Tourists exploring Ha Long Bay often choose Catherine Cruises, which includes a visit to the enchanting Ti Top Island—a must-see stop for nature lovers in Vietnam. Ti Top Beach is famous for its clear blue water, smooth white sand, and stunning scenery, making it one of the highlights of any Ha Long Bay journey. Covering 3.7 hectares, it is one of the smaller islands in the bay but leaves a big impression on visitors.
1. Location of Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island enjoys a prime location for sightseeing. Bo Hon Island and Sung Sot Cave lie ahead, Dam Nam Island is on the right, and Cua Luc Bay is at the back. Ti Top Beach is only 7–8 kilometers from Bai Chay Tourist Area. From above, the island has a steep slope on one side and a gentle incline on the other, with a crescent-shaped beach where pebbles are visible through the clear water. These features make it a favorite stop on Catherine Cruises tours.
2. History and attractions
Formerly known as Nghia Dia or Hong Thap Tu, the island was renamed Ti Top to honor Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who visited in 1962 at the invitation of Uncle Ho. A memorial stone on the island tells its full history. Visitors can enjoy swimming at Ti Top Beach, climb 400 steps to the peak for a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay, or kayak through the surrounding caves. Other activities include hiking, photography, and relaxing on the beach—all offering unforgettable experiences for cruise passengers.
3. How to get to Ti Top Beach
You can reach Ti Top Island via three main means:
By boat: Ti Top Island is a popular stop on Ha Long Bay tours, including routes offered by Catherine Cruises. Tickets for sightseeing boats range from 500,000 to 700,000 VND/hour for private boat rentals and 150,000–250,000 VND/person for solo travelers.
By yacht: For a luxurious experience, tourists may choose a yacht. Prices vary depending on the duration of stay and type of accommodation.
By seaplane: Recently, seaplane trips have become popular, costing around 1.5–2.5 million VND/person. Departing from Tuan Chau Island, seaplanes hover at about 300 meters, offering a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay.
4. Top 5 interesting activities on Ti Top Island
4.1. Swimming at Ti Top Beach
Ti Top Beach, also called Vang Trang Beach, offers soft white sand and clear blue water year-round. While smaller than other beaches in Ha Long Bay, its natural beauty makes it an ideal holiday spot.
4.2. Viewing Ha Long Bay from the peak
Climb 400 steps to the island’s peak and enjoy a breathtaking view of Ha Long Bay from 100 meters above sea level. The changing light throughout the day provides a variety of stunning perspectives.
4.3. Kayaking
Kayaking is a must-do activity on Ti Top. Maneuver a small kayak through the caves to explore hidden parts of the island. The rental price is around 150,000 VND/hour, and balance and paddling skills are essential.
4.4. Hiking and nature photography
Besides climbing to the peak, visitors can hike along the island trails, capturing photos of the landscape and unique rock formations.
4.5. Relaxing and sunbathing on the beach
After activities, tourists can unwind on the beach, enjoying the serene surroundings. Many tour packages offered by Catherine Cruises include free time for relaxation at Ti Top Beach.
5. Some notes for your perfect trip to Ti Top Beach
To make your perfect trip, the information below will be useful to you:
Ti Top Beach is relatively sunny in the summer so sunscreen is necessary for you to not get sunburnt.
You should not forget to take along a portable charger to save your moments with your devices.
There are very few catering services on the island so you should remember to bring snacks with you.
To ensure safety on the way to the peak of Ti Top, you should mind your steps during climbing or descending.
Also, during the peak season, Ha Long Bay welcomes a lot of domestic and international tourists. To avoid running out of accommodation, you should book a hotel room in advance. As the first and only resort in the North of Vietnam to be built entirely on the sea, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long has a system of spacious rooms with large balconies.
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long has the haughty shape of a magnificent castle with the architecture inspired by the Rennes theater in France. The landscape’s resort makes an unforgettable impression with 3 private beaches, green premises, and an outdoor swimming pool of up to 1,200 square meters. Therefore, you can consider choosing this place to stay when visiting Ti Top or other destinations in Ha Long Bay.