Is Bach Long Vi Island hard to visit? A practical guide for Vietnamese travelers

The first step in planning a trip to Bach Long Vi Island is finding an organized group with a confirmed boat departure. You cannot simply turn up at the harbor and buy a ticket as you would for Cat Ba or Co To. Vietnamese travelers can join two-day tours, while foreign visitors need a sponsor in Vietnam to apply for a separate permit before a tour is even an option. Once you know which rules apply to you, planning the rest of the journey becomes much easier.

Where is Bach Long Vi Island, and why is it difficult to reach?

Bach Long Vi lies in the middle of the Gulf of Tonkin, approximately 110 km from Hon Dau in Do Son, Hai Phong, and around 70 km from Ha Mai Island in Quang Ninh. It is Vietnam’s most remote offshore island in the Gulf of Tonkin, occupying an important position for fishing activities, maritime security, and national defense.

The island covers approximately 2.33 km² at mean sea level. Its landscape consists mainly of gently sloping hills, with the highest point reaching 61.5 meters.

Bach Long Vi looks tiny on a map. Yet its distance from the mainland means that traveling there takes up a considerable part of a weekend trip.

Bach Long Vi became an island district on December 9, 1992. Since July 1, 2025, it has been administered as Bach Long Vi Special Zone under Hai Phong City, without any subordinate commune or ward-level administrative units.

Unlike islands developed primarily for tourism, Bach Long Vi mainly supports local residents, fishermen, and people working in public services and maritime operations.

There is a fishing harbor, basic guesthouse accommodation, community facilities, and several places of interest. However, you will not find the established network of hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, and tourist services available on more popular islands.

That is why visits are usually arranged through organized groups, with passenger lists submitted in advance and transport coordinated for specific departures.

Can tourists visit Bach Long Vi Island?

Vietnamese travelers only need their ID and a group with a confirmed boat, while foreign visitors have to get a separate permit before planning anything else.

Vietnamese citizens can visit Bach Long Vi

Vietnamese citizens don’t need a permit to visit the island. They only have to carry one of these valid documents:

• A Vietnamese identity card, citizen identity card, or legally recognized electronic identification.
• A valid passport.
• Certain identification documents issued to members of the military or police, as specified by law.

Travelers must present these documents when requested by the Border Guard or another authorized agency. Anyone staying overnight must also complete the required temporary residence registration with the local police.

For organized tours, operators usually request passenger information at least two days before departure, including full name, date of birth, registered permanent address, and identity card number.

This allows the operator to prepare the passenger list and coordinate administrative checks. It is not a separate tourist entry permit that every Vietnamese citizen must personally apply for.

Can foreign tourists visit Bach Long Vi Island?

Foreigners aren’t banned from Bach Long Vi, but a passport and tourist visa won’t get you onto the island on their own.

Bach Long Vi sits outside the tourism, service, and economic zones that are exempt, so foreign visitors need a maritime border area permit. You apply at the immigration office of Hai Phong City Police, or at the provincial police where you live or are staying in Vietnam. On the trip itself you need:

• A valid passport or an accepted passport substitute.
• A valid Vietnamese visa, unless you qualify for a visa exemption.
• Documents relating to your residence in Vietnam.
• The maritime border area permit itself.

When a Vietnamese organization arranges for foreign nationals to enter the area, additional requirements apply. These include obtaining a letter of introduction from the relevant provincial People’s Committee and notifying the local Public Security and Border Guard authorities in writing at least 24 hours beforehand in ordinary cases.

Several tour operators explicitly state that they do not accept foreign nationals. This reflects the limitations of the tours they currently offer, rather than a blanket legal ban on every foreigner entering the island.

To reach Bach Long Vi, foreign visitors need an organization or individual in Vietnam to sponsor their permit application.

Those traveling for official work, research, or an authorized visit need to coordinate with a receiving organization and the relevant authorities before arranging transport.

How do you book a boat to Bach Long Vi?

There is no regular passenger ferry selling individual tickets

Bach Long Vi does not have a daily tourist ferry operating to a fixed public timetable.

For Vietnamese leisure travelers, the usual approach is to register through a tour operator or join an organized group with approved travel arrangements.

Many tour programs advertised for 2026 use the Bach Long vessel, operated by Hai Phong’s Youth Volunteer Force, under a passenger transport arrangement supported by the city.

Photo: Du lịch Alotour

Some operators organize group departures on Saturdays, returning to the mainland on Sundays. These are proposed departure dates for particular trips, not a guarantee that a boat sails every weekend.

Contact a tour company and ask which upcoming departures are still taking bookings. From there, the process generally runs like this:

1. Providing the number of travelers, their ages, and their departure city.
2. Confirming the proposed vessel, meeting point, and overnight accommodation.
3. Submitting personal details for the passenger list.
4. Checking the deposit, refund policy, and arrangements for weather-related postponements.
5. Waiting for departure confirmation before booking non-refundable connecting transport.

Some operators can only provide a more reliable departure confirmation around four or five days before the trip, once operational arrangements and weather forecasts become clearer.

Is the Hoa Phuong Do ferry still operating?

The Hoa Phuong Do public-service vessel was previously an important transport link between Bach Long Vi and the mainland.

It began operating in 2020, carrying passengers and goods while supporting public-service duties on the island.

The vessel stopped operating in July 2024 for repairs and inspection. During that period, the former island district authorities arranged for the twin-hulled Phu Quoc Express 18 high-speed vessel to provide replacement transport.

Hoa Phuong Do is running again and made a trip out to the island right after Tet 2026, but it is still a public-service vessel, not a tourist route selling tickets. On a tour you board whichever boat the operator arranges, so ask for its name when you book.

If an older article tells you to just turn up at the harbor and board Hoa Phuong Do for free, don’t plan your trip around it.

Where do boats to Bach Long Vi depart, and how long is the journey?

The mainland departure port listed in 2026 tour programs is Hoa Dong Port, Thien Huong Ward, Hai Phong, in the former Hoa Dong area of Thuy Nguyen.

The port entered service in 2023 to support transport connections between Hai Phong and Bach Long Vi.

Some programs also mention Ben Binh or Dong Hai 2 Port as meeting points or locations for passenger transfers.

Check where your group gathers and where you actually board, since on some tours they are two different places.

A tour leaving Hanoi in March 2026 ran on roughly this schedule:

Use these times to get a feel for the day; later sailings may run on a different timetable.

The crossing from Hai Phong to Bach Long Vi normally takes around six to seven hours in favorable sea conditions.

Fishing vessels and slower cargo boats may take seven to nine hours.

This is a lengthy crossing for a weekend getaway. You will spend many hours on the water, while your actual time on the island may consist of one afternoon, one night, and part of the following morning.

How much does a trip to Bach Long Vi cost? Are tours available?

Bach Long Vi two-day tour prices in 2026

Two-day tours usually cost around VND 2,500,000 to VND 3,180,000 per person, depending on the operator, departure point, and included services.

For example, a tour departing from Hai Phong costs VND 2,500,000 per person.

A March 2026 tour from Hanoi cost VND 2,980,000 per person, including road transfers between Hanoi and Hai Phong.

Typical group tour packages include:

• Return boat transport under the tour arrangement.
• Meals specified in the itinerary.
• One night of guesthouse accommodation.
• A tour guide and travel insurance.
• Motion sickness medication, drinking water, or onboard medical support, depending on the operator.

Personal expenses, additional drinks, gifts, VAT, and certain road transfers may be excluded.

Check the detailed inclusions, as operators do not always offer identical services.

Can you save money by buying a boat ticket independently?

In early 2025, cargo boats and service vessels were carrying passengers for around VND 400,000 per person each way.

There’s no public passenger fare for this kind of trip in 2026, though.

Arranging independent travel on a cargo vessel raises several practical issues. Departure schedules are unpredictable, passenger facilities may be limited, and transport authorization and overnight accommodation must be organized separately.

For first-time leisure visitors, an organized tour remains the more straightforward option.

Anyone considering independent arrangements needs to contact a transport operator authorized to carry passengers and check the requirements with the relevant local authorities. Simply finding a fishing boat willing to make the crossing is not an appropriate travel plan.

Is Bach Long Vi worth spending around VND 3 million on?

Bach Long Vi suits groups of friends who enjoy less-visited places, youth organizations, and travelers interested in everyday life on Vietnam’s offshore islands.

The money buys you the long sea crossing, a morning around the fishing harbor, and a look at how a small island community lives far from the mainland.

It is a different story for someone hoping for a comfortable resort holiday, stylish accommodation, flexible dining options, and long afternoons at the beach.

For roughly the same budget, more developed islands closer to the mainland offer a much wider choice of tourist facilities.

Where can you stay and eat on Bach Long Vi?

Accommodation is very basic

Bach Long Vi does not have an established selection of commercial hotels, resorts, or tourist homestays comparable to those on Cat Ba.

Organized tour groups commonly stay at a guesthouse operated by the Youth Volunteer Force on the island.

Rooms are equipped with fans rather than air conditioning, and sleeping arrangements may involve sharing a room with several other people, depending on the tour.

These facilities are designed to meet basic accommodation needs, not to provide a resort experience.

Bathrooms, personal amenities, and privacy may be considerably more limited than at a mainland hotel.

Accommodation is normally arranged before the group arrives. Travelers who reach the island without a confirmed place to stay may find that no suitable room is available.

What food is Bach Long Vi known for?

Bach Long Vi is particularly associated with abalone and the rich fishing grounds of the Gulf of Tonkin.

The harbor and sheltered anchorage area are busy with fishing vessels.

During the first nine months of 2026, the port area recorded 1,903 vessel visits, including 1,714 visits by fishing boats.

Photo: Sun Paradise Land

Around the harbor, you may see boats unloading their catches, fishermen moving supplies, and seafood arriving directly from the sea.

Tour meals commonly feature fresh fish, squid, shrimp, sea snails, and other seafood, depending on what is available.

Abalone is the island’s best-known specialty, but it is not necessarily included in a standard tour meal.

Ask the operator about the menu and any extra charges if you particularly want to try it.

There are relatively few restaurants and shops on Bach Long Vi. Their hours and available products depend on local demand and deliveries from the mainland.

Tour groups eat at kitchens or dining facilities arranged by their operators.

What can you do on Bach Long Vi during an overnight stay?

A two-day, one-night itinerary leaves limited time for sightseeing.

The first afternoon is enough for the coastline and a few landmarks close together, and the following morning is for everyday life around the fishing harbor.

First afternoon: the lighthouse, temples, and coastal views

After reaching the island and checking into your accommodation, you can join the group for a visit to Bach Long Vi Lighthouse.

The lighthouse stands on elevated ground and is one of the island’s recognizable landmarks when approaching from the sea.

From areas around the lighthouse where visitors are permitted, you can enjoy broad views of the surrounding water and stretches of rocky coastline.

Access to the lighthouse building or tower itself is subject to permission from the managing authority.

Photo: MIA.vn

Nearby is Lau Phat on Bach Long Hill, a Buddhist structure built in 2012 using ironwood and standing more than seven meters tall.

Bach Long Pagoda is another interesting stop, with floor tiles bearing the names of places and people who contributed to its construction.

Photo: Cổng thông tin huyện Bạch Long Vĩ

Other religious landmarks include the Temple of Tran Hung Dao near the sea and the Whale Temple, which reflects the maritime beliefs of local fishing communities.

While moving around the island, you may also notice flagpoles, wind power infrastructure, and small residential areas.

Tour groups generally travel with a local guide who can identify places where sightseeing and photography are permitted.

Evening: seafood and the fishing harbor after dark

The sheltered fishing harbor is one of the liveliest parts of the island.

During the day, fishing boats arrive and depart while residents transport goods, fishing gear, and supplies.

In the evening, lights appear across the vessels anchored behind the breakwater.

After dinner, some organized groups take part in cultural exchanges with members of the Youth Volunteer Force or enjoy group activities.

A beach campfire may be part of the itinerary, but only when authorized by the organizers and local authorities and when weather conditions allow.

There is also a sandy stretch near the harbor and several attractive rocky coastal areas.

Swimming must be approached cautiously, taking account of waves, currents, tides, and local instructions. The island does not have the developed lifeguard services found on popular tourist beaches.

Second morning: flag ceremony, memorials, and the fishing port

Mornings begin early on Bach Long Vi.

Fishing boats are already active around the sheltered harbor before the tour groups sit down to breakfast.

Some tours include a flag-raising ceremony at the Youth Volunteer Force facilities.

Groups may also visit the Memorial to Fallen Heroes or the island’s martyrs’ cemetery to pay their respects.

Afterward, there may be time to walk around the fishing port, photograph permitted areas, or buy dried seafood and local products when they are available.

The western and northwestern sides of the island contain rocky intertidal areas, coral reefs, and noteworthy marine ecosystems.

These environments need protection. Visitors should not collect marine life, damage coral, or enter restricted conservation areas without authorization.

Photo: ESA / Copernicus Sentinel-2

By late morning, it is time to eat, pack, and board the return boat.

What is the best month to visit Bach Long Vi?

Weather plays a major role in whether a trip to Bach Long Vi can go ahead.

Some tour operators favor March-April and September-October, when certain periods tend to offer more manageable sea conditions.

Still, none of these months guarantees calm water.

Because Bach Long Vi lies in the middle of the gulf, it is directly exposed to changing weather systems over the water.

One example occurred during Typhoon Narra in August 2026.

On August 22, winds around the special zone reached Beaufort Force 8, with gusts reaching Force 9. By August 24, winds reached Force 9 and gusts up to Force 11 at the island.

For this reason, sunny weather in central Hai Phong tells you very little about the conditions along the offshore route.

Wind speeds, wave heights, and marine forecasts are much more important.

Are boat trips to Bach Long Vi frequently canceled?

Departures can be postponed or canceled because of high waves, strong winds, or maritime safety requirements.

Whether a boat sails depends on the wind and waves on the day itself, so any month can bring a delay, especially in typhoon season and during northeast monsoon spells.

Some operators say they will notify guests approximately four or five days before departure when a trip cannot proceed as planned.

Travelers may then be offered a refund or an alternative date, depending on the agreed booking policy.

Weather can also change close to departure.

For anyone traveling from Hanoi or another distant city, a flexible itinerary is valuable. Avoid scheduling an important appointment or an international flight immediately after the planned return time.

What should you pack for the boat journey?

A six- to seven-hour sea crossing can feel very long if you are not accustomed to traveling by boat.

Even on days when the water looks relatively calm, the vessel may roll or pitch as it moves into more exposed areas.

Useful items to bring include:

• Identification: Your valid identity card or passport, matching the details submitted during registration.
• Motion sickness medication: Follow the medication instructions or medical advice, particularly if you have an underlying condition, are pregnant, or take other medicines.
• Cash: Useful for small purchases, snacks, and seafood when electronic payments are inconvenient.
• Personal essentials: A toothbrush, towel, toiletries, spare clothes, a light jacket, and non-slip footwear.
• Phone and charging equipment: A power bank and compatible charging cable.
• Sun protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for walking outdoors.

Viettel is the mobile network with relatively stable coverage across the island.

Coverage from other providers may vary by location. Download important information and save your tour leader’s contact details before leaving the mainland.

Some organized tours also apply age restrictions.

For example, certain operators accept passengers only between 15 and 55 years old because of the crossing and basic accommodation conditions.

These limits are operator policies, not universal legal age restrictions for entering the island.

Families with young children, older travelers, and anyone with cardiovascular conditions, balance disorders, or unstable health should carefully assess whether the journey is suitable.

Access to advanced medical care on a remote island is limited, while medical evacuation to the mainland depends on available transport and sea conditions.

Who should you contact about ferries and entry procedures?

Vietnamese travelers interested in joining an organized group can contact tour operators advertising Bach Long Vi programs to ask about upcoming departures.

Operators that take online bookings include Falcon Travel, ALO Tour, and other travel companies specializing in island trips.

For administrative questions related to the island, the local government’s mainland representative office is a useful starting point.

Bach Long Vi Special Zone People’s Committee

• Mainland representative office: 24 Ho Xuan Huong Street, Hong Bang Ward, Hai Phong City.
• Telephone: +84 225 384 2327.
• Email: ubbachlongvy@haiphong.gov.vn.

This is an administrative contact, not a ferry ticket office or a tour booking service.

Foreign visitors apply for the maritime border area permit at the immigration office of Hai Phong City Police.

Get the permit in hand before you book any transport or accommodation.

For healthy Vietnamese travelers who enjoy remote places and have flexible schedules, an organized two-day trip is the most practical way to experience Bach Long Vi. Those looking for a comfortable beach holiday will probably enjoy a more developed island closer to shore, while foreign visitors need an appropriate permit and a suitable receiving organization before making any travel arrangements.