Ha Long Bay is home to nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets, of which only a handful are accessible or developed for visitors. Beyond the anonymous karst peaks that compose postcard-perfect landscapes, certain islands merit a stop for their villages, history, or distinctive terrain. Here is an overview of possible stops during a cruise or excursion from Ha Long.

Why visit the islands of Ha Long Bay

The islands of the bay offer a natural complement to classic cruises between karst peaks. They allow for varied experiences: swimming on developed beaches, hiking to a viewpoint, visiting a fishing village, or a historical detour to a former trading post. Each island has its own character, and combining two or three stops allows you to grasp the diversity of the bay beyond its mineral spectacle alone.

A bit of history

The Ha Long Bay and Gulf of Tonkin region long served as a maritime crossroads between southern China and the Red River delta. The Van Don archipelago, located about fifty kilometers east of Ha Long, is the most striking illustration of this: under the Ly and Tran dynasties, in the 11th and 12th centuries, it functioned as an active commercial port, welcoming merchant ships from China, Japan, Thailand and beyond. Vestiges of this era remain discreet on the ground, but the memory of the place is documented by Vietnamese chronicles.

Later, in 1468, King Le Thanh Tong, visiting the bay and impressed by its landscapes, composed a poem which he had carved into the face of a limestone cliff — this site is today known as Poem Mountain (Nui Bai Tho).

Islands to see

Tuan Chau Island

Located about 5 km west of Bai Chay, Tuan Chau is one of the few truly developed islands in the bay. It is home to three villages, a few restaurants, and the former summer residence of Ho Chi Minh, open to visitors. The island today serves as the main embarkation point for numerous cruises and offers beaches, performances, and tourist infrastructure. It is a practical gateway to the bay rather than a preserved natural destination.

Van Don Archipelago

About fifty kilometers from Ha Long, Van Don brings together approximately 600 islets and constitutes an eastern extension less visited than the heart of the bay. Historically, the archipelago played an important commercial role under the Ly and Tran dynasties. Today, visitors come mainly for its marine life, small fishing ports, and a few beaches, in a more local atmosphere than around Bai Chay.

Deu Island

Some cruise itineraries include a stop at Deu Island, renowned for the presence of monkeys (locally reported as "red-bottomed monkeys"). The precise identification of the species remains to be confirmed with your guide, but the stop offers quick contact with the bay's island fauna.

Poem Mountain (Nui Bai Tho)

This limestone cliff, which rises 106 meters above sea level, stretches along the Ha Long coast. From the sea, you can make out the poem commissioned by King Le Thanh Tong in 1468, carved into its face. The mountain can also be climbed by land from the city for a sweeping view of the bay.

Practical information

• Most islands are visited as part of a one-day or multi-day cruise departing from Ha Long or Tuan Chau.
• Budget ranges from moderate to high depending on the boat's comfort level and the duration of the outing.
• Plan for a swimsuit, closed-toe shoes for trails, and sun protection.
• Specific stops (Deu Island, Van Don) are not included in all itineraries: verify the program before booking.

When to go

The best period runs from October to April, with dry weather and moderate temperatures. From May to September, heat and humidity increase, and typhoon season (July to September) can lead to cruise cancellations. Spring sometimes remains misty, which softens the atmosphere but reduces visibility.

How to get there

Ha Long is accessible from Hanoi in approximately 2.5 hours by highway. Cruises generally depart from Tuan Chau International Port or Bai Chay. For Van Don, further east, allow an additional hour of travel from Ha Long. Daily shuttles and buses connect Hanoi to the region.

What to see nearby

Ha Long Bay is part of a larger landscape that deserves several days of exploration. Cat Ba Island, between development and biosphere preservation, extends the bay to the south and offers an interesting contrast with the most frequented sites. Further into the country, the Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong Delta offers another perspective on Vietnam's relationship with water, while Ba Den Mountain and Buu Long Mountain complement an itinerary between karst landscapes and sacred peaks.

Plan your trip

To integrate Ha Long Bay's islands into a coherent circuit, explore our Vietnam travel ideas and build a custom itinerary with our advisors.