Quan Lan Island is situated at Bai Tu Long Bay and closed to Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province. It has an area of more than 11 km2, stretching from Van Don mountain to Mount Got creating the wall firmly shield the waves to protect the inhabitants of the island. Situated on an important sea route from Vietnam to China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines, Quan Lan Island once housed a bustling commercial port. Today, the island is known for its long paradise beaches and its almost virginal appearance so don’t miss this island in your Vietnam vacation.
Best Things to Do & See in Quan Lan Island
Quan Lan Wind Waist
What urges tourists to get up early in Quan Lan Island? The answer is absolutely the amazing wind waist where you can enjoy the beauty of sky and sea. In the morning, climb up the peak of Quan Land waist wind, take a deep breath with the fresh air of a new day, use your both hands to grab all cool breezes from the ocean and let your face receive the first clear sunlight of the new dawn. Make your five senses immerse in wonderful moments on Quan Lan Island.
Quan Lan Beaches
Quan Lan Island attracts tourists with beautiful beaches, fresh air, cool blue sea, and extremely tranquil atmosphere.
Quan Lan Beach
The main beach on Quan Lan island is one of the beautiful beaches which still preserve the pristine white sand and waves. It attracts many tourists who love the gentle and peaceful place to play and go camping. Like a fairy fell asleep in the world, Quan Lan beach has a dreamlike beauty. Fresh air and pleasant atmosphere will bring you comfortable moments for the weekend holidays.
Minh Chau Beach
Beside Quan Lan Beach, Minh Chau is also the favorite place of many tourists to Quan Lan by white sand and clear water. The sand here is very special, smooth and stretched like white silk. Coming to Minh Chau beach, you can organize many activities on the beach and explore the world of marine animals. There are forests near the beach that are extremely suitable for those who are interested in exploring.
Son Hao Beach
The beach attracts tourists thanks to its extremely beautiful views and romantic sceneries of white sand and blue-jaded water, an ideal place to join in water-based sports as well as activities.
Quan Lan Communal House
Located in the center of Quan Lan commune, Quan Lan communal house is the most impressive architecture on the island. This is where the cultural activities of the island community are held, as well as the place of worshipping the tutelary god and the people who built the village.
Ngoc Vung Island
Ngoc Vung Island is an emerging destination with young people recently by its pristine beauty. East of the island is a pure white sand stretching to kilometers. On the island, there is Dragon Eye, from here you can admire the beautiful Co To Island.
Tran Khanh Du Shrine
Tran Khanh Du shrine was erected on his former residence. In the shrine, there is a statue of Tran Khanh Du from the Nguyen Dynasty with the horizontal lacquered board to praise merit.
Quan Lan Travel Guides
Best Time to Visit Quan Lan Island
Best periods to enjoy the beautiful Quan Lan Island are from April to June and from the end of September to mid-November because this is a convenient time with mild climate for you to enjoy the fun and relaxation here. On the other hand, you should not go to Quan Lan in July and August because this is the time of raining, which will affect your trip negatively.
How to Get to Quan Lan Island
From Ha Noi Capital to Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province
Van Don is about 210km away from Hanoi, so it is easy for you to plan a trip to Quang Ninh as an additional destination in your Hanoi tours. You can choose to go by bus or coach from My Dinh bus station or Luong Yen bus station to Cua Ong bus station (but remember to get off at Van Don T-junction). Average travel time by this means of transport is about 5 hours. From Van Don, you can take a bus or taxi to Cai Rong port.
Besides, if you are a fan of traveling and want to experience new sensations, you can rent a motorbike in Hanoi and follow the route from Hanoi to Halong: from Hanoi, you can go on the Route 5 to Sai Dong crossroads, and travel to Bac Ninh. Then, from Bac Ninh, you go on Highway 18 through Pha Lai, Chi Linh, Dong Trieu, Uong Bi, Halong and then go on a boat to the island. The total route is about 155km.
From Cai Rong Port to Quan Lan Island
You can buy high-speed boat tickets to Quan Lan Island at Cai Rong Port.
Time: 45 – 50 minutes
Ticket price: VND 100,000/person
Boat time from Van Don – Quan Lan: 8:15 a.m, 3:15 p.m
Boat time from Quan Lan – Van Don: 7:15 a.m, 2:15 p.m
Note:
- In addition to the fixed boat hours, the increased fare is VND 120,000/ person/trip.
- There is also wooden boats with 1 or 2 trips at 7 a.m and 11 a.m. Tickets are around VND 60,000/ person.
- Fares and boat time may vary according to season and weather.
- If you go on the weekend, you should arrive early before 30 – 60 minutes because on these days, Quan Lan island is very crowded.
Transportation on Quan Lan Island
The main means of transportation for visitors on the island is the tuk-tuk. Each tuk-tuk ride is for about 8-10 people. The normal price is about VND 100,000/ride. You can also rent a tuk-tuk for a two-or-three day trip at around VND 500,000. Alternatively, you can hire a motorbike or travel by taxi to reach the island. However, the prices of motorbikes here are twice as expensive as mainland due to the higher cost of petroleum.
Quan Lan Food
Foodservice in Quan Lan has not been developed, so you should book ahead if you do not want to be hungry. In addition, bring ready-to-eat food as well as fresh water because there is no fresh water on the island.
Some of the famous seafood in Quan Lan are earthworms sa sung, oyster, clam, crab, and shrimp… are specialties that you can not ignore when coming here.
Quan Lan Accommodation
Depending on the time as well as the initial budget, you can choose to bring the camp or rent a hotel to save up to the cost of your travel. If you book a room on the island, you had better reserve in advance to avoid additional prices due to peak season. The room prices vary from VND 400,000 – VND 1,500,000 depending on room type and time.
