Tuan Chau – The gem island

Tuan Chau is an island in Halong Bay, Halong city, Quang Ninh, Vietnam. In 2002, a new tourism area was built in the island. Tuan Chau Island is located in southwestern part of Halong City. It is the only schist and earth island in the world natural heritage of Halong Bay. Tuan Chau is famous for the largest artificial beach in Vietnam.

Tuan Chau Island has a favorable position in both road and waterway transport. The island is located about 2km from National Road No. 18A, an important road connecting the cities in the economic triangle of Hanoi, Haiphong and Quang Ninh. It takes two hours to get to Tuan Chau and 3 hours to come to Tuan Chau from Mong Cai. There is a hydrofoil route from Mong Cai to Halong, the trip takes 2 hours, and another from Haiphong to Mong Cai with one hour journey.

Tuan Chau is a compound word created from “Linh Tuan” (Patrolman) and “Tri Chau” (district chief). During the feudalism, a post was located on the island for soldiers to guard the border area. The post was managed by the district chief. Tuan Chau was famous both Vietnamese and foreign visitors as an indispensable destination.

The island covering about 400 hectares, has gorgeous landscape with a sand bank stretching over 6km and transparent blue water. The weather in the island is cool all year round thanks to the wind from the sea. Tuan Chau Island deserves to be the site for an ideal high-class resort. Tuan Chau Island is very beautiful. Some rooms have beds facing the sea, making visitors find themselves so close to the sea and to the beautiful Halong Bay. The beachfront resort is an ideal place for lovers to enjoy romantic dinners.

Tuan Chau Marina, put into operation since 2009, is where boats to Halong bay gather. In the marina lie the five-star Paradise boats with luxurious designs. There is a system of waiting-hall, restaurant, bar, dancing hall, supermarket and luxurious villa areas on the two sides of the port. The place also comprises two blocks of two-storey houses design by Japanese architects, which look like the houses in Venice, Italy.

Now when thinking about Tuan Chau, visitors will immediately think of the international tourism and recreation area. A tramcar takes us to the recreation area where fairy tales are told, through sophisticated statues of the princess and Aladdin in the Magic Lamp, beautiful Snow White and 7 lovely dwarfs, and the ants in the Brothers Grimm’s story. Everything is so vivid. Their colors are attractive to not only children but also adults. I myself find them really interesting.

Tuan Chau Dolphin and Seal Club building was built simulating sails receiving the wind. Coming to Tuan Chau, visitors cannot ignore exciting performances given by dolphins tamed by professional instructors. Visitors can enjoy dolphins and sea lions’ somersaults and waves, see emotional brown eyes of seals and stroke and dance with gentle dolphins.

Leaving the club with regret, I attend the magic fountain show, the perfect combination of music laser and water. How fabulous! The stage is often chosen for national and international cultural events. The island also has many other works such as Crocodile Performance Club, a system of luxurious hotels, resorts and villas, and an international standard 18-hole golf course.

Evening is time for me to enjoy the romantic and luxurious space of the bedroom. The large balcony looking down on the swimming pool is a private space for you. The fragrant plants and flowers, the tea and the full moon create a poetic space. Don’t just stay in bed or you’ll miss this interesting feeling when you come here. You can live in nature and enjoy the fresh and airy space, which is totally different from the hustle and bustle of the urban life.

I visit Long Tien pagoda in the eastern part of Bai Tho Mountain. The pagoda faces the former Ben Tau street or currently Long Tien Street. The pagoda was built in 1939 and completed in 1942. Its architecture was based on the early Nguyen dynasty’s architectural style. Going through the three-entrance gate and a large yard, you will come to a ceremonial hall. On the hall’s rooftop is a porcelain statue with images of dragons flanking the moon. At the two sides of the hall are two palaces. On the central chamber of the three – entrance gate lie three works “Long, Tho, Tien”. That’s why local people called the pagoda “Long Tien”. The pagoda worships both Buddha and gods. The main palace is where Sakyamuni, Bodhisattva of Mercy and other Buddhas are worshipped.

The right palace is for worshipping Tran Hung Dao and the let palace is for worshipping of Van Huong Mother Goddess. Long Tien pagoda has many parallel sentences. The walls of the main hall are carved with sophisticated patterns. Long Tien pagoda festival lasts till the end of the 2nd month of the year, attracting many visitors. When attending Cua Ong Temple festival, visitors often drop in Long Tien pagoda to pray to “Tran Deity” for good fortune.

From afar, the 106-meter limestone mountain looks like a giant castle with three magnificent towers. The mountain former name was “Truyen Dang”, which means “Illuminating”. The mountain has been a source of inspiration for many poets. In 1648, in his incognito travel to check current situation in the Eastern region, King Le Thanh Tong stayed here. Inspired by the spectacular beauty of Halong, the king wrote a poem and carved it on the rock in the South of the mountain. The name “Bai Tho” of the mount originated from this legend. In 1729, Lord Trinh Cuong composed a poem in parallel with King Le Thanh Tong’s and the poem was carved next to the king’s poem. The mountain was the inspiration for Nguyen Can and some other poets.

Standing on the mountain, visitors will be surprised at the breath-taking beauty of Halong Bay. You will see images of boats afar on the deep blue sea with the rocky mountain, the sky and the surrounding plants and flowers. Bai Tho Mountain is a beautiful spot in Halong Bay. 

Source: VTC10 - NETVIET