Ti Top Island

Ha Long Bay, declared one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World by UNESCO, is a fairyland frequented by many international tourists to Vietnam. Visitors to Ha Long Bay are not only fascinated by the rocky islands in all shapes and sizes that are as gorgeous as a magnificent picture over the four seasons but they are also delighted by the tranquil atmosphere of Ti Top Island.

Location & weather

Ti Top Island is located in Quang Ninh Province's Ha Long Bay. Ti Top Island has a pleasant year-round climate, so it is suitable for tourism activities at any time. However, there are two "peak" seasons in the year when it welcomes a large number of visitors. The first peak period is domestic travelers’ summer vacation, from June to July, when the hot and sunny weather is ideal for beach activities. The second peak period lasts from December to February of the next year when tourists from Europe and North America have their winter break and flock to tropical countries, including Vietnam. The weather on the island may be slightly chilly and wet in February.

History

Ti Top island features a crescent-moon shaped beach with soft white sand. The island used to be called Red Cross Island or Nghia Dia Island, or Cat Nang island as the sand was cleaned by the tide four times a year. Until November 22, 1962, the island was named after the Russian astronaut Gherman Stepanovich Titov on the occasion he and president Ho Chi Minh visited Halong Bay. This is to mark and honor the friendship between the Soviets and Viet Nam at that time. Since then, the island has been known as Ti Top. 

Transportation - Tours 

There are three ways to approach Ti Top Island, including chartering a boat or going on a shared boat trip with others, taking a cruise, and taking a seaplane.

Chartered boat and shared boat:

The price of a chartered boat ranges from VND 500,000 (USD 20.8) to VND 700,000 (USD 29)/hour/boat. Meanwhile, individual travelers can travel with other travelers, which costs between VND 150,000 (USD 6.25) and VND 250,000 (USD 10.4) per person, excluding tickets for sightseeing and meals.

The shared boat normally waits for a sufficient number of people and operates at regular intervals throughout the day, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Some trustworthy and well-known boats in Halong are Thang Loi and Bien Ngoc.

Alternatively, visitors can purchase tickets for Route 2, which includes Ti Top Island, in Tuan Chau or Ha Long wharf. Ticket prices for Route 2:

• Day trip ticket: VND 290,000 (USD 12.1) per person 
• Ticket for 2 days and 1 night: VND 590,000 (USD 24.6) per person 
• Ticket for 3 days and 2 nights: VND 790,000 (USD 33) per person 

Cruise 

If you want to spend the night in the bay on a cruise, some options include Star Light, Emeraude, Paradise Luxury, Bhaya Classic, Syrena, Calypso, Paloma, V'Spirit, Aclass. A tour costs between VND 2,400,000 and 3,500,000 (USD 100 - USD 145.8) on average. The cruises go far into the bay, and to many notable places such as Sung Sot cave, Luon cave, Ti Top island, Soi Sim island, Trong Mai island, etc.

Seaplanes

Passengers will get the sensation of sitting at a height of 300 meters above the ground and viewing the entire island panorama in the style of a seaplane flight. A 25-minute flight costs VND 1,500,000 - 2,500,000 (USD 62.6 - USD 104) per person, with several flights available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passengers will depart from Tuan Chau wharf and should arrive around 15 to 20 minutes before departure time.

Attractions & activities  

The boats usually stop at Ti Top Island to allow visitors to come ashore and swim or walk up to the viewpoint atop to enjoy the magnificent view of the island from above. Many visitors prefer to climb the 400 stairs to the summit of Ti Top Island to get a bird's-eye view of Halong Bay.

Ti Top Beach offers a bar, a swimsuit rental service, and fresh water shower. The area also offers the option of hiring water motorbikes, parachutes, kayaks, etc. There is also a specific street celebration in Ha Long city towards the end of April and beginning of May known as Carnaval Ha Long, which is ideal for those who enjoy a lively and festive atmosphere.

Nearby places to stay

Wyndham Legend Halong

The 5-star hotel is located on Ho Xuan Huong Street, about 1.5 kilometers from the city, and has 217 luxury rooms with views of Ha Long Bay and the Bai Chay Bridge. Private balconies or windows are available in certain rooms. The Wyndham Halong interior design is contemporary with European neoclassical elements. Diverse utility services include a kid's club, a gym, and a swimming pool. It offers a 24-hour reception desk, free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, limousine shuttle service and laundry, and meeting space.

Halong Boutique Hotel

This is a comfortable 4-star hotel in the centercentre of Ha Long City. A comprehensive selection of amenities and services are available, including a luxury restaurant, free private parking, a bar and shared lounge, family rooms, and a sun terrace. It also offers a 24-hour reception desk, airport shuttles, office services, and complimentary WiFi, as well as a tea/coffee maker.

The Light

The hotel is located in Bai Chay, about 3.5 kilometers from the Halong Bay wharf. It features an open space with a patio and a large garden. A restaurant, shuttle bus services, dry cleaning/laundry service, and baggage storage/storage service are also available at the hotel.

Conclusion

Ti Top Island in particular, and Halong Bay in general, have significant cultural, spiritual, and spiritual values, and are the pride of the Vietnamese people. Visiting Ti Top Island not only allows you to immerse in the crystal clear beach, but also enjoy the panoramic view of the island from the viewpoint atop the island.