Fighting Cocks Islet
With its imagery resembling two chickens affectionately touching each other, Fighting Cocks Islet becomes an indispensable destination when visiting Ha Long Bay. Standing majestically in the vast waters of the bay for millions of years, these two towering rock formations have been a poetic inspiration for generations of artists.
2. Thien Cung Cave
The peculiar shapes embedded on the cave walls will undoubtedly pique your curiosity to explore this cave that has existed for hundreds of millions of years in Ha Long Bay. Located halfway up Canh Doc Island and 25 meters above sea level, the stalactites and stalagmites become even more sparkling as you walk through the cave, and the sounds become more vibrant as you step lightly to experience the depth of more than 30 kilometers here. With a name akin to paradise, the beautiful, mystical scenery of Thien Cung Cave is always lauded in the writings of visitors.
3. Tung Sau Pearl Farm
With shimmering pearls, Ha Long Bay shines even brighter amid the majestic limestone mountains and vast emerald waters. Visitors can witness the largest pearl farming pools as well as the process of producing the finest pearls and exquisite jewelry. This place is often referred to as “Pearl Paradise” by visitors.
4. Tuan Chau Island
Not only is it the foremost island among nearly 2,000 large and small islands in Ha Long Bay due to its harmonious natural and man-made scenery resembling a painting, but Tuan Chau Island is also the only inhabited island. It is not only a “mooring spot” for most of Ha Long Bay’s key sightseeing services but also a resort, sightseeing, and recreational destination for families during the upcoming tourist season.
5. Mat Rong Island (or Bai Dong Island)
Located on the southern edge of Ha Long Bay, adjacent to Bai Tu Long Bay, Bai Dong features a white sandy beach, a natural freshwater lake, and especially unique scenery. Aerial photos of the island impress international tourists with a lake that looks like the eye of a dragon. The dragon seems to be opening its eyes to protect the peaceful bay year-round, and it also seems to be challenging the heavens with its unique beauty on this earth.
6. Ti Top Island
On November 22, 1962, to commemorate the visit by Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov, President Ho Chi Minh named the island Ti Top. Titov Beach here gently curls like moonlight amidst beautiful natural landscapes. At Ha Long Bay and on Ti Top Island, visitors can experience relaxing times on calm beaches as well as explore the path leading to the mountain peak to fully view the scenery of white sand, blue sea, and boats navigating through the rugged mountains.
7. Soi Sim Island
Invested to become an eco-tourism site with a system of small wooden lodges, a botanical conservation garden, and an observation tower system, Soi Sim Island is always considered a “premium” tourism spot. As a beautiful island with a rich vegetation cover unlike other islands, its beach retains a pristine, untouched look. From a distance, the island appears gentle, fresh, and clean, like a princess who has long been sleeping in the forest, now gently stretching to gaze out to sea.
8. Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot Cave is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The path to Sung Sot Cave winds under forest foliage and rugged stone steps. Inside, the scenery holds many “astonishing” features such as stalactites, ancient banyan trees with dense foliage, and walls and pathways as if carved by the flow of time. Reaching the highest peak of the cave, you are suddenly greeted by a celestial garden opening before you, with a clear lake surrounded by birds singing and diverse flora thriving as if in a fairyland.
9. Luon Cave
Through Luon Cave, a calm, clear blue water area surrounded by steep rock walls opens up. From the beautiful arch-shaped entrance, stalactites hang across the mountain range, surrounded by dense vegetation, here you will feel how a rich plant habitat has been perfectly preserved over the years. Monkeys frolic and tease the rowing boats bringing tourists back and forth in this poetic and intriguing place.
10. Cua Van Floating Village
In 2012, Cua Van Floating Village was honorably listed among the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world by Journeyetc.com. The village preserves unique traditional cultural traits within an ancient setting of floating homes and bamboo moored in front of houses. Visiting the village, you will be guided by fishermen to tour, learn rowing, net casting, fishing, and listen to stories while witnessing the simple life here.
