Bai Tu Long Bay: A Serene Alternative of Ha Long Bay

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Perhaps you’ve already heard of Ha Long Bay, a once hidden gem of northern Vietnam now an open treasury boxes in a museum. Its dramatic scenery craves the attention of tourists and due to this, it cannot be helped that the mystery of Ha Long is slowly unraveling hiding nothing anymore.

For anyone who’s craving for a more remote, more serene version of Ha Long, a little bit on the north and further in the east lies the answer. Bai Tu Long, another bay past the crowds of Ha Long, has also its own magic and stories to tell.

LOCATION

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Situated at only 30 kilometers east of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s tourist spot highlight, it is a good break from the crowd. The same as its sister, Bai Tu Long Bay is another spot to see in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

This bay is located in the northeast of Vietnam and nearer to China compared to Ha Long Bay. Apart from the popular Ha Long Bay bounding it from the southwest, there are also other locations to mark Bai Tu Long on the map. On its east are the large islands of Co To District while mainland Cam Pha borders Bai Tu Long from the west.

CLIMATE

(3) Bai Tu Long Bay during the colder months

What Ha Long Bay enjoys in climate was also enjoyed by Bai Tu Long Bay. Bai Tu Long Bay also enjoys two seasons: a hot and wet summer and a cold and dry winter. April to September is when the summer months run its course, while October to March is when winter comes.

Traveling year round is possible; you just have to choose which climate you will enjoy more. On the other hand, you also have to remember the typhoon season, which happens in months of August to October, and the coldest months of December to February in planning your trip.

TRANSPORTATION

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The same way of traveling to the Ha Long, you can choose between air travel and sea travel. Only ten minutes away from Ha Long is the Cai Lan International Port where passengers are then transported by buses to their accommodations handled by your chosen touring service company.

From there, you will stay on a cruise ship to complete your tour to Nai Tu Long. For anyone who wants to travel by air, most took the flight to Hanoi Airport and takes the bus as well to Ha Long. 

Hanoi is 180 kilometers away from Ha Long. A nearer airport is Ha Phong, which is 80 kilometers away.

ATTRACTION

The Islands of Bai Tu Long Bay and its Legend

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Compared to Ha Long Bay, the islands in Bai Tu Long Bay is less accessible with only few open for tourists; however, the added effort you will exert in order to see them is worthwhile for its glittering surroundings when the sun is high or for its dramatic environment when the clouds are dominating the sky.

The same as Ha Long Bay, there is also a story surrounding the existence of the bay. It also revolves around the dragon that descended upon the earth to protect the country of Vietnam. However, the story says there is a family of dragon to descend contradicting the story of Ha Long with only one.

The family of dragons that refuse to go back to sky became Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Ha Long Bay is said to be the mother dragon and Bai Tu Long Bay is said to be the children dragons, which is said to give way for the formation of islets rising through the waters of Gulf Tonkin.

Quan Lan Island

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Quan Lan Island is a popular destination in touring Bai Tu Long Bay. The long coastline of white sand and usually serene water makes up for a blissful walk. Apart from the strolls by the shore and dipping in the sea, there are also more to see and do on the island.

You can see the sand dunes or the rock formations through kayaking. There are also small villages in Quan Lan Island to visit in which you can bicycle your way through and witness the native’s lifestyle.

Cai Rong Island

Another island to visit in Bai Tu Long is Cai Rong. In here you will witness a fishing village in which, despite its small size, is a busy and lively affair.

You can explore the village or hike to another village called Dao where a minority of ethnic group resides. You will also see the caves of limestone and different rock formations in Cai Rong.

Caves in Bai Tu Long

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Despite less accessible islands, you can still see and explore numerous caves in Bai Tu Long Bay.

While the natural wonder is what people always look for, most tours, spice things up by preparing a candle lit dinner in the caves to cop a wonderful journey of their guests.

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Images:
(1.) http://www.dragonlegendcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Bai-Tu-Long-bay.jpg
(2.) http://www.valentinecruisehalong.com/valentinecruisehalong-images/gallery/map_valentine_3days_op2_EG.jpg
(3.) http://halongtourvietnam.org/uploads/ha-long/2015_07/baitulong-bay.jpg
(4.) http://huetouristvietnam.com/upload/images/03%202014/Chan%20Mai%20port%202.JPG
(5.) http://gobeyond.asia/var/site/storage/images/media/images/vietnam2/trips-vietnam/quan-lan-island/halong-bay-vietnam/178917-1-eng-GB/halong-bay-vietnam.jpg
(6.) http://www.travelsense.asia/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/quanlan-island.jpg
(7.) http://en.vietnam.com/blog//wp-content/uploads/2012/06/6440063_ad554a89e3_l.jpg
(8.) http://www.dragonlegendcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Thien-Canh-Son-cave-1024×681.jpg