48 hours in Quan Lan

Quan Lan is an island located in Bai Tu Long Bay, belonging to Quan Lan and Minh Chau communes, about 40 km from the center of Van Don district. The island has an area of ​​more than 10 km2, with large and small mountain ranges extending into the sea.

With airfares high, a short trip to Quan Lan Island, departing from Hanoi , is a suitable option for travelers from the North. This 48-hour trip to the island is based on the experience of a reporter and advice from travelers Hung Nguyen and Minh Trang from Hanoi, who took the trip in May and June. The cost per person is approximately 2 million VND.

Day 1

Travel to Quan Lan

Tourists traveling from Hanoi can take the Hanoi- Hai Phong expressway by car, then continue on to Van Don district in Quang Ninh province. From there, they can reach Quan Lan Island by speedboat from Ao Tien port in Van Don. Several ferry companies operate this route; tourists should choose new, large, air-conditioned boats. The journey takes approximately one hour. The ticket price is 200,000 VND per person per trip.

Electric vehicles, a means of transportation for tourists on the island.

Upon arriving on the island, for independent travel, tourists should rent a motorbike for 150,000 to 200,000 VND per day, refueling themselves. Electric vehicle services are also available in Minh Chau and Quan Lan.

Rent a room and go to the beach.

Tourists usually arrive at Quan Lan or Minh Chau ports, located on opposite sides of the island, about 12 km apart. Quan Lan has rougher waves, murky water, and more rocks. Minh Chau has a gently sloping beach with white sand. It's most beautiful in the morning. However, Quan Lan is more lively, with a market, pedestrian street, and a concentration of hotels, guesthouses, and homestays.

The average price for a double room ranges from 300,000 VND to 700,000 VND per night. Some suggested options include: Bich Ngoc Hotel, Nam Phong Hotel, Villa Song Chau, Minh Long, Phuong Thao, and Binh Minh.

Watch the sunset and take photos at the "River with White Sand Banks".

This is a popular spot for taking Instagram-worthy photos every afternoon. The "river" is located on the road connecting Quan Lan and Minh Chau, closer to Minh Chau beach. The location is on Google Maps and easily accessible, making it convenient for tourists to find and get to.

"Come here in the afternoon when the sun shines directly down on the river and the sandy shore; the reflected rays create a shimmering scene," Minh Trang advised. There's also a recently discovered reed field nearby that's "very beautiful" for taking photos.

Have dinner at local restaurants.

Quan Lan has a few local restaurants, but they are mostly small, with limited food options and simple preparation. Both Ms. Trang and Mr. Hung commented that the seafood was fresh and delicious, but the cooking methods weren't really to their liking.

Day 2

Enjoy coffee and admire the view at Eo Gió.

After having breakfast at the hotel, tourists travel to Eo Gió.

The destination is located near Cau Temple, Cua Dong, about 5 km south of Quan Lan ferry terminal. If traveling by motorbike, park below and hike for 10-15 minutes to the summit. If you don't want to hike, you can rent an electric vehicle for 100,000 VND per trip up or down. From the summit, you can observe the island from above or look out at the blue sea. If you choose to hike, you should prepare a pair of comfortable flat shoes.

At Eo Gió, there's a cafe with drinks ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 VND. "On a cool day, you can sit here and relax all day, it's very chill," said Ms. Trang. There are also cafes on Minh Châu beach, for those who don't want to travel far.

Driving across the island

The road connecting Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands is lined with rows of green casuarina trees on both sides. Additionally, a 50-meter stretch of mangrove forest at the beginning of Minh Chau beach is a popular spot for tourists to visit and take photos.

We left Quan Lan in the early afternoon and visited Van Don.

Boats from Quan Lan back to Van Don usually depart 3-4 times a day, in the early morning, at noon, and in the early afternoon. Tourists should plan their return time accordingly to avoid missing the boat.

If you've never been to Van Don, after leaving Quan Lan, you should spend some time in the afternoon visiting Cai Bau Pagoda. Located on the road to Bai Dai Beach, the pagoda is secluded on a hillside amidst lush greenery and offers stunning views of Bai Tu Long Bay. The area also includes Bai Tu Long National Park and Ngoc Vung Island.

Alternatives

There aren't many alternatives when visiting Quan Lan. However, tourists can choose a relaxing vacation instead of strenuous activities. Spending two days and one night at a newly opened 5-star resort with a private beach and premium services is one option. The cost is approximately 3.5 to 4 million VND per person.

VN (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/48-gio-o-quan-lan-387832.html