Bai Tu Long Bay is the name of an area located east of Halong Bay in Vietnam. Although it shares many similar geological characteristics with Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is considered an off-the-beaten-track for tourists, with many deserted and pristine beaches, and no less impressive karst mountains. The bay has a rich biodiversity with two ecosystems: an evergreen rainforest ecosystem and a marine and coastal ecosystem. The region has hardly experienced any tourist development. A large number of visitors, through online research, want to visit Bai Tu Long Bay because it is much less crowded than Halong Bay.

>> Read more: Bai Tu Long Bay, beautiful cousin of Halong

A cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay in 3 days and 2 nights will be ideal for you to discover the beaches, the most remote and deserted fishing villages in the world.

In this article, we will seek to know the sites and the activities which are planned for this famous cruise.

3 Days 2 Nights Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise Itinerary
+ Day 1: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay
+ Day 2: Deep discovery of Bai Tu Long Bay
+ Day 3: Continuation of the cruise and return to Hanoi
Must-sees places included in Bai Tu Long Bay cruise in 3 Days 2 Nights
+ Thay Cave
+ Hon Co Island
+ Tra San – Vung Ha Area
+ Con Dam Area

3 Days-2 Nights Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise Itinerary

Note: Day 1 and day 3 of this cruise coincide successively with days 1 and 2 of the cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay in 2 days and 1 night. So we're going to make a little brief for these two days.

>> Read more: 2 Days 1 Night Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Day 1: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay

You can depart from your hotel by your own mean of transfer or by the boat shuttle (highly recommended). Go to Bai Tu Long Bay by the highway. Arriving at Hon Gai port, boarding the junk, then let’s start the cruise in the famous bay of Bai Tu Long where the famous film "Indochina" was shot. This bay is considered the cousin of Halong Bay, but much less touristy and above all there are still islands, fishing villages, and beaches remaining deserted and very little frequented.

Lunch with seafood on board. Around 3 p.m., disembarkation on Thien Canh SonIsland to visit its cave, the latter is very impressive with its intact stalactites and stalagmites. At the exit, you will have a fantastic panorama of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Then you can kayak between the islands, and the islets and then swim on the beach of Thien Canh Son.

Return to the boat. Having dinner and sleeping overnight on board. Besides, you can angle for squid after dinner.

Day 2: Deep exploring Bai Tu Long Bay

You will leave the big boat to take the day cruise ship. This smaller ship will take you to the most remote, least visited corners of the bay such as Cong Dam, Tra San, Vung Ha and Hon Co Island where you can do different activities: kayaking, visiting a fishing village, swimming on deserted beaches, visiting the Thay cave.

Return to the large boat around 4 p.m. Rest on the terrace while watching the sunset.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 3: Continuation of the cruise and return to Hanoi

Morning: After breakfast, the boat heads towards the famous Vung Vieng fishing village. Visit the village in a woven bamboo sampan. Discover the daily life of the villagers.

Continuing the cruise in the bay towards the pier. Early lunch on board, disembarking around noon.

Back to Hanoi. End of the cruise.

Inclusions: Accommodation, meals, English-speaking guide on board, tour fees, kayak

Exclusions: Beverages, personal expenses

Must-sees places included in Bai Tu Long Bay cruise in 3 days-2 nights

Thay Cave

Thay Cave is located next to the "stone park" in Bai Tu Long Bay. The reason for its name is that it is said that inside the cave there are many book-shaped stalactites, a paintbrush and a small stone that look like a table used for reading.

The door is located right next to the edge of the water, so all you have to do is jump a step from the bow of the canoe to reach the floor of the cave covered in a smooth layer of smooth sand.

Thay Cave is about 3m wide and 150m deep. The deeper you go into the core, the lower the temperature. Each clump of stone-white bamboo shoots grows profusely between the paths, giving visitors the impression of being lost in a forest of stalagmites. In the middle of the cave is a small lake filled with water from the spring at the top of the mountain which flows day and night. The arch of the cave is very wide with many stalactites hanging in all sorts of strange shapes. The light from the cave entrance reflects off the iridescent natural stalactites, along with the murmur of the stream, bringing a mysterious and strangely alluring feeling.

Hon Co Island

Hon Co Island, or Grass Island, is located in the Cong Do Area, one of the most well-known destinations in Bai Tu Long Bay. As the name suggests, the island has a green beauty of thick grass and other types of plants that grow naturally. Compared with other islands in Halong Bay, Hon Co is not a household name for tourists, therefore, the island retains well its pristine and unspoiled beauty. Possessing long white sandy beaches and calm crystal clear water, Hon Co Island is a perfect choice for those who want to escape the crowds and enjoy a series of exciting activities like kayaking, swimming, exploring Co Cave (also known as Thien Canh Son Cave).

Tra San–Vung Ha area

Tra San – Vung Ha has long been known by many fishermen and tourists as a “paradise” in the heart of Ha Long Bay heritage.

Located in the centre of Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site, near Vung Vieng fishing village, about 14.6 km from Ha Long City. Consequently, the landscape, flora and fauna are preserved relatively intact.

With high beaches of rocky islands, Vung Ha opens up a paradise for visitors, a beautiful landscape of rocks and water. Vung Ha consists of a complex of islands and high mountain ranges, stretching and wrapping around, forming numerous lakes or regions. Standing from above, visitors will feel as if they are entering a closed bay, the water surface is calm and green.

Con Dam Area

Located on peaceful Bai Tu Long Bay, Cong Dam Area is known for its majestic natural beauty and poetic of an open-air geological museum. Visitors will feel overwhelmed by the rocky mountains formed from rocks stacked in a straight line and the peaceful space of the bay.

Coming here, tourists also have a great opportunity to visit Cong Dam fishing village - a small old fishing village with a population of about 120 people. Because it is located quite far from the mainland and completely isolated from busy tourist routes, the landscape of the village still retains many features intact and the marine environment is very clean. Besides kayaking on clear blue lagoons such as Cat Oan, Tra Gioi, and Cay Bang, visitors can also join the experience of planting mangroves to protect the marine environment or follow the fishermen to experience the daily life on the floating village.

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