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As a beautiful island renowned in Quang Ninh, visiting Quan Lan allows you to immerse yourself in pristine natural landscapes, with long stretches of white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and numerous historical and cultural relics perfect for sightseeing and beach relaxation, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
When traveling to Quan Lan, you'll be immersed in pristine natural scenery (photo by st)
1. Introduction to Quan Lan
Quan Lan Island is located in Bai Tu Long Bay, comprising Quan Lan commune and Minh Chau commune in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. The entire island has an area of 11km2, stretching from the foothills of Van Don mountain range to Got mountain with high mountains in the east acting as a sturdy wall to protect the islanders.
2. When is the Best Time to Visit Quan Lan, Quang Ninh?
You can choose to visit Quan Lan Beach in the summer or autumn as the weather during these times is cool and ideal for you to enjoy and relax. The period from April to June and from September to November is considered the best time to visit Quan Lan. Additionally, you should avoid visiting in July and August as this is when storms and heavy rains can affect your trip.
The period from April to June and from September to November is the best time to visit Quan Lan (photo by st)
3. Transportation when traveling to Quan Lan
a. From Hanoi to Van Don
Hanoi is about 210km from Van Don, so you can choose to take a bus or a passenger car from My Dinh bus station or Luong Yen bus station to Cua Ong bus station (but remember to ask the driver to drop you off at the intersection of Van Don). The average travel time by this means of transportation is about 5 hours. Upon arrival in Van Don, you can take a bus, a passenger car, or a taxi to Cai Rong port.
Traveling by motorbike is also an interesting experience
Moreover, if you're an adventurous soul seeking new experiences, you can opt for a motorbike trip from Hanoi to Halong with the following route: from Hanoi, take Highway 5 to Sai Dong Intersection, then head to Bac Ninh, and continue on Highway 18 passing through Pha Lai, Chi Linh, Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, Halong, and finally take a ferry to the island. The total distance is approximately 155km.
b. Taking a ferry to the island
You can purchase high-speed ferry tickets to Quan Lan Island at Cai Rong Port. There are two trips per day: in the morning at 8:15 AM and in the afternoon at 3:15 PM.
- Duration: 45 – 50 minutes
- Ticket price: 100,000 VND per person per way
- Departure time from Van Don to Quan Lan: Morning 8:15 AM, Afternoon 3:15 PM
- Departure time from Quan Lan to Van Don: Morning 7:15 AM, Afternoon 2:15 PM
To get to Quan Lan, you can purchase tickets for high-speed ferries or take wooden boats (st photo)
Note:
– In addition to the regular scheduled trips, there are additional trips available at a fare of 120,000 VND per person per way.
– If you opt for the wooden boat, there are 1-2 trips per day at 7 AM and 11 AM, however, the travel time is longer. The ticket price is approximately 60,000 VND per person.
- Ticket prices and departure times may vary depending on the season and weather
- If you travel on weekends, it's advisable to arrive 30 - 60 minutes early because Quan Lan Island gets very crowded on these days, and once the ferry is full, it will depart immediately instead of waiting until the scheduled time.
4. Transportation on Quan Lan Island
The main mode of transportation for tourists on the island is the tuk-tuk. Each ride can accommodate about 8-10 people cruising along the narrow roads to the beaches. The usual price is around 100,000 VND per ride. You can also rent a shuttle service for the entire journey over 2-3 days at a cost of approximately 500,000 VND.
Tuk-tuk in Quan Lan Island
Additionally, you can also rent a motorbike or take a motorbike taxi to explore the island. However, the price of motorbike taxis here is twice as expensive as on the mainland because the fuel has to be transported from the mainland, so you need to consider carefully.
5. Places to Have Fun and Explore in Quan Lan
Quan Lan Island attracts tourists with beautiful beaches, fresh air, cool blue sea, and extreme tranquility, unlike other bustling beaches. Quan Lan has 3 beaches including Quan Lan Beach, Minh Chau Beach, and Son Hao Beach.
Quan Lan Beach
Quan Lan's beaches attract tourists with their pristine beauty and serenity (Photo: collected)
As one of the beautiful beaches that still retains its pristine beauty with smooth white sand, big waves attract many tourists who prefer gentle, peaceful fun and camping.
Photo: Collection
Bright sunny days in Quan Lan (Photo: ST)
Like a sleeping fairy in the lower realm, Quan Lan Beach exudes a dreamy beauty untouched by the worldly dust. The fresh and pleasant air brings you moments of relaxation for your weekend getaway.
Another view of Quan Lan Island
Minh Chau Beach
Exciting experiences at Minh Chau (Photo: ST)
This is also a favorite spot for many tourists visiting Quan Lan because of its white sand and clear blue water. The beaches here are extremely special, with fine sand that doesn't stick to your feet and stretches out like white silk.
Majestic natural scenery at Minh Chau Beach (Photo: ST)
Visiting Minh Chau Beach, you can organize outdoor activities beyond the beach, exploring the marine world. There is also a forest near the beach, perfect for adventure enthusiasts.
Image of Minh Chau Beach (Photo: ST)
Son Hao Beach
Photo: Collected
It is the busiest and most service-rich place. The beach is very wide and beautiful, attracting a lot of tourists to visit, take photos, and have fun.
The pristine blue waves at the beach (Photo: ST)
Besides, this beach is also incredibly attractive because of its pristine beauty, as if it has never been touched by human hands.
In addition to the famous beaches in Quan Lan, you can also visit some other tourist attractions here such as:
Quan Lan Temple
Located in the heart of Quan Lan commune, this is the most imposing and impressive architectural structure on the island. It serves as the cultural hub of the island's community and is a place of worship for Thanh Hoang and other village founders.
Quan Lan Temple serves as the cultural and worship center for the island's community
Ngoc Vung Island
The picturesque beauty of Ngoc Vung Island
Emerging as a trendy destination for young people lately due to its untouched beauty. The eastern part of the island boasts a stretch of pristine white sand extending for miles. There's the Dragon Eye hill, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful Coto area.
The dreamy beauty of Ngoc Vung Island (Photo: ST)
Located between Hon Net Island and Phoenix Island. When viewed from above, Ngoc Vung Island resembles a floating scarf with a bright white border drifting gently on the water's surface.
Tran Khanh Du Temple
Legend has it that the temple was rebuilt on the old foundation of Mr. Tran. Inside the temple is a statue of Tran Khanh Du from the Nguyen era along with couplets praising his virtues.
6. Tips for Renting Hotels in Quan Lan
Depending on the time and initial budget, you can choose to bring a tent to camp or learn about renting hotels to maximize savings for your Quan Lan trip. If renting a guesthouse or hotel, it's best to book in advance to avoid price pressure during peak seasons.
Scenic view at Van Hai Green Hotel
Below is a list of some beautiful and fully-equipped hotels on Quan Lan Island, Quang Ninh, with reasonable prices for you to consider:
Minh Chau Resort
Spacious and well-equipped rooms, dining area, very close to Minh Chau beaches. The staff are enthusiastic and attentive, creating a comfortable feeling for tourists. Room rates here range from 550,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND depending on room type and time.
Minh Chau Beach Resort
Other hotels:
7. Dining on Quan Lan Island
Dining services on Quan Lan are not well-developed, so you should make reservations in advance if you don't want to go hungry. Also, it's advisable to bring along some food and water as there is no bottled water available on the island.
When in Quan Lan, you can't miss out on the seafood delicacies
Some famous seafood options in Quan Lan include razor clams, sea squirts, oysters, crabs, and scallops... These are specialties that you must try when you're here.
Grilled treasure worm with scallion oil - a beloved dish in Quan Lan
We hope that the detailed and comprehensive budget travel tips for Quan Lan compiled by vntrip here will help you have a fun and memorable trip.
See also:
- Budget travel tips for Quang Ninh from A to Z
- Complete and detailed travel guide to Van Don
