Where to go in Quang Ninh?

Hạ Long Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long)
Needless to say, Hạ Long Bay has been so popular that it is always the first destination that one can ever think of when deciding to take a trip to Quảng Ninh Province. Recognized twice as one of the world’s heritage sites in 1994 and 2000, Hạ Long Bay until this moment has been preserved and also still remains its own unique and natural landscapes that will astonish every single visitor who seeks for true beauty that lies within the most ordinary place. Proud to own one of the world’s heritages recognized by the UNESCO, we delightedly present you to Hạ Long Bay, an extraordinary mountainous and rocky area lying to the sea with the most spectacular natural stone caves formed by rain and water leakage and wonderful giant natural shaped rock slabs on sea. Hạ Long Bay is particularly famous for its diverse number of 1969 islands with Thiên Cung, Đầu Gỗ and other fantastic colorful limestone and schist caves. Not only has Hạ Long Bay been recognized until present but also dating back to 500 years ago, the great poet Nguyễn Trãi once praised Hạ Long Bay as “the stone wonder standing by the sky” in one of his literature piece called Lộ Nhập Vân Đồn. I remember that it has been the fourth time I come to Hạ Long Bay but I will never forget that feeling of sitting in a ferry, floating all the way on the sea and contemplated the beautiful stone slabs with their sorrow strangely float in the air. I think what I got was more like soul easing than just beauty enjoying.

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Address: Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province

Bãi Cháy
Bãi Cháy is a ward situated in Hạ Long City. The ward is famous for a beautiful beach named after that of the ward. Although it is an artificial beach, it is still in favour of many tourists and international friends for its eco-friendliness and unobtrusive beauty. Bãi Cháy back in the day was actually an island with many of those legends and mysterious origins surrounding. Bãi Cháy, word by word translated to English means “the firing field”. Intrinsically, the place owns that name according to a story of the enemies’ boats which were fired and pushed to the shore, burnt all the forest near there and made the whole place on fire. Although, many years have passed by, Bãi Cháy still keeps its original beauty with a range of hills lying among green lines of pine trees, magnificent villas and old houses. What will even amaze you more is the gorgeous Bãi Cháy Bridge that from the top, you will see the whole island lying still and charmingly. Coming to Bãi Cháy, not only can you have the chance to soak in the cozy sea water but you can also get entertained by different kinds of arts such as puppet show and traditional music concert.

Address: Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province

Yên Tử Mountain (Núi Yên Tử)
Also known as Yên Tử Sơn in Chinese calling, Yên Tử Mountain is regarded as the ancestral land of Vietnamese Buddhism. Back in the day, Yên Tử was also called Bạch Vân Sơn (White Cloud Mountain) for the beautiful cloud coverage around the mount. Owning the height of 1068 meters, Yên Tử is a true challenge to any climber since it will take approximately 6 hours to continuously climb to the mount, and cross all the stone stairs and forests. If you simply want to sightsee, you should avoid going to Yên Tử on festival days from 10^th January in Moon calendar since it will be like a mess with packs of people hustling in the midst of a press to get to the pagodas. Other special features of Yên Tử Mountain are Giải Oan Pagoda and Giải Oan Stream (Exonerative Pagoda and Stream) with a very beautiful bridge built by Trần Nhân Tông Emperor to lift the curse for thousands of imperial maids and concubines who died for him. In the area, beside the statue worshipping Trần Nhân Tông, two others worshipping Pháp Loa and Huyền Quang Zen Buddhist are also situated. In addition, you can also drop by Đồng, Hoa Yên and One-Roofed (Một Mái) Pagodas.

Address: Uông Bí City, Quảng Ninh Province

Tuần Châu Island (Đảo Tuần Châu)
Being reformed from hills, Tuần Châu Island is absolutely a wonderful place that you must visit. Apart from Hạ Long city center about 2 km, Tuần Châu is a complex of the most beautiful villas and architectures. Going to Tuần Châu, you will have the opportunity to taste the finest Eastern and Western cuisine offered by the most accomplished chiefs from all over the globe. Adding up to the excitement, hundreds of clubs holding with dolphin, sea-calf circus and water music show are always ready to serve. Along the blue sea, there is also a great deal of coastal villas where you can enjoy your own cozy night or just simply to get a glimpse of the beautiful sea. Other interesting water activities such as water-skiing, canoeing and fishing are also offered. However, if you are a climbing lover, outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and camping will also not let you down.

 

Address: Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province

Cô Tô Island (Đảo Cô Tô)
Enchanting and ecological, Cô Tô is one of the most beautiful islands in Quảng Ninh. It has even been written in many literature pieces of famous authors and even been chosen as the title of some. Typically, there is “Cô Tô” of the most famous and the greatest modern author of all-Nguyễn Tuân written about his long-day experience on Cô Tô Island. I remember, he once wrote: “ I dim my eyes to the newest fresh oysters, the sea, the sky, the blurry sand line of Cô Tô mother island and the sand field of the small one visually and lively carved with lines of houses and the silhouette of trees from the fishing hamlet. From the Eastern skyline, the grey clouds dangle to the wave as an angry goddess is drying her hair on a muddy soapberry water brass. Then I stand and feel the coldness from the smell of wind that seems to be leading the rain to this place blows.” Cô Tô is also famous for the Cô Tô lighthouse built in late 19^th century and from the lighthouse, you can see the whole view of Cô Tô. In the south, you can drop by Cầu Mỵ stone field and take some beautiful pictures there. There are also many famous places in the island such as Hồng Vàn, Van Chải beaches and the romantic love path with the dreamy lines of poplar surrounding.

Quan Lạn Island (Đảo Quan Lạn)
Quan Lạn is a beautiful island in Quảng Ninh, and it is famous for its gorgeous wilderness as well as peaceful natural beauties. Quan Lạn is particularly a place for photography. Especially in wedding season of the year, Quan Lạn is always chosen as the stop of couples for its own romantic scenery. Beaches at Quan Lạn are also very beautiful and silent, not as crowded as Sầm Sơn and the others. If you want to enjoy a quiet noon on the beach, check out Quan Lạn, Sơn Hào and Minh Châu. I promise that you will not be disappointed. In addition, Ngọc Vừng is the mini island in Quan Lạn that you should also know. Ngọc Vừng is beautiful from the trees to the sand and especially from up high, it is not at all different from a silky and charming scaft floating on the sea. There are also very beautiful places that you should discover yourself such as Quan Lạn communal house and Trần Khánh Dư Shrine.

Photo credit: Tu Cong Van

Cái Chiên Island (Đảo Cái Chiên)
Cái Chiên is absolutely a beauty. Though not as ecologic as Cô Tô but the island’s wilderness is what attracts the visitors. The island is surrounded by the lush greenery of hills and forest. Everything just seems to have not been exploited and discovered by human. With the land area of 2500 hectares, Cái Chiên owns one of the most wonderful beaches with 2 km of coast line, white sand and pure water. Although lying next to the sea, Cái Chiên Island is still very famous with homestay services emerging in the island center and small seashores such as Cái Chiên and Đầu Rồng. However, if you are too familiar with homestay, you can try out sea camping for a true road-trip experience. From the homestay area, you can also make a motorbike rental to drive to Đuôi Rồng area. From here, you can walk yourself on the beautiful rock fields and cast your eyes upon the wildest and most breathtaking natural scene.

Website: http://caichienisland.blogspot.com

Cửa Vạn Fishing Village (Làng Chài Cửa Vạn)
I guess it must be always thrilling to actually experience the life of a fisherman. If you are one of those who craves for the unusualness and unfamiliarity, you should go to  Cửa Vạn Fishing Village to get that experience of a lifetime. Surrounded by the silent sea area and the rocky mountain, Cửa Vạn easily catches your attention at the very first glimpse with its strangely peaceful atmosphere of a fishing village that is supposed to be crowded. Cửa Vạn is actually originated from two other fishing villages which are Giang Võng and Trúc Võng. Coming to Cửa Vạn, you can experience the life of a true fisherman, setting sail in the blurry night and coming back in the morning with a basket full of fresh fish. If you are lucky to come here on festival time, you can get the chance to here the villagers sing “ghẹo” and “đường” (two kinds of traditional singing in Quảng Ninh). Furthermore, you can make a small trip to Tiên Ông Cave and Vân Đồn Lake to discover more beauties of Cửa Vạn.

Vân Đồn
Vân Đồn is a coastal suburban district in Quảng Ninh Province, also known as a Northeastern archipelago of Bái Tử Long Bay. Vân Đồn consists of 600 islands different in size. The largest is Cái Bầu with the land area of approximately half of the place. Vân Đồn is famous for its romantic view and it is chosen as a favourite destination for loving couples. The natural beauty of Vân Đồn is undoubtedly wonderful and magnificent. Offering a great deal of small beaches such as Sơn Hào, Minh Châu and the famous artificial beach Việt-Mỹ, Vân Đồn is definitely a must-visit destination in your trip. In addition, you can drop by Quan Lạn Shrine and Temple to pray for luck and happiness.

Bình Liêu
Speaking of Bình Liêu, maybe not so many will notice of this gorgeous place but if you are a backpacker, this is a must-know destination. Believe me, Bình Liêu is beautiful even in every single step that you take. Owning the appearance of a mountainous area, Bình Liêu is wild and natural from the trees and flowers to its scene. With the most charming road-trip paths, Bình Liêu easily attracts and enchants every backpacker who set foot to the place. Though being compared as a mini Sapa land, Bình Liêu is still wild and beautiful in its own way with the dreamy lines of white reed waving in the wind, the bumpy mountainous path, the yellow terrace rice field and Trẩu flowers gorgeously bloom in March and April. Especially, the bumpy mountainous path is also called “Dinosaur back” by the locals as a little reminder of its own unique as well as the hardships. As entering deeply in the center, you will encounter the local village with simple houses, green gardens, and the cooling stream. Therefore, take you time here and also take a lot of pictures as a little achievement of your “Dinosaur back” conquer.

Ba Vàng Pagoda (Chùa Ba Vàng)
Also known as Bảo Quang Tự, Ba Vàng Pagoda lies perched way up high the mount of a mountain with the height of 340 meters in the West of Uông Bí City. Until present, no clue there is about when the pagoda was formed but we know exactly that Ba Vàng is definitely where you should come. Owning the traditional design and architecture, Ba Vàng is just like a house of the heaven, and appears then hides in layers of floppy white clouds. In front is Bạch Đằng River, a little bit far away is Hải Phòng and at the skyline is the crowded Đồ Sơn Beach. It is like you can see the whole world from here. In my imagination, Ba Vàng is like a beautiful palace hidden among the trees. It is especially gorgeous at night when all the lights are lit up and the place is dyed in the warming and imperial golden of reminiscence.

 

Address: Quang Trung Ward, Uông Bí City, Quảng Ninh Province
Website: http://www.chuabavang.com.vn
Tel: (+84) 962 940 024
        (+84) 336 585 792