By Jimmy, Halong Bay cruise specialist · Updated
Bai Tu Long Bay 2026: The Complete Guide to Halong’s Quietest Neighbour
Bai Tu Long Bay lies north-east of Halong Bay in Quang Ninh, mainly in the waters of Van Don, with the same limestone karst scenery and a fraction of the boats. It includes Bai Tu Long National Park, island beaches such as Quan Lan and Minh Chau, and since March 2025 five official sightseeing routes from Ao Tien port. Many cruises sold as Bai Tu Long also sail the quiet eastern part of Halong Bay, with Vung Vieng village and Thien Canh Son Cave.
Know which Bai Tu Long you are booking (checked October 2026): Cruise companies use the name for two areas. (1) The eastern part of Halong Bay (route VHL4: Thien Canh Son Cave, Vung Vieng, Cap La, Cong Do), reached from Ha Long ports; this is what most 2-day Bai Tu Long cruises visit. (2) Bai Tu Long Bay proper around Van Don, with routes BTL1–BTL5 from Ao Tien port. Both are far quieter than the classic Halong Bay route.
Bai Tu Long Bay at a Glance
| Location |
Quang Ninh, north-east of Halong Bay, mainly Van Don |
| From Hanoi |
About 2.5–3 hours to Ha Long ports; about 3–3.5 hours to Van Don via the Ha Long–Van Don expressway |
| National park |
Bai Tu Long National Park: founded 2001, about 15,780 ha (6,125 ha of islands, about 9,660 ha of sea); ASEAN Heritage Park 30 September 2016 |
| Biodiversity |
About 2,235 species recorded by 2017, including over 100 rare or threatened species |
| Name |
Bái Tử Long: the dragon’s children paying respect to their mother |
| Official routes |
BTL1–BTL5 from Ao Tien port (since 29 March 2025); eastern Halong Bay route VHL4 |
| Highlights |
Vung Vieng, Thien Canh Son Cave, Cap La, Cong Do – Cong Dam, Quan Lan and Minh Chau beaches |
| Ticket |
VHL4 200,000 VND (Management Board 2025); BTL route fees set separately; included in our cruise prices |
| Best time |
March–May and September–November |
| Find it |
TripAdvisor · Wikipedia |
Is Bai Tu Long Bay worth it? Yes if you value calm over icons. You will not see Sung Sot Cave or Ti Top Island, but you will have the karst mostly to yourself, plus real fishing culture and some of the region’s best beaches.
A cruise at sunset on the Bai Tu Long side of Halong Bay
What Makes Bai Tu Long Bay Special
Space
Far fewer ships sail here than on Halong Bay’s classic route, so anchorages stay quiet even in high season.
Protected nature
Bai Tu Long National Park protects forest-covered islands, coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves. Experts from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity have praised the mangroves of Tra Ngo Lon island as exceptional in South-East Asia.
Fishing culture
Vung Vieng still has families farming fish and pearls, and Cong Lao Vong in Van Don is on the new official routes.
Beaches
Islands such as Quan Lan and Minh Chau have long sandy beaches, rare in the Halong region.
Name and Legend
When the Jade Emperor sent a mother dragon and her children to defend Vietnam, the mother descended at Ha Long and her children at Bai Tu Long, bowing towards her. The bay’s name, Bái Tử Long, means the dragon’s children paying respect.
History
From 1149 Van Don was Dai Viet’s main trading port, receiving ships from across Asia. Caves in the area, such as Soi Nhu, show human presence many thousands of years ago. Bai Tu Long National Park was created in 2001 from the former Ba Mun nature reserve and was recognised as the 38th ASEAN Heritage Park on 30 September 2016. In March 2023 Quang Ninh opened Ao Tien international passenger port in Van Don, and on 29 March 2025 the province launched five official Bai Tu Long sightseeing routes from it.
Vung Vieng floating fishing village
The National Park
The park covers about 15,780 ha across Minh Chau, Ha Long and Van Yen communes in Van Don: 6,125 ha of islands and about 9,660 ha of sea. Its core zone is on Ba Mun island. By 2017 scientists had recorded about 2,235 species (992 on land and 1,243 marine), with over 100 on Vietnamese or IUCN red lists, and around 106 coral species. Source: VietnamNet.
Official Bai Tu Long Routes (from Ao Tien Port)
| Route |
Sights |
| BTL1 |
Tay Hoi island, Meo May Man (Lucky Cat) islet, Ban Sen island, Nha Tro cave |
| BTL2 |
Phat Co cave, pearl farm at Hon Da Den, Cong Lao Vong, Dua islet, Minh Chau island |
| BTL3 |
Cong Lao Vong fishing village, Tra Ngo Lon island, Thien Nga (Swan) islet |
| BTL4 |
Cai De area, Mang Ha overnight anchorage |
| BTL5 |
Tra Than lagoon (Tra Ngo Lon), Cai Lim beach, Mang Ha anchorage, Cai De |
Route list as announced by the Ha Long Bay Management Board (March 2025). A 2024 provincial list numbered the same routes slightly differently, and BTL fees and durations have not been widely published.
Eastern Halong Bay: What Most Bai Tu Long Cruises Visit
Most two-day cruises sold as Bai Tu Long leave from Ha Long ports and sail Halong Bay route VHL4: Thien Canh Son Cave (Hang Co), Hang Thay, Cap La, Vung Vieng, Tung Ang, Cong Do and Hon Xep. It is officially part of Halong Bay but feels like a different world from the classic route.
Inside Thien Canh Son Cave on the Bai Tu Long side of Halong Bay
Top Things to Do
1. Row through Vung Vieng
A bamboo boat ride through the floating village and the Hang Cao arch.
2. Thien Canh Son Cave and beach
A quiet cave with light shafts and a small beach below.
Kayaks on a quiet beach in the eastern bay near Bai Tu Long
3. Kayak at Cap La and Cong Do
Remote lagoons and coral areas on three-day cruises.
Kayaking between islets in the Cong Do area
4. Island beaches
Quan Lan, Minh Chau and beaches such as Ban Chan, reached via Van Don, are among the best in northern Vietnam.
A pristine beach in Bai Tu Long Bay
5. Explore the national park
Forest trails and mangroves on Tra Ngo Lon and Ba Mun, with guides from the park.
Tickets and Rules
| Item |
Details (checked October 2026) |
| VHL4 (eastern Halong Bay) |
200,000 VND per person per visit (Management Board list, 2025) |
| BTL1–BTL5 |
Fees set separately; not widely published |
| Boat hours |
Follow Quang Ninh’s Decision 43/2024 schedule; cruises stop when the bay is closed for storms |
| Rules |
No single-use plastic; no coral or shell souvenirs; respect village privacy |
How to Get to Bai Tu Long Bay
| Option |
How it works |
Best for |
| Bai Tu Long cruise (2D1N / 3D2N) |
From Ha Long ports into eastern Halong Bay |
Most travellers |
| VHL4 day boat |
About 8 hours from the port |
Short visits |
| Ao Tien port boats (BTL routes) |
From Van Don |
Island hoppers |
| Ferry to Quan Lan or Minh Chau |
From Van Don piers |
Beach stays |
Best Time to Visit
| Months |
Weather |
Notes |
| March–May |
Mild, calm |
Very good |
| June–August |
Hot, storm risk |
Beach season |
| September–November |
Clear, calm |
Best |
| December–February |
Cool, misty |
Peaceful |
See our best time to visit Halong Bay guide.
Bai Tu Long Bay vs Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay
|
Bai Tu Long |
Halong |
Lan Ha |
| Crowds |
Quietest |
Busiest |
Moderate |
| Caves |
Smaller (Thien Canh Son) |
Big (Sung Sot, Thien Cung) |
Smaller (Trung Trang) |
| Villages |
Vung Vieng, Cong Lao Vong |
Cua Van |
Viet Hai (land) |
| Beaches |
Quan Lan, Minh Chau |
Ti Top |
Many small coves |
Our view: Choose Bai Tu Long Bay for solitude and small luxury ships; Halong Bay for icons; Lan Ha Bay for beaches and kayaking.
Choosing a Bai Tu Long Cruise
Ships on this side include Athena Royal Cruise, Cycad Cruise, Signature Cruise, Garden Peak Cruise, Swan Cruise, Prince Private Cruise and L’amour Private Junk. Ask which area each itinerary covers.
Local Expert Tips
These tips come from more than a decade of arranging Halong Bay trips for international travellers.
- Choose three days to reach Cap La or Cong Do
- Bring cash for bamboo boat tips
- For beaches, add a night on Quan Lan or Minh Chau
- Private junks suit couples and families who want total quiet
Plan Your Visit
Message us on WhatsApp +84 886 261 368 or browse Bai Tu Long Bay cruises. Best Price Guarantee included.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bai Tu Long Bay
1. Where is Bai Tu Long Bay?
Bai Tu Long Bay is north-east of Halong Bay in Quang Ninh, mainly in the waters of Van Don.
2. Is Bai Tu Long Bay part of Halong Bay?
They are neighbouring bays. Many cruises sold as Bai Tu Long sail the eastern part of Halong Bay (route VHL4), which is officially Halong Bay.
3. Is Bai Tu Long Bay a UNESCO World Heritage site?
The eastern part of Halong Bay is managed under the World Heritage regime; Bai Tu Long Bay proper around Van Don is mostly outside the property but includes a national park and ASEAN Heritage Park.
4. Is Bai Tu Long better than Halong Bay?
Quieter but without the big caves; see the comparison above.
5. How far is Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi?
About 2.5–3 hours to Ha Long ports or about 3–3.5 hours to Van Don.
6. What are the BTL1 to BTL5 routes?
Official Bai Tu Long sightseeing routes from Ao Tien port in Van Don, launched on 29 March 2025.
7. How many days do I need for Bai Tu Long Bay?
Two days minimum; three to reach Cap La and Cong Do.
8. Is there an entrance fee for Bai Tu Long Bay?
Yes; VHL4 is 200,000 VND, and BTL routes have separate fees. Our cruise prices include them.
9. What does Bai Tu Long mean?
The dragon’s children paying respect to their mother.
10. Which cruises go to Bai Tu Long Bay?
See our Bai Tu Long Bay cruises, e.g. Athena Royal.
11. What is Bai Tu Long National Park?
A park of about 15,780 ha created in 2001 and named an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2016.
12. Is Bai Tu Long Bay good for kayaking?
Yes, especially around Cap La and Cong Do.
13. Are there beaches in Bai Tu Long Bay?
Yes, on Quan Lan, Minh Chau and smaller islands.
14. What is the best month for Bai Tu Long Bay?
October; see our best time guide.
15. Is Bai Tu Long Bay safe in typhoon season?
Cruises stop when the bay is closed; book flexible dates. See our Halong Bay FAQs.
16. Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay?
Lan Ha for kayaking and coves; Bai Tu Long for solitude.
17. Can I book a private cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay?
Yes; ask on our contact page. Plan Bai Tu Long Bay with us.
