Lan Ha Bay is situated on an expanse of calm water in the east of Cat Ba Island and share the border with Halong Bay. It's a beautiful bay of the Gulf of Tonkin with many distinctive features.

On the canoe route to Thien Cung - Dau Go Grottoes, one should visit Su Tu Bien or Sea Lion Islet, which is 10 minutes away from the Bai Chay Tourist Wharf. Amidst the vast seawaters of Ha Long, you recognize a high rock jutting from the sea, resembling a lion stretching.

Situated 300 m away from Bài Thơ Mountain and 5 km from the Bãi Cháy Tourist Wharf, a 22-meter islet stands out in Bái Tử Long Bay.

"Soi Sim Island is a small soil island in the southwest of Halong Bay. It's about 12 kilometers far from Bai Chay tourist wharf and about 700 meters from Ti Top Island.

Con Coc Islet (Toad Islet) is situated about 12 kilometers from Bai Chay tourist wharf to the Southeast of Halong Bay. It's about 9 meters high above the sea level.

Some 30-minute boating away from the Con Cóc Islet, on the way to the Ba Trái Ðào (Three Peaches) Island, visitors see a pen bobbing (Bút Islet) in the seawaters.

Ba Mun Island is a schist island belonging to the Minh Chau Commune, Van Ðon District. It stretches out parallel to Quan Lan Island, separated by the Ðoi Gate that runs in a north-east direction.

Kim Quy Grotto or Golden Tortoise Grotto is situated on Dam Nam Islet, with a peak 187 m above sea level. Dam Bac Islet is in the front of the grotto and Soi Sim Islet in the back.The grotto is 100 m long and 5 to 10 m wide, running in a north-south direction.

This makes it ideal for anchoring boats here. Their floating houses look spacious and clean. The well-off families even have tiled roof houses with radios, television sets, tables and chairs, etc.

To get from Hanoi to Halong there are several transportation options. Consider the pros and cons of each option to choose the best transportation option for you.