Discover Peaceful Quan Lan Island in Halong Bay

Quan Lan island is one of the outlying islands in Halong bay region. It is truly a great place for those who want to immerse in nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. As it is a less touristy destination, visitors have a chance to peacefully enjoy your vacation. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide to traveling in Quan Lan island.

I. Overview of Quan Lan Island

Quan Lan is a small island located on dreaming Bai Tu Long Bay. Wonderful land with generous nature brings numerous advantages to this beautiful island. It is not only well known for breathtaking natural scenery but also historical and long-standing cultural values.

Covering a total area of almost 11 km2, the island extends from the foot of Van Don mountain range and stretches to Got mountain. Looking from afar, it looks like a bulwark that prevents huge waves and protects the locals on the island.

Visitors coming to the island will surely be fascinated by white sand beaches, blue clear waters and captivating nature. Besides, you also have a chance to enjoy tasty seafood dishes, visit the cultural historical relics and join in plenty of interesting activities.

II. What to Do in Quan Lan Island?

As one of the most beautiful attractions in Halong bay and a shining spot in Quang Ninh, it offers various activities to unwind. 

1. Enjoy the winding route from the Quan Lan Port

The best way to explore the island is by bike or electric cars. A bike is the most ideal choice as it is available for rent in most hotels on the island. With just USD 10, you can easily reach different places on the island. And, don’t miss your chance to enjoy a ride in the transfer route from the port. It will be a wonderful island to admire large fine sand dunes and stretching beaches along the way. 

2. Visit Quan Lan temple

Quan Lan temple is among the top visited attractions in the region. It was built to be dedicated to the founding fathers of the village and Tran Khanh Du. The themes of the building are impressive with colorful images of phoenixes, dragons, flowers, and leaves in different styles.

Coming here, you will have a chance to listen to a part of the island’s history and meet some friendly people. On special occasions, the temple becomes more crowded with locals coming to show their respect to the ancestors and pray for good luck. 

3. Admire beautiful beaches

There are many different white sand beaches along the coast of the island like Son Hao and Minh Chau beaches. These beaches inspire visitors to relax by various activities like swimming, sunbathing, building sand castles, and enjoying fresh seafood.

The beaches have various beauties at different times of the day. Therefore, make sure to bring your camera to get the best photo shoots. Or, you can just simply lay down on the fine sand, listen to the sound of sea waves and let your life anxiety go away.

4. Experience Quan Lan Overnight

Quan Lan at night is awesome with promising things to do like squid fishing and campfire. If you go with your team, this is truly a place to go for a wonderful nightlife experience. Besides, the island itself is a heaven of seafood, so there is no reason not to try delicious seafood dishes made from shrimps, clams, or squids, etc. These dishes will surely not make you disappointed.

III. Accommodations on Quan Lan Island

There are many options for you to choose when mentioning accommodation. From resorts to hotels and hostels, you can easily find one for your vacation. There are 2 main areas to stay in the island: Dong Nam village (the main town of the island) and the beach. Normally, the village is preferred as it is close to local sites and easy to meet friendly local people.

1. Angsana Quan Lan, Ha Long Bay

This upscale resort offers spacious accommodations with king beds, walk-in closets, living and dining areas, and bathtubs with ocean views. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and free bike rentals. It’s an excellent choice for travelers seeking luxury and comfort.

2. Minh Chau Beach Resort

Minh Chau Beach Resort offers more than 55 rooms which are designed with international 3 star standards. Each room is equipped with a bathrobe, air conditioner, desk, hairdresser and internet access. It also features a wide range of services like a bar, a restaurant, laundry service, babysitting, a safe box, etc. Wish to bring every guest a comfortable stay, it provides various entertainment and relaxing services to enjoy here.

3. Mina Café & Stay

Offering air-conditioned accommodations, Mina Café & Stay provides a cozy atmosphere with free private parking and a shared kitchen. It’s ideal for travelers who appreciate a homely environment and the convenience of on-site dining options.

4. White’s House

This guesthouse offers accommodations with a terrace, free private parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi. It’s a budget-friendly option for travelers seeking basic amenities and a convenient location near the beach.

IV. How to Get to Quan Lan Island?

There are several ways to travel from Hanoi to Quan Lan Island. You can make your choice that best suits your preferences. Normally, traveling from Hanoi to Quan Lan Island combines 2 steps: reaching the departure port in Van Don District and then taking a boat to the island. Here’s the useful information you may need for each step:

Step 1: Hanoi to Van Don District

To travel from Hanoi to Van Don District, you have several transportation options:

• Limousine Bus: You can reduce travel time by taking limousine car. It takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours to get to Van Don. The cost is around 350,000 VND per person.
• Public Bus: Another cheaper but longer-time option is public bus. Public buses are available from My Dinh Bus Station in Hanoi to Van Don District. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, and ticket prices range from 130,000 VND to 180,000 VND per person.

Step 2: Van Don District to Quan Lan Island

Previously, travelers would depart from Cai Rong Port. However, from April 2023, Cai Rong Port has been temporarily closed and operations have transferred to Ao Tien Port.

Located in Van Don District, Ao Tien Port is approximately 3 kilometers north of Cai Rong Port. This is a modern port and can operate up to 3 million passengers. From Ao Tien Port, you can take a high-speedboat to Quan Lan Island. The journey typically takes about 1 hour and tickets cost around 200,000 VND per person.

Note about arrival on Quan Lan Island

Quan Lan Island has two main piers:

• Quan Lan Pier: Closer to the island’s center, you can find many hotels, restaurants, and the main beach near this pier. Most travelers choose it because of its convenience.
• Minh Chau Pier: Located on the northeastern end of the island, this area is suitable for those who seeking tranquility with fewer accommodation.

V. Visiting Tips to Quan Lan Island

Let’s check out some insider tips for your trip to Quan Lan island to get a wonderful time here.

• Check the latest information on port operations and boat schedules before your trip, as situations may change.
• Avoid high season and national holidays as it might be too crowded.
• Please check your rental scooter carefully before hiring and fill it with petro.
• For food lovers, don’t miss your chance to enjoy fresh seafood in the local morning market.

Quan Lan island is a wonderful destination for beach getaway with various activities that you don’t want to miss. Hope that this article helps you plan your trip to Quan Lan island better.

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