Halong Bay Beach: 9 Best Beaches in and Near the Bay

Halong Bay is known for limestone islands rather than sand, but there are beaches, and they are not all the same kind of place. A Halong Bay beach can be a city shoreline with hotels behind it, a small bay reached only by cruise boat, or an island shore two hours further out. This guide compares nine of them so travelers can pick the right one for the trip they are actually taking.

Tuan Chau Beach

Tuan Chau is the most developed beach in the Halong Bay Vietnam area. It is located on Tuan Chau Island, beside the main boat harbor, with hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and water sports along the shore.

The island is connected to the mainland by a road, so no boat is needed. That makes it the practical choice for families and for anyone who wants a swim on the same day as a cruise departure.

Ti Top Beach

Ti Top is the Halong Bay beach Vietnam is best known for, a small, curved sandy beach at the foot of Ti Top Island, ringed by limestone cliffs. It is one of two beaches inside the main UNESCO area open for swimming from shore, the other being Soi Sim.

Most itineraries pair the swim with the climb to the summit viewpoint, around 400 steps up. The beach is small, so it fills quickly when several boats arrive together, and early or late in the day is noticeably quieter.

Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chay Beach Halong Bay is the city beach, a long stretch of imported sand along the Ha Long waterfront with hotels, cafes and restaurants directly behind it. No boat, no ticket and no itinerary is needed.

This is the easiest beach near Halong Bay for anyone not booked on a cruise, and the only one on this list with an evening scene. Our guide to Bai Chay covers the area around it.

Soi Sim Beach

Soi Sim is a small bay on Soi Sim Island, close to Ti Top and on the same sightseeing route. Green vegetation runs down to the sand and a short trail climbs to a viewpoint over the surrounding limestone islands.

Swimming is open here, so Soi Sim works as both a swim stop and a short walk. It is quieter than Ti Top because fewer boats include it, which makes it the better choice for anyone who wants the water without the crowd.

Ngoc Vung Beach

Ngoc Vung Island is well outside the cruise routes, and its beach has soft sand, clear water and very few visitors. The island also has a working fishing community and a quiet interior worth walking through.

Getting there takes a speedboat from Ao Tien port in Van Don rather than a cruise transfer, so this is a beach for a trip with spare days in it, not for a day out of Ha Long City.

Quan Lan Beach

Quan Lan is one of the large outer islands in Van Don, facing the open sea rather than the sheltered bay. The beaches are long and sandy, with far less development than the Ha Long City shoreline.

It suits travelers who want two or three days on an island with a bicycle and a swim, and it is reached by speedboat from Ao Tien port, as the old car ferry no longer runs. The wider area is covered in our Bai Tu Long Bay guide.

Minh Chau Beach

Minh Chau is next to Quan Lan on the same island group, and its beach is the one most often named for fine sand and clear water. The pace is slower again, with small guesthouses rather than hotels.

Unlike Ti Top, which is a 60 minute stop on a cruise, Minh Chau is a place to stay overnight. That is the difference worth knowing before choosing between them.

Ban Chan Beach

Ban Chan is a hidden beach on the boundary between Halong and Bai Tu Long, with fine white sand, a gentle slope and water sheltered on three sides. It is a cruise stop rather than an independent destination.

Swimming here has been restricted since 2025 to protect the marine ecosystem. Current programs use the beach for walking on the sand, sunset photography and beach barbecues where the operator is licensed, so check what the itinerary includes.

Tra Co Beach

Tra Co belongs on this list only so you know to skip it. It is in Mong Cai, on the Chinese border in the far northeast of Quang Ninh Province, roughly 180 km from Ha Long City and nowhere near the bay.

The beach itself is long, flat and popular with domestic travelers. It is worth a trip for anyone planning a northeastern Quang Ninh route, but it does not combine with a Halong Bay cruise.

What to bring to the Halong Bay beach

Beach stops on a cruise are short, usually 45 to 60 minutes, and there is nowhere to buy what you forgot. Pack for the boat rather than for a resort.

• Swimwear worn under your clothes: changing space on a cruise boat is limited and the stop is short.
• Quick-dry towel: hotel towels stay wet all day in the humidity.
• Water shoes or sandals with grip: several beaches have rock at the waterline and hot sand above it.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat: there is almost no shade on any of the island beaches.
• Dry bag and waterproof phone pouch: essential if the tour includes kayaking or a small boat ride.
• Reusable water bottle: the bay is a protected area and single-use plastic is discouraged.

When is the best time to go to Halong Bay beaches

April to June and September to October are the two swimming windows. The water is warm enough, the air is not yet at peak humidity, and the sea is usually calm enough that beach stops are not cut from the itinerary.

July and August are hot and are also the storm months, when cruises are canceled at short notice. November to March is comfortable for sightseeing and viewpoints but too cold for most visitors to swim, and the bay is often hazy. Our guide to the best time to visit Halong Bay compares the seasons in full.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach in Halong Bay?

Ti Top, for a first visit. It is open for swimming from shore, it comes with the best viewpoint in the bay, and it is on most cruise itineraries. Soi Sim, on the same route, is the quieter alternative for a swim. For a quiet beach holiday rather than a stop, Minh Chau or Quan Lan are the better answer.

Is there a beach in Halong Bay?

Yes, several. Ti Top and Soi Sim are inside the bay and reached by cruise, Tuan Chau and Bai Chay are on the mainland side and reached by road, and Quan Lan, Minh Chau and Ngoc Vung are outer islands reached by speedboat from Ao Tien port.

Can I swim at Halong Bay beaches?

At most of them. Ti Top and Soi Sim are open for swimming inside the main bay, and Tuan Chau and Bai Chay on the mainland are open as well. Ban Chan has had swimming restricted since 2025, so follow the guide and the posted signs at each stop.

What is the best beach near Halong Bay?

Bai Chay, because it is in Ha Long City itself and needs no boat. Tuan Chau is the next closest and is a better choice for families who want water sports.

How do I get to Ti Top Beach?

Only by boat, as part of a Sightseeing Route 2 cruise. There is no road access and no scheduled public boat. Route 2 also covers Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave and Soi Sim, and the current departures are listed with the Halong Bay cruises.

Can I reach a Halong Bay beach on a day trip from Hanoi?

Yes, but only the accessible ones. Bai Chay and Tuan Chau are around 2.5 to 3 hours by road each way, which leaves a few hours at the coast. Ti Top needs a full day cruise, and the outer islands need an overnight stay. Road options are in our Halong Bay travel guide.

Are Halong Bay beaches free?

The mainland beaches are. Bai Chay and Tuan Chau have no admission charge, though sunbeds and water sports are paid separately. Island beaches inside the bay are covered by the sightseeing route fee, currently 250,000 VND per person for Route 2, and the outer islands need a speedboat ticket.

Is a Vietnam Halong Bay beach worth the trip on its own?

Not by itself. The beaches here are small and the sand is not the reason people come, so a beach stop works best as one part of a cruise or a city stay. Anyone whose main goal is a beach holiday is better served by the outer islands or a different coast. Current departures are at bekatravel.com.

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