10 Tourist Destinations in Quan Lan Island, Vietnam

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If you are looking for a peaceful, pristine but still vibrant destination for your next vacation, Quan Lan Island (in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province) will definitely be the ideal choice. Not as noisy and bustling as many other famous beaches, Quan Lan possesses the pristine beauty of blue sea, white sand, along with cultural and historical attractions imbued with identity. Let’s join Smile Travel to discover the top Quan Lan tourist destinations that cannot be missed on your journey to explore this beautiful island!

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Top 10 places to visit and have fun on Quan Lan Island

1.Quan Lan Beach

Located near the center of the island, this beach stands out with its fine white sand and clear blue water, very suitable for swimming, camping and organizing team building activities.

2. Son Hao Beach

Located between Quan Lan beach and Minh Chau beach, Son Hao beach has a wide sandy beach and clear blue water, attracting many tourists to visit and swim.

3. Minh Chau Beach

Famous for its velvety white sand and crystal clear water, Minh Chau beach is an ideal Quan Lan tourist destination for those who love tranquility and relaxation.

4. Eo Gio

A famous check-in spot with pristine natural scenery, Got Beach and Eo Gio offer a unique experience with waves lapping the shore and cool breeze. This is also a Quan Lan Island tourist destination that you must visit during your trip.

If you need support in planning a detailed itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night Quan Lan tour, combining relaxation, sightseeing and team building, please contact Smile Travel – a reputable travel company specializing in organizing Northern tours and island tours upon request .

5. Quan Lan Communal House

Quan Lan Communal House is a famous cultural tourist destination on Quan Lan Island. The ancient communal house was built during the Le Dynasty, is a place to worship the village’s tutelary god and marks many important historical events of the locality.

6. Tran Khanh Du Temple

Built to commemorate the contributions of General Tran Khanh Du in the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol army, the temple is a spiritual destination that attracts tourists.

7. The river with white sand banks

Perhaps not many people know about this river, but it is a very interesting tourist destination on Quan Lan Island. Located between Quan Lan commune and Minh Chau commune, this river stands out with two banks of fine white sand, creating a poetic scene and an ideal check-in point for tourists.

8. European lawn

A large area with lush green grass, giving the feeling of being in Europe, is an ideal place for picnics and taking photos.

9. Infinity Hill

Brand new and super hot check-in location in Quan Lan . Where you can create beautiful pictures, or sip a cup of coffee while admiring the beautiful Quan Lan island.

10. Quan Lan Central Market

Where you can explore the daily life of local people, enjoy fresh seafood and shop for seafood specialties. This is also the last address on the list of tourist destinations in Quan Lan that you should visit. Hope you will have unforgettable experiences when traveling to Quan Lan island .

6 Quan Lan Cuisine Dishes You Should Try

The cuisine of Quan Lan (Van Don island district, Quang Ninh province) reflects the unique characteristics of the pristine and abundant waters of Bai Tu Long Bay. Like its neighbor Co To, Quan Lan seafood is renowned for its absolute freshness, caught on-site daily, and its rich, natural sweetness from the clean, unspoiled waters.

Here are 6 of Quan Lan’s most famous dishes, along with tips on how to enjoy them so you can fully explore this beautiful island:

1. Quan Lan Sea Worms (A delicacy fit for royalty)

Sea worms (Sipunculus nudus) from the Quan Lan – Minh Chau sandbanks are considered to be of the highest quality and the best in Vietnam . Freshly dug from the sandbanks, sea worms stir-fried with garlic or betel leaves, or used in soups, have a subtly sweet flavor. Dried sea worms , after being grilled, make a chewy, crunchy, and sweet snack that is incredibly appealing, or they can be added to pho broth to create a unique, delicate, and deeply sweet flavor .

2. Sea urchins from Quan Lan Island

Sea urchins are a type of seafood that clings to the pristine rocky reefs surrounding the island. Quan Lan sea urchins are meaty and very fatty. Tourists can eat them raw fillets with lime and mustard to fully appreciate the salty, rich taste of the sea, or try grilled sea urchin with scallions and quail eggs, a fragrant dish cooked over charcoal. Sea urchin porridge is also a nutritious and refreshing late-night snack.

3. Crabs and sea crabs from Son Hao

Thanks to the unique ocean currents, crabs and sea crabs caught in the Son Hao beach area have hard shells, firm, sweet meat, and are almost never mushy. Steamed green sea crabs with lemongrass and beer is the simplest way to prepare them, yet it highlights their freshness and deliciousness. Dipping them in a spicy chili-lemon salt mixture is incredibly appetizing.

4. Potato porridge soup with dried shrimp / Seafood

This is a unique, rustic dish found only on Quan Lan Island . Locals use a type of sweet potato (a special variety grown on the island’s sandy soil), diced and cooked with dried shrimp, small sea worms, or shredded dried squid. The soup, when cooked, has a light, smooth consistency, a rich, sweet flavor, and a subtle, sweet aroma of seafood. It’s often served at family meals on the island to cool down .

5. Sun-dried squid & Night-caught squid

At night on Quan Lan Island, there’s the opportunity to experience squid fishing with local fishermen. Freshly caught squid, still shimmering, are steamed with ginger and scallions for a delicious, savory dish. The squid, sun-dried under the strong island sun, is then grilled to perfection – thick, chewy, and sweet, served with the classic chili sauce, an essential accompaniment to any beach party.

6. Grilled /Steamed jumping snails and razor clams with lemongrass.

The island boasts an incredibly diverse array of sea snails, but the most famous and popular are the jumping snail and the razor clam . Steamed jumping snails with lemongrass and chili, served with ginger fish sauce, have a crunchy, chewy texture. Razor clams stir-fried with garlic or water spinach are incredibly flavorful and aromatic, making them a perfect choice for late-night gatherings .

Survival travel tips for food lovers in Quan Lan

Booking meals in advance at your Homestay/Hotel: Unlike Co To or Cat Ba, which have numerous restaurants, Quan Lan is still quite unspoiled, and there aren’t many independent restaurants. During peak season, you absolutely must book meals in advance (set meals costing from 150,000 – 250,000 VND/person) at your homestay/resort so they can proactively go to the market early to prepare the freshest seafood, avoiding long queues at restaurants or running out of food late at night.
Buying seafood as souvenirs: You can wake up at 5:00 AM and visit the central market of Quan Lan island commune to buy sea worms, dried squid, sun-dried fish, or clam paste as gifts. The vendors will pack them in styrofoam boxes with ice to keep them cool and preserve them carefully, so you can safely carry them back to the mainland on the speedboat.

When is the best time to visit Quan Lan?

1. The perfect prime time slot: April – June

This is the perfect time to check in at the pristine strait of Phu Quoc Island:

Typical scenery: Sunny but not overly hot and humid, the seawater at famous beaches such as Minh Chau Beach , Son Hao Beach, or Robinson Beach is so clear that you can see the fine white sand at the bottom. The waves are very gentle this season, speedboats run smoothly, and there are rarely any sea closures.
The ultimate experience: Enjoy a relaxing tuk-tuk ride around the island, check in at the majestic Quan Lan Wind Pass to admire the panoramic ocean view from above, take photos at the river with its white sandy banks, and visit the ancient Quan Lan Temple .
Note: May and June are peak summer months, with a large influx of tourists on weekends. You must book your round-trip speedboat tickets from Ao Tien Port and resort/homestay accommodation at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

2. The storm season requires monitoring the weather: July – August

It’s late summer, the scenery is still beautiful, and the sun is scorching, perfect for swimming, but you need to be aware of the weather conditions:

Note: This is the peak rainy and stormy season in the Gulf of Tonkin . If a tropical depression or typhoon makes landfall, the port authority will prohibit all watercraft from departing . You may face the risk of being stranded on the island or unable to travel to the island from the mainland for 2-3 days.
Survival tip: If you’re planning a trip in July or August, you absolutely must check the weather forecast 3-5 days in advance . If rough seas are predicted, proactively postpone your trip to ensure absolute safety.

3. Peaceful and healing autumn: September – October

If you dislike crowds and want to find a completely quiet space for relaxation, then this is the perfect time:

Characteristics: The weather is cool and pleasant in early autumn, with a romantic breeze, and slightly chilly nights. Quan Lan beach is extremely quiet and peaceful at this time.
Major advantages: Service and accommodation costs are significantly reduced , and there are no more crowds. However, the sea water starts to get colder in October, so prolonged swimming will be somewhat limited.

Winter months to avoid: November – March of the following year

At this time of year, Quan Lan Island is directly affected by the Northeast monsoon. The weather is bitterly cold, with dense fog and slightly rough seas. Most restaurants, entertainment venues, and transportation services on the island are closed for the winter, and the gloomy seascape is unsuitable for leisure tourism.

Suggested super detailed 3-day, 2-night Quan Lan travel itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Ao Tien – Quan Lan Island

06:30: Depart for Ao Tien port
11:00: Lunch in Van Don
12:30: Take the speedboat to Quan Lan Island
14:30: Check in hotel, drop off luggage, rest.
16:00: Go swimming at Quan Lan beach
18:00: Dinner, free time

Day 2: Explore Quan Lan Island

07:00: Visit Eo Gio, admire the scenery of Vo Cuc hill
11:30: Have lunch, go home and rest
16:00: Visit and check in “The river with two white sand banks” and swim at Minh Chau beach
18:30: Dinner, free to explore Quan Lan at night

Day 3: End of 3 days tour of Quan Lan island – return to Ao Tien port

07:00: Visit Quan Lan temple or go shopping at the seafood market
11:30: Check out, have lunch
13:00: Get on the speedboat back to Ao Tien port, temporarily relax on the dreamy Quan Lan island

Above is the schedule of the 3-day, 2-night Quan Lan tour – a group tour for individual guests departing every Friday by Smile Travel . The above schedule is very suitable for groups of friends and small families, helping you easily explore the beautiful scenery of Quan Lan Island, Quang Ninh on weekends without spending too much time preparing or scheduling. The Quan Lan tour carried out by Smile Travel always ensures 3 important criteria: good quality – safety – reasonable price.

Please book a tour via hotline/ zalo/ whatsapp (+84) 346190168

Smile Travel opens a hot summer 2025 island tour package . A collection of beautiful beaches and attractive schedules departing daily and weekly to serve customers in need.

Refer and book tour at the link:

In addition, Smile Travel also provides consulting services, designing private tours according to the requests of groups, companies, student groups, etc. Tours combine discovery activities, experiences, teambuilding, and grand, attractive gala dinners while still ensuring good, reasonable costs for large groups. Contact hotline +84 346190168 immediately for the fastest service .

Contact Smile Travel to book a reputable and quality tour. Hotline +84 346190168

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SMILE TRAVEL CO.,LTD

Hotline/ Whatsapp/Line/Viber: +84 346190168
Email: smiletravelindochina@gmail.com
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10 Tourist Destinations in Quan Lan Island, Vietnam