#Quang Ninh

A traditional Vietnamese boat being repaired by workers in a bustling harbor setting with mountains in the background.

Quan Lan Island: Bai Tu Long Bay's Quiet Alternative

Quan Lan sits in Bai Tu Long Bay with long beaches, no tour buses, and a fishing village pace that Cat Ba stopped having years ago.

Jun 24, 20265 min readnorth

A tranquil blue boat floats on the turquoise waters of Phan Thiet, Vietnam, ideal for summer travel.

Destinations

Co To Island: The North's Clearest Water, and How to Actually Get There

Co To is Quang Ninh's remote archipelago with genuinely clear water and a pace of life that Ha Long Bay's cruise circuit never offers. Here's how to reach it from Hanoi.

Jun 17, 20264 min readnorth

Stunning aerial view of floating villages amidst limestone islands in a serene green bay.

Destinations

Yen Tu: The Sacred Mountain Where a King Became a Monk

Yen Tu in Quang Ninh province is Vietnam's most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site — a forested mountain where a 13th-century king renounced his throne and founded a homegrown school of Zen.

May 30, 20264 min readnorth

Tranquil scene of Halong Bay's iconic limestone islands with calm waters, Vietnam.

Destinations

Bai Tu Long Bay: The Quieter Water North of Ha Long

Bai Tu Long Bay sits directly north of Ha Long with the same limestone karsts and a fraction of the cruise traffic — here's how to actually get there and where to stay.

May 29, 20265 min readnorth

Crowded indoor seafood market in Vietnam with local vendors and colorful baskets.

Food & Drink

What People Actually Eat in Ha Long: Cha Muc, Sa Sung, and the Bay's Best Seafood

Ha Long's real food culture goes well beyond tourist buffets — grilled squid patties, dried peanut worms, and live mantis shrimp pulled straight from floating cages.

May 26, 20264 min readnorth

Peaceful view of Ha Long Bay with limestone cliffs in the evening light.

Destinations

Bai Da Mong Rong, Quang Ninh: A Traveler's Guide

Bai Da Mong Rong is a volcanic rock plateau on the Quang Ninh coast where strange dragon-claw formations meet the sea. Here's how to visit.

May 25, 20266 min readnorth

A scenic aerial view of a coastal town with buildings, sea, and green hillside in summer.

Destinations

Bai Tu Long National Park: A Traveler's Guide to Quang Ninh's Quieter Coast

Bai Tu Long National Park sits just northeast of Ha Long Bay with fewer boats, wilder coastline, and actual jungle. Here's how to visit properly.

May 25, 20266 min readnorth

Captivating sunset view at a Vietnamese beach with silhouettes of people and boats.

Destinations

Co To Beach, Quang Ninh: A Traveler's Guide

Co To island has some of the cleanest beaches in northern Vietnam, but getting there takes effort. Here's what you need to know before you go.

May 25, 20266 min readnorth

Ferris wheel at Sun World Ha Long Bay in Vietnam framed by lush trees, capturing a vibrant summer day.

Destinations

Cong Vien Dai Duong Ha Long: A Traveler's Guide to Quang Ninh's Ocean Park

Everything you need to know about Ha Long's ocean park — rides, aquarium, logistics, and whether it's worth a day of your trip.

May 25, 20266 min readnorth

Destinations

Quan Lan Island: Bai Tu Long Bay's Quiet Alternative

Quan Lan sits in Bai Tu Long Bay with long beaches, no tour buses, and a fishing village pace that Cat Ba stopped having years ago.

Jun 24, 20265 min readnorth

Destinations

Co To Island: The North's Clearest Water, and How to Actually Get There

Co To is Quang Ninh's remote archipelago with genuinely clear water and a pace of life that Ha Long Bay's cruise circuit never offers. Here's how to reach it from Hanoi.

Jun 17, 20264 min readnorth

Destinations

Yen Tu: The Sacred Mountain Where a King Became a Monk

Yen Tu in Quang Ninh province is Vietnam's most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site — a forested mountain where a 13th-century king renounced his throne and founded a homegrown school of Zen.

May 30, 20264 min readnorth

Destinations

Bai Tu Long Bay: The Quieter Water North of Ha Long

Bai Tu Long Bay sits directly north of Ha Long with the same limestone karsts and a fraction of the cruise traffic — here's how to actually get there and where to stay.

May 29, 20265 min readnorth

Food & Drink

What People Actually Eat in Ha Long: Cha Muc, Sa Sung, and the Bay's Best Seafood

Ha Long's real food culture goes well beyond tourist buffets — grilled squid patties, dried peanut worms, and live mantis shrimp pulled straight from floating cages.

May 26, 20264 min readnorth

Destinations