For those who are passionate about traveling, explore Quang Ninh is a thing not to be missed on a journey to visit the majestic nature of Vietnam. As a unique coastal province with half of its area being land and half of its area being sea, Quang Ninh will take you to the forest, down to the sea, and to remote islands in the same trip. Let’s join Vietdreamtravel to list everything from places to visit, dishes to try, and ways to travel in Quang Ninh!
When is the best time to explore Quang Ninh?
Due to its large area and varied terrain, the climate varies between regions. Mong Cai – home to the famous Tra Co beach – has a climate characterized by abundant rainfall, an average annual temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, and an average annual rainfall of 2,751 mm.
The bay has lower rainfall, only from 1,700 to 1,800 mm/year, but is famous for fog, especially in winter.
If you travel in spring, Quang Ninh is an ideal choice, with many spiritual tourist destinations. Summer is cool and suitable for vacations on the bay, but this is also the peak tourist season, so service prices may increase. Autumn weather is suitable for trekking and sightseeing. Winter is dry, but you can absolutely consider an off-season vacation on a yacht or ice hunting.
To have a better experience when traveling to each location, you should check the weather forecast before the trip to prepare!
The best beaches and islands in Quang Ninh
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site and a World Heritage site for its geological and geomorphological value. Nature has endowed Ha Long with beautiful scenery and a profound culture, and tourism activities here are very diverse.
The entire bay has nearly 2,000 limestone islands, of which about 900 have been named, with all kinds of shapes. The rocky islands are clustered in some places and dispersed in others, creating a highlight of Ha Long Bay. On some islands, there are interesting cave systems with stalactites for visitors to admire, such as Sung Sot Cave, Trong Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Luon Cave, Dau Go Cave, Kim Quy Cave, and Me Cung Cave.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay is one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, located in the Northeast of Vietnam. Bai Tu Long Bay is a symbol of the perfect beauty that nature has created. The landscape here is wild but enchanting, with towering limestone mountains rising from the sea, creating a majestic natural scene. Bai Tu Long Bay attracts visitors with its towering rocky islands, the sparkling lights of small boats in the distance, and cool breezes.
In particular, the clear blue seawater, along with the fine white-sand beaches, has created a wonderful harmony. Experience an overnight stay on a cruise in the middle of the bay to relax and enjoy the rare beauty.
Not only attracting domestic tourists, but Bai Tu Long Bay is also an attractive destination for international tourists to come here to admire and enjoy the tranquility and purity of the sea and islands.
Co To Island
Co To Island in Van Don, Quang Ninh is considered a paradise island with a wide beach, white sand, and clear and cool seawater. The island attracts tourists with the harmony between nature and surrounding scenery.
When visiting Co To, visitors can walk on the road of love, have a BBQ party on the beach, visit the Uncle Ho monument, or admire Co To lighthouse – one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Vietnam. Couples can rent a bike to ride around town, explore Cau My rock beach, the lighthouse, and enjoy fresh seafood.
Quan Lan Island
If you are looking for a pristine beach to relax, choose Quan Lan Island, where Minh Chau beach is located, with fine white sand and wind. The boat to the island takes more than ten minutes, and you will be in the middle of the ocean waves.
With its pristine natural scenery, fresh air, long white sand beaches, and clear blue sea, Quan Lan Island is truly worthy of its title of “paradise”. There are also many historical and cultural relics here, ideal for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find a more peaceful place.
Ngoc Vung Island
Ngoc Vung Island belongs to Van Don district, Quang Ninh, and is about 45 square kilometers in area. According to legend, this area used to be home to many rare pearl oysters, which lit up the sky at night. Today, pearl farming here is strongly developed.
Ngoc Vung also has Truong Chinh sandbank, the Mac Dynasty Citadel, … In addition, there is a system of rocky islands with beautiful, pristine landscapes, with great potential for developing sea tourism, such as Phuong Hoang Island, Dat Nut, Ha Mai, Van Canh…
There are many ways to get to Ngoc Vung, and it is very convenient to travel. Tourists can go from Cai Rong port (Van Don), from Vung Duc (Cam Pha) or from Hon Gai wharf (Ha Long city). Of which, going from Hon Gai wharf is the most convenient.
Tuan Chau Island
Located at the gateway to the wonders of Ha Long Bay, Tuan Chau Island is a destination for tourists seeking a more complete vacation when visiting Quang Ninh. About 2 km from the mainland, Tuan Chau not only has a large artificial yacht port, but also owns a high-class entertainment ecosystem, such as an 18-hole golf course with the longest golf course in Vietnam.
This destination also has new check-in coordinates, such as King Kong Park, Dragon Park, and an ecological park like a miniature Da Lat…
Bai Dai (Long Beach)
Bai Dai belongs to Van Don Island, about 50 km from the center of Ha Long city. This beach stretches about 2 km, with white sand and clear water. There are resorts with a system of beaches, restaurants, hotels…
There are also many water sports for visitors to enjoy, such as riding a water motorbike, playing beach volleyball, and kayaking.
Tra Co Beach
Tra Co is known as “the most romantic beach in Vietnam” with a coastline stretching over 17 km, from Sa Vi Peak – the starting point of the country, to Ngoc Mountain – the end point of the Tra Co peninsula.
Due to its location far from Mong Cai and industrial zones, the climate here is very cool, and the space is quiet. You can freely play with the waves in the clear blue sea water, or stroll on the smooth white sand.
Historical relics in Quang Ninh
Bach Dang historical relics
Currently, Quang Yen town has excavated three wooden stake sites dating back to the 13th century.
Yen Giang stake site: At the mouth of the Chanh river, a branch of the Bach Dang river, Quang Yen Ward. Discovered in 1953, excavated in 1958, 1969, 1976, 1984, 1988.
Dong Van Muoi stake site: At the mouth of the Rut river, a branch of the Bach Dang river, in Phong Coc Ward. Discovered in 1958, excavated in 2005.
Dong Ma Ngua stake site: At the mouth of the Kenh river, close to the Rut river, in Phong Coc Ward. Discovered in 2009, excavated in 2010.
In addition, visitors can visit Tran Hung Dao Temple, located on the site in the middle of Bach Dang River, the center of the 1288 Bach Dang battle, in Quang Yen Ward.
Quang Ninh Museum
Quang Ninh Museum is located in Ha Long Ward, where artifacts bearing the historical mark of the Quang Ninh mining area are preserved and displayed. Built by the talented hands of a famous Spanish architect, this project was inspired by the image of coal.
The museum is not only a place to display historical heritage but also a unique and beautiful architectural work that leaves visitors in awe.
Van Don commercial port relic
Van Don commercial port includes many ancient wharves and covers an area of 200 km² in Bai Tu Long Bay, in the communes of Thang Loi, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, and Ngoc Vung, Van Don area, Quang Ninh province. In 1149, under the reign of Emperor Ly Anh Tong, Van Don was the first commercial port of Dai Viet. The port operated continuously for nearly 7 centuries (from the mid-12th century to the end of the 18th century).
The port is a system of dozens of ancient wharves distributed across the islands and along the coast of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long, stretching from Mong Cai to Van Don, Ha Long, and Quang Yen. Along with that are a number of cultural and religious relics, including pagodas and towers, in Van Don and the surrounding areas. Specifically, there are the relics of Cong Dong – Cong Tay, Cai Lang wharf, Cong Cai wharf, Con Quy wharf, Cai Rong wharf, Cong Yen wharf, Duong Hac Hon Rau wharf, Gao Rang wharf, Bang wharf, and Dam Gao wharf, and Van Ninh wharf.
Spiritual tourist destination in Quang Ninh
Yen Tu relics
The Yen Tu relic complex is located in Uong Bi, about 130 km from Hanoi. From National Highway 18A to the foot of Yen Tu Mountain (about 10 km), visitors can experience the sacred, calm atmosphere of the Truc Lam school.
From the foot of Yen Tu Mountain, visitors can reach the top of the Dong Pagoda in two ways: climbing or taking a 2-stage cable car. Compared to the cable car, hiking takes more time, covering about 6 km of steep trails, but for many visitors, it is a way to show respect on the journey to worship Buddha at the beginning of the year.
No matter which way you choose, visitors will start from Giai Oan stream, pass Hoa Yen pagoda, Mot Mai pagoda, An Ky Sinh stone statue, and then go up to Dong pagoda – the bronze pagoda at the top of the largest mountain in Asia. Standing on the 1,068 m high peak looking down, the Buddha realm is in sight when the mist is hidden below and above the head, and white clouds drift across the deep blue sky.
Loi Am Pagoda
Although the name is still quite unfamiliar to tourists from all over, to the people of Quang Ninh, Loi Am Pagoda is very famous for its charming, sacred, and ancient scenery. Located in Tuan Chau Ward, the pagoda is accessible by boat for about 15 minutes, after which visitors continue climbing for about half an hour along the gentle slope.
A unique feature of a pilgrimage to Loi Am Pagoda is that visitors are free to carry a pair of red bricks placed at the foot of the hill to make merit toward restoring and rebuilding the pagoda. Although the path is bumpy and rocky, everyone feels light at every step because lush green pine forests and vast pineapple gardens line both sides of the road.
The journey will start at Loi Am Pagoda, located on a large, flat stretch of land, surrounded by lush, quiet trees. Follow the small path on the right side of the pagoda to the Mother Goddess altar, and continue across the hillside to Cau Cave, facing Yen Lap Lake.
Quang Ninh specialties
Ha Long squid roll
Ha Long squid rolls are considered the culinary quintessence of Quang Ninh. This dish is also in the top 50 most special dishes of Vietnam. The best squid rolls must be made from fresh squid and pounded by hand to preserve the natural toughness and sweetness.
Ha Long squid roll is a famous specialty of Ha Long. You can buy them at Hon Gai market, Ha Long night market, or seafood shops in Ha Long. This dish is served with rice rolls or white sticky rice.
Steamed squid with guava
Using guava leaves as an ingredient gives this dish a characteristic astringent taste, with a slight sourness from tamarind juice, making it suitable for eating with rice or dipping in ginger-and-chili fish sauce. Some suggested addresses include Bai Chay tourist area, Dao Garden, Cai Dam market, Ben Doan…
Quang Yen fermented pork roll
Fermented pork roll (Vietnamese: Nem chua) is not a dish available only in Quang Ninh tourism, but the version in Quang Yen (Quang Ninh) has its own unique and unmistakable features. The fermented pork roll is made with pork and pork skin, along with roasted peanuts, green beans, and secret family spices.
The fragrant, sour nem is served with sweet-and-sour sauce, fig leaves, green bananas, herbs, and a little Yen Tu wine for the best flavor. Tourists can easily find and enjoy this dish, Yen, at street food stalls or large stores. It is also very easy to preserve, making it suitable to buy as a gift.
Dong Trieu sand worm omelet
Sand worm omelet (cha ruoi) is considered a gift from heaven, and not many localities receive this precious natural gift. Dong Trieu is one of the few localities in the country that can exploit this type of worm.
The sand worm is processed into many dishes, of which the most outstanding is the sand worm omelet, which is very fatty, fragrant, awakening all the senses.
Fresh and dried seafood
Quang Ninh has more than 200 km of coastline. The tide level here is the highest in the country, so seafood resources are abundant; the variety is wide, and the flavor is much richer than in many other coastal areas.
It is difficult to enjoy all the seafood in Quang Ninh in one trip, so you should save room to enjoy snails, mangrove horseshoe crab, sipunculus nudus… If you want to buy as gifts, visitors can choose dried seafood such as dried squid and dried shrimp for easy storage and transportation.
Resorts, accommodations
Hotels and resorts in Ha Long are very diverse in both segment and price. You can choose freely based on your needs, finances, and schedule.
One experience worth trying is spending the night on Ha Long Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, with highly rated cruise lines such as Paradise, Indochine, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the Seas, Dragon Legend, Bhaya, Emeraude… Prices start at around VND 2,000,000 per person for a 2-day, 1-night tour.
Source: collected by An
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