Enjoy the turquoise sea and white sand on Quan Lan Island

Quan Lan Island is among the few places in the North with beautiful beaches, easy access, and a fairly diverse food scene.

Enjoy the turquoise sea and white sand on Quan Lan Island

Quan Lan is a small island in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh. Despite its small size, the island boasts long beaches, crystal-clear water, and pristine white sand. Previously, before electricity was available, this island had few tourists, and everything was still very wild. After the national power grid was established, Quan Lan Island suddenly became a famous tourist destination for Northern travelers, along with Co To Island.

Getting Around

In addition to private vehicles, you can conveniently take a bus. Xuân Trường bus picks up at 1:45 am at the Hanoi Opera House, offering sleeper beds at 150,000 VND/person. Make sure to book in advance for a sleeper bed, otherwise, you may have to sit. There are 2 buses running continuously. Night buses are faster. After about 3 hours and 30 minutes, the bus will arrive at Cai Rong port, Van Don district. If you plan to return by Xuân Trường bus, book in advance as well. The bus picks up at Cai Rong port at 1 – 2 and 3 pm. However, the return trip is slower due to heavier traffic, and the bus often stops to pick up passengers along the way. It takes nearly 6 hours. To save time, you can opt for a limousine.

High-speed boats to the island include Hao Thinh and Thanh Hung. The earliest trip is at 6 a.m., and the latest is at 1:30 p.m. The latest return trip from the island on weekdays is at 1:30 p.m. On weekends, it's at 3 p.m. The fare for a one-way trip is 150,000 dong per person. The travel time ranges from 35 to 45 minutes. Additionally, there are wooden boats available, which are slower but cheaper.

The average price for renting a motorbike on the island is 150,000 dong per day (excluding fuel). If fuel is included, it's 200,000 dong. It's important to inquire clearly to avoid misunderstandings and disputes as many guests have encountered this issue.

Renting a tuk-tuk costs around 700,000 dong per day for touring around the island. This mode of transportation is suitable for families. Electric scooters are more expensive, costing over 1 million dong per day.

Accommodation

Amazing Hotel at Viet My Beach offers rooms for 2 people ranging from 600,000 to 700,000 dong per night depending on the season, while rooms for 4 people cost 1 million dong per night. Payment is required in advance. Amazing is the only place by the beach, making it more convenient for swimming and recreational activities.

Dining

You can enjoy dining directly at the hotel or at the beaches, but be sure to inquire about the prices to avoid overcharging on the island as food on Quan Lan Island, in general, is quite expensive. Minh Chau Beach offers lounge chair rentals for 80,000 to 100,000 dong per chair, and if you dine, you get complimentary access. Here, you can order various types of seafood. Other beaches on the island also offer food options.

Additionally, you can dine in the residential area at Quan Lan Beach. The most beautiful restaurant is right at the intersection. Here, restaurants offer set menus, for example, 1 million dong for 4 people, 40,000 dong per coconut, 8,000 to 10,000 dong per fresh clam. For cheaper options, you can wake up early and go to the market, or buy from the snack shops opposite Quan Lan Temple, purchasing by the kilogram.

Entertainment

Quan Lan Island has a narrow width but is quite long, thus boasting many beautiful beaches:

– Minh Chau Beach: Located at the end of Quan Lan area, with fine white sand, many hotels, and guesthouses. Food is warned to be quite expensive. Many tourists enjoy swimming here. There is a row of public bathrooms, priced at 20,000 dong per person. Adjacent to Minh Chau Beach towards the end of Quan Lan, there is a smaller and quieter beach for those seeking tranquility.

– Viet My Beach near the pier, originally a deserted project so locals rent it seasonally for business. It's the only area with food establishments facing the sea, offering beautiful views, affordable prices, and many karaoke bars. The coastline is long, with sand not as fine as Minh Chau, but the beach is spacious.

Quan Lan Temple in Tan Phong: A historical temple dating back about 800 years, you can visit here. It's a residential area with a market inside, open from 4-5 a.m. and only operates for about 2-3 hours. You can buy groceries and fruits here.

Wind Strait area, about 6 km from the pier. The road uphill is rough, but motorcycles can still pass. When nearing the Wind Strait area, park your vehicle by the roadside and walk in. The Wind Strait is stunning; from the high mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea.

The twin white sand riverbanks: Originally a sewage area, but with white sand on both sides, it's quite beautiful. It's the perfect spot for Instagram-worthy photos, especially with the backdrop of the grassy field nearby, resembling scenes from abroad. Just head towards the cement factory and sand quarry, about 100-150 m away is the twin white sand riverbanks.

By Tuan Dao/Star

***

Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook