48 hours of slow living on Cai Chien Island

Cai Chien Island is a natural destination perfect for "slow-paced" travel , relaxation, and enjoying the fresh air.

Cai Chien Island belongs to Hai Ha district, located about 60 km northeast of Van Don district. The island currently has electricity and internet access but remains relatively unspoiled. While lacking recreational activities, Cai Chien is an ideal place to relax amidst the fresh air of the forest and sea.

This is a tip for a two-day trip to Cai Chien Island, shared by Ms. Thu Ha from Hanoi , after her trip during the recent April 30th holiday.

Day 1

If you are in Hanoi, to save time you should depart the afternoon before, spend the night in Ha Long City or Van Don, and then travel for about 1-2 hours the next morning to Ghenh Vo port to buy tickets to the island.

Travel to the island

If traveling in a large group, tourists should book a private speedboat. A round-trip speedboat costs three million dong for about 20 people. If traveling in a small group or individually, tourists can wait to share a speedboat, costing between 100,000 and 200,000 dong per person per trip. The speedboat ride to the island takes about 15 minutes.

Visitors can also take a ferry, with tickets costing from 30,000 VND per person; however, the journey takes longer, from 30 to 40 minutes. Motorbikes and 4-seater cars can be transported to the island via ferry.

On Cai Chien Island, the main modes of transportation are electric vehicles, convenient for large groups, or motorbikes and bicycles for smaller groups.

Rent homestays on the island.

48 hours of slow living on Cai Chien Island — **A homestay near the beach.** Photo: Hoan Cai Chien

Currently, there are no hotels on the island; most accommodations are homestays and guesthouses built by locals for business purposes. Double rooms cost between 700,000 and 1,500,000 VND per night.

Some accommodation options include: Phi Vung Homestay, Hong Ha Homestay, Bao Phong Guesthouse, and the beachfront container housing area. There is also a newly built resort called Dau Rong, which has already opened to guests but is not yet fully completed. Alternatively, visitors can choose to sleep in tents.

Visit Khe Dau Lake

Khe Dau Lake serves as a freshwater reservoir for the island's inhabitants. The lake is large, with clear blue water, surrounded by shady trees. Khe Dau is also a beautiful spot for photography if visitors don't mind the heat. It's best to visit at sunset to admire the beautiful sunset.

Eat and drink

Guests can bring their own food and cook their own meals, or hire the host to cook for them (service fee applies). They can also order meals at the homestay, agreeing on prices beforehand, for lunch and dinner.

"The seafood here is fresh and delicious because the fishermen catch it daily. You should contact the owner or the fishing boats to place your order," Ms. Ha said.

The seafood mainly includes shrimp, squid, mantis shrimp, and clams, a characteristic seafood of Quang Ninh , prepared into clam soup, clam porridge, clam eggs, which are refreshing and good for health. Sea worm salad, dipped in lime juice and wrapped in sea mui leaves, and dipped in soy sauce and mustard, is also a must-try. "The sea worms are crunchy and sweet, combined with the fragrant mui leaves and the spicy kick of mustard," Ms. Ha said.

Additionally, there are bearded chickens, a type of free-range chicken that eats grains, resulting in firm, sweet, and flavorful meat.

Experience squid fishing.

To participate in squid fishing, tourists must contact fishermen or tour guides in advance, and rent a boat to go out to sea in the late afternoon or evening. The squid caught should be steamed and eaten on the spot to appreciate its freshness and sweetness.

Day 2

Live slowly and watch the sunrise.

Cai Chien Island is still relatively unspoiled, lacking entertainment facilities and boasting primarily natural beauty. Visitors can wake up early, sit by the beach, take a leisurely stroll, watch the sunrise, and enjoy breakfast right on the sand.

Cai Chien boasts many long stretches of fine sand, and approximately 500 hectares of primary forest, providing a habitat for numerous species of birds and wild animals.

Visit the beaches

The island has two popular beaches, Van Ca and Dau Rong, along with several other smaller beaches.

Dragon's Head Beach is the most beautiful beach on the island, with a long stretch of sand and clear, yet deeper, water compared to other beaches in the area. The beach is surrounded by rows of casuarina trees providing shade. There are changing rooms and showers for swimmers, as well as food and beverage services.

Van Ca Beach is pristine and lacks the services and amenities found at Dau Rong. Visitors must bring their own swimming equipment. It's also an ideal spot for taking photos at sunrise or sunset.

Note: The ideal time to visit Cai Chien is during the summer. Tourists should book accommodations and services early to ensure they have a place to stay, as there aren't many options on the island yet. Some homestays are already fully booked on summer weekends in 2025.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/48-gio-song-cham-o-dao-cai-chien-160661.html