Ba Trai Dao Islet (Three Peach Islet) is in Lan Ha Bay, near Cat Ba Island, within Halong City, Quang Ninh Province. It is 22 kilometers in the Southeast part of Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. This islet is a group of three small mountains which, seen from afar, resemble three giant peaches – a fact that accounts for the name “Ba Trai Dao”, which means three peaches in Vietnamese. The average height of three mountains is 23 meters giving the islet a majestic beauty. It boasts three small beautiful sandy beaches (Ba Trai Dao Beach), embracing small islands. 

Ba Trai Dao Islet

There is also a myth behind the unique name of Ba Trai Dao Islet. The residents of Halong Bay tell the old story of how the fairies escaped Heaven and came here for sightseeing and swimming. The youngest fairy, beautiful and virtuous, fell in love with a poor fisherman on Ba Trai Dao Islet. Her deep love empowered her to do something she had never thought of: stealing the eternal peaches from Heaven to give to her lover so that they could live together forever. However, when she was waiting for the fisherman where we see Ba Trai Dao Islet today, the King of Heaven showed up. It turned out that he had known everything about the robbery. The King turned the three peaches into three stone islands and forced the young fairy to return to Heaven. Too desperate and helpless, the young fairy complied. Therefore, the locals named the islet “Ba Trai Dao” Islet (Three Peach Islet).

The sandy beach at Ba Trai Dao

Engulfed by tides rising most of the day, Ba Trai Dao Islet only reveals its beaches for 2 – 3 hours each day. The beaches are beautiful with white sand and crystal blue water, where on sunny days, visitors can see through to the bottom. Compared to other beaches on Halong Bay, Ba Trai Dao Beach is shallower, and the water is knee-deep in most places. Shaped like a bow embracing the islet, the surrounding peaks create a stone shelter for the beach and add its stunning beauty with its abundant green vegetation and vibrant wildflowers. The combination of the mountains, the white sand and the ocean gives this spot an unprecedented stunning landscape.

Ba Trai Dao is becoming one of the best-loved destinations for those looking for a serene and primitive stopover, a place to explore the wilderness with many exciting and relaxing activities such as kayaking, swimming, or just sunbathing on the beach.

Viet Hai is located approximately 18 kilometers from Cat Ba Island, on an island in the vast sea and bordered by the high mountains and jungle of Cat Ba National Park. Thanks to the pristine natural landscapes and the friendly locals, the ecological community in Viet Hai attracted more and more tourists, both domestic and international. Once setting foot here, visitors feel the tranquil atmosphere, feast their eyes on the appealing scenery, and make friends with the local people, forming unforgettable beautiful memories. 

Viet Hai village is in the jungle of Cat Ba Island

Visitors can reach Viet Hai village by trekking about 8 kilometers (5 miles) or via a 45-minute boat ride from Beo pier in Cat Ba Town. The walking trekking approach allows you to pass by the lovely Ao Ech (Frog Lagoon), while the boat trip is another chance for you to enjoy the Lan Ha Bay scenery with hundreds of islets, sandy beaches, floating houses on the way. 

Tourists cycling to Viet Hai Village

Just a few years ago, this village was secluded from the outside world. The village has around 80 households maintaining their independent lifestyle, as did the ancient human’s thousands of years ago. The locals here are always friendly with their neighbors and are very honest. There is no need for locked doors since theft does not occur, and residents are always willing to help each other if there is a need. A visit to Viet Hai will highlight your trip and help you relax and forget all of the hustle and bustle of daily urban life.

You will visit this unique village once getting on 3 day 2 night cruise on Capella. 

Visitors to Halong Bay often hear about famous caves such as Sung Sot (Surprise Cave), Luon (Tunnel Cave), and Thien Cung (Heaven Palace Cave), which are very beautiful but quite crowded with tourists in recent times. But suppose you go further, to a more quiet area (for example, just 2 kilometers from the Surprise Cave).

In that case, you will find two extraordinary caves where limestone mountains meet the sea to create a unique combination of nature: Bright and Dark Caves. This area lies on the border of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, near Cat Ba National Park. Formed by an enclosed group of islets, these caves connect with the sea via a 4-meter-wide, 100-meter-long, and 3-meter-high mouth.

Visit the Bright cave is one of the excited experiences when cruising Lan Ha Bay 

Although not as famous as Halong Bay, and with perhaps fewer specially shaped rock formations, Lan Ha Bay, with its Dark & Bright Cave, earns its place as a particular piece of the World Heritage site which it is part of. We think it is undoubtedly one of the best places for kayaking, swimming or photography. Cruising to Bright part of the cave, you will see an angled passageway opening the cave at water level. Inside the lovely passage is a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and steep stone cliffs, reminiscent of a stadium surrounded by a high platform.

Bamboo boat to Bright cave (Source: Flickr)

Going around the lake, you might imagine being in a colorful garden with the Benjamin fig trees and various sweet-scented orchids spreading their blooms, close enough to touch. Not being surrounded by islets like Bright Cave, Dark Cave is long and dark, like a tunnel.

Because it is very dark inside (hence its name), anyone going through it needs a torch to light the way. Unlike Bright Cave, which is always available for visiting, Dark Cave can be engulfed by the tide when the moon is high, so it is not usually listed in cruise itineraries.