Located in the country's northeastern sea, Van Don (Vandon) island has been gradually turned into o­ne of the four key economic-tourism areas in the northern border province of Quang Ninh . Its population of 23,000 people belong to the Kinh, San Diu, Dao, Tay, Hoa, Muong and who are living in 20 large and small islands, including the Cai Bau, Quan Lan, Ngoc Vung, Ban Sen...

About 60 km from Bai Chay resort in HaLong city, Van Don island has 600 islets, covering an area of 584 square metre. These islets form firm screens and small bays, facilitating vessels.

Cai Rong (Cairong) Town , the major town of Van Don Island , was o­ne of the first prosperous commercial ports under the Ly and Tran dynasties. In the recent years, Van Don has experienced great changes in its economy. The wharf is lively crowded with ships and fishing boats. Every year, ships catch hundreds of tons of fish, which assures the inhabitant significant revenues and a comfortable life. 

Visitors to Van Don island can see lovely white-sand beaches with clear blue water, the Van mountain at the height of 445 metres o­n Ban Sen islet and the Bai Tu Long national park o­n Ba Mun island. The national park boasts a primeval forest with precious trees like erythrophleum fordii, burrettiodendrom hsienmu, madhuca pasquieri, vatica tonkinensis and podocarpus fleuryi, and wild animals such as wild boars, monkeys, nemorrhides, gibbons, varans, eagles, squirrels and deers.
Unspoiled natural beauty and cultural, historical values are favourable conditions for tourism development in Van Don. Over recent years, changes have been seen with the increasing flow of tourists to Ha Long bay. Together with strength in aquaculture and fishery industries, the tourism industry will help Van Don's economy take off. In the near future, Ngoc Vung, Minh Chau, Quan Lan, Bai Tu Long park and Cai Rong town will form a maritime tourism complex with various kinds of activities such as trekking, relaxing and caves to explore. Tourists are attracted by the green water and white sand, especially at Dai beach in Cai Bau, Ngoc Vung beach, Son Hao, Quan Lan, Minh Chau beach. Tourists can stay in fishing villages and join with local residents activities.
When the bridge linking Cua O­ng to Cai Bau island as well as the project to build an airport and upgrade infrastructure facilities become operational, Van Don is expected to be a new destination for island tourism.

RELATED INFORMATION

• Tours to Van Don 
  • Bai Tu Long Bay 4 days
  • Co To Island 4 days
  • Northeast Loop 6 days