1. Tourism trends Quan Lan during Tet
1.1. Where is Quan Lan? Location and outstanding features
Quan Lan Island belongs to Van Don special zone, Quang Ninh province, located in Bai Tu Long Bay, about 200 km from Hanoi center. Compared to familiar names like Co To or Ha Long, Quan Lan still retains its quite pristine beauty, less affected by mass tourism.
Quan Lan Island belongs to Van Don special zone, located in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. (Source: Collected)
The special feature that makes Quan Lan attractive is its long beaches with fine white sand, clear blue sea, and a peaceful island village atmosphere. During Tet, when life on the island slows down, Quan Lan offers a very different feeling – not bustling, not noisy, very suitable for a gentle spring trip to recharge after a busy year.
1.2. Why choose Quan Lan for Tet travel?
The first reason many people choose to travel to Quan Lan for Tet is the fresh air and separation from urban life. While the city is filled with the sound of traffic and a packed schedule of Tet greetings, on the island, time seems to slow down, enough for you to truly rest.
The weather in early spring in Quan Lan is usually cool and pleasant, not too cold like mountainous areas, nor too hot. The sea is not too crowded for swimming this season but has a very unique beauty, tranquil and crystal clear. Additionally, traveling to Quan Lan for Tet offers an opportunity to experience island village culture, visit spiritual sites at the beginning of the year, and enjoy fresh seafood – a relaxing and fulfilling way to start the new year.
2. Guide to traveling to Quan Lan for Tet
2.1. Traveling from Hanoi to Quan Lan
From Hanoi, visitors can travel by private car or bus to Ao Tien Port (Van Don). The distance is about 200 km, with an average travel time of 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic conditions.
At Ao Tien Port, visitors continue by high-speed ferry to Quan Lan Island, a journey of about 45–50 minutes. The ferry trip is also an interesting experience, offering views of Bai Tu Long Bay with limestone mountains rising from the water.
During Tet, many Quan Lan tours often depart early in the morning, with stops for breakfast along the way, helping travelers avoid fatigue and ensuring arrival on the island within the day.
2.2. Getting around Quan Lan Island
Upon arriving on the island, getting around between attractions is quite convenient. The most popular means of transport are electric cars, tuk-tuks, or renting motorbikes for those who prefer to be independent.
The roads on Quan Lan Island are relatively clean, flat, and easy to navigate. The fresh air and low traffic make traveling easy, suitable for families with elderly members or young children.
2.3. Notes on Tet ferry schedules
One point to note when traveling to Quan Lan for Tet is that high-speed ferry schedules may change depending on sea weather conditions. On days with strong winds and rough seas, ferries may be delayed or canceled.
Therefore, visitors should proactively contact the ferry terminal or travel agency early to get the accurate schedule, avoiding being caught off guard when planning their time.
3. Notable attractions in Quan Lan
3.1. Quan Lan and Minh Chau beaches
Quan Lan Beach and Minh Chau Beach are considered the two "souls" of island tourism. Each place has its own beauty but shares the common features of fine white sand, long gentle shores, and clear blue sea water. During Tet, when the weather is cool and the air is slightly chilly, these beaches take on a very special tranquil appearance, unlike the hustle and bustle of summer.
Quan Lan and Minh Chau beaches are considered the soul of the island's beach tourism. (Source: Collected)
Quan Lan beach is located near the island's center, convenient for travel, suitable for beach strolls, watching the sunset, or simply sitting and listening to the waves. Meanwhile, Minh Chau beach is famous for its fine, powdery white sand, where your feet barely sink, creating a very pleasant feeling. Visiting Quan Lan during Tet, swimming might not be the main activity, but walking on the long sandy beach, breathing in the salty air, and watching the calm sea is a very worthwhile experience.
3.2. Eo Gio Quan Lan
Eo Gio Quan Lan is one of the most pristine destinations on the island. This is where two rocky mountain ranges embrace the sea, forming a small strait where the sea breeze blows strong and continuously. Therefore, Eo Gio is often chosen as a spot for watching the sunrise or for check-ins by those who love natural beauty that has not been heavily impacted by tourism.
Eo Gio Quan Lan is a prominent destination with wild landscapes and majestic nature. (Source: Collected)
In the early days of the year, standing at Eo Gio Quan Lan, visitors can clearly feel the harmony between heaven, earth, sea, and wind. The early sunlight shines on the water, and waves crashing against the cliffs create a scene that is both powerful and peaceful. This is a very suitable place for those who want to find the true feeling of being 'on an island' when visiting Quan Lan during Tet.
3.3. Doi Vo Cuc
Doi Vo Cuc is a check-in spot loved by many young tourists when visiting Quan Lan. This place impresses with its gently undulating white sand dunes, opening up a wide view of the sea and sky. Standing from Doi Vo Cuc, visitors can gaze into the distance, feeling the vastness of the island space.
Infinite Hill Quan Lạn is a famous check-in spot, attracting many young tourists. (Source: Collected)
During Tet, when the sun is not too harsh and the air is fresh, Infinite Hill becomes an ideal stop for taking photos, sightseeing, or simply sitting for a few minutes to enjoy the tranquility. No need for elaborate poses, just standing between the white sand and blue sea is enough to get very "chill" photos, in the spirit of Quan Lạn tourism during Tet.
3.4. River with white sand banks
One of the most unique and rare landscapes in Quan Lạn is the river with white sand banks. This is a small stream, with clear blue water, gently winding between two long stretches of pure white sand. The combination of water, sand, and sunlight creates a scene that is both novel and poetic.
The river with white sandy banks on both sides creates a unique, rare landscape on Quan Lan island. (Source: Collected)
Traveling to Quan Lan during Tet, this river often possesses a very peaceful beauty, with calm water reflecting the sky and surrounding trees. This is a suitable place to stroll, take photos, or simply sit and admire the scenery, enjoying a feeling of complete separation from the noisy life outside.
3.5. Quan Lan Communal House and Tran Khanh Du Temple
Besides nature, Quan Lan also preserves many historical and cultural values through spiritual structures. Quan Lan Communal House and Tran Khanh Du Temple are two typical destinations, associated with the spiritual life of the islanders and the history of the Northeast sea region.
Quan Lan Communal House and Tran Khanh Du Temple are closely linked to the history and spiritual life of the island's residents. (Source: Collected)
Quan Lan Communal House is where the village's tutelary deities are worshipped, and also an important community space. Tran Khanh Du Temple worships the talented general of the Tran dynasty, who made great contributions to the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong invaders. Traveling to Quan Lan during Tet, visiting these places is not only for sightseeing but also an occasion to pray for peace and luck for a prosperous new year.
3.6. Casuarina forest and white sand dunes
The casuarina forest and white sand dunes on the island offer a completely different space compared to the sea. The cool, towering rows of casuarina trees create natural shade, very suitable for activities like walking, light trekking, or nature photography.
In early spring, the casuarina forest has a gentle beauty, with fresh and quiet air. Combined with the long stretches of white sand dunes, this area offers a very "slow" feeling, very suitable for the spirit of traveling to Quan Lan during Tet – a trip to rest, recharge, and enjoy nature in the gentlest way.
Pine forest and white sand dunes offer a natural space different from islands. (Source: Collected)
If you have extra time during your trip, you can consider extending your itinerary to Sun World Ha Long – an entertainment complex located right in the center of Bai Chay. Here, visitors can experience the Queen Cable Car to admire the panoramic view of the bay from above, stroll on the vibrant Koi bridge, or experience thrills with modern games in Dragon Park. In the evening, Sun World Ha Long becomes even more vibrant with the culinary street and nightlife entertainment activities, very suitable for combining sightseeing and entertainment, making the trip more complete and colorful with experiences.
4. Reference costs for traveling to Quan Lan during Tet
4.1. Package tour prices
Currently, group tours to Quan Lan during Tet with a 3-day, 2-night itinerary usually range from about 2,700,000 to 3,000,000 VND/person. This price is considered quite "affordable" compared to the general level of island tours during holidays, especially when it includes most of the basic costs of the trip.
For families or groups of friends who want privacy, private tours will be a more suitable choice. Private tour prices are usually higher than group tours, depending on the number of people, hotel quality, dining menu, and accompanying services. However, in return, the itinerary is more flexible, suitable for those who want to travel slowly, relax more, or have young children or the elderly accompanying them.
If traveling to Quan Lan during Tet independently, the total cost can fluctuate more flexibly, but usually will not differ too much from the package tour if services are booked early and there is a clear plan.
4.2. Services included in the tour
A typical package tour to Quan Lan during Tet will include round-trip bus tickets from Hanoi to Ao Tien port, high-speed boat tickets to the island and back to the mainland. This is the most important cost component and also helps visitors feel more secure during the peak holiday season.
In addition, the tour also includes electric vehicles or shuttle buses to visit prominent spots on the island, making transportation easier and saving time. Main meals in the itinerary are usually local seafood, combined with breakfast at the hotel or homestay.
A tour guide accompanying the group is also a plus, especially for visitors traveling to Quan Lan for the first time during Tet. They assist in arranging the itinerary, introducing destinations, and handling any arising situations, making the trip smoother. Some tours also include light New Year's experience activities such as visiting communal houses and temples, taking souvenir photos, or group recreational activities.
5. Quan Lan cuisine and specialties
Dried sea worms are a famous specialty of Quan Lan, sought after by many tourists as gifts. (Source: Collected)
When mentioning Quan Lan specialties, dried sea worms are the most well-known name. This is a precious type of seafood, usually dried, used to make broth or stir-fried, possessing a very characteristic natural sweetness. Quan Lan sea worms are highly valued for their thickness, aroma, and sweetness, often bought by tourists as gifts for Tet.
Sea cucumber Quan Lan is a nutritious specialty, often processed into nourishing dishes. (Source: Collected)
Besides that, sea cucumber is also a famous, nutritious specialty, often processed into nutritious braised or stir-fried dishes. Quan Lan sea crab has firm meat, fragrant roe, especially delicious on cold early spring evenings. In addition, blood cockles, needlefish, shrimp, and fresh squid are also common dishes on the daily menus of restaurants on the island.
Traveling to Quan Lan during Tet, enjoying seafood is not just about eating well but also about experiencing island life, where each dish is associated with the daily life and fishing occupation of the local people.
Coastal restaurants in the Minh Chau area and Quan Lan center are popular choices for tourists. The advantages of these places are the spacious atmosphere, proximity to the sea, making it easy to combine dining with sightseeing. Seafood is usually prepared the same day, thus retaining its freshness and natural sweetness.
During Tet, the number of tourists is not as crowded as in summer, so dining is quite comfortable, without long waits. Some restaurants also flexibly adjust their menus according to the needs of groups or families, very suitable for New Year's reunion meals. If you want a more intimate experience, tourists can ask homestay owners or locals for recommendations of familiar eateries with reasonable prices and stable quality.
6. Tips and notes when traveling to Quan Lan during Tet
6.1. Clothing and luggage
The weather in Quan Lan during Tet is usually cool, with early mornings and evenings potentially being chilly, so a light jacket is a necessary item. During the day, when it's sunny, tourists can still stroll along the beach or take photos, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin.
Although it's not peak swimming season, but if you encounter a nice sunny day, bringing swimwear will help you not miss the opportunity to experience the island more fully. In addition, flip-flops or light sports shoes are also very suitable for moving around and sightseeing on the island.
6.2. Weather and transportation
In early spring, the weather in the island area may feature light drizzle or fog in the early morning. This can affect the schedule of high-speed ferries to the island. Therefore, before the trip, tourists should monitor the weather forecast and update information from the pier or travel agency.
When moving around the island, electric cars are a convenient and safe means of transport, especially for families with elderly members. If renting a motorbike, check the brakes, lights carefully, and fill up the gas tank as there are not too many repair points on the island.
6.3. Tips for a complete trip
One of the important tips when traveling to Quan Lan during Tet is to book tours, ferry tickets, and hotels early, 2–4 weeks in advance to ensure suitable accommodation and stable prices. Having cash ready is also very necessary as ATMs and electronic payments are limited on the island.
In addition, Quan Lan is still a relatively pristine island, so tourists should be conscious of environmental hygiene, limit the use of single-use plastic items, and do not litter into the sea. Bring a power bank, personal medication, and a mindset of going slow, enjoying every moment are also "secrets" to make the early spring trip more complete and memorable.
A trip to Quan Lan during Tet is not just a sightseeing journey, but also an opportunity for you to set aside the pressures of the old year, breathe in the fresh sea air, welcome the early spring days in relaxation and peace. If you are looking for a destination that is easy to travel to, reasonably priced, with natural beauty and not overly commercialized, then traveling to Quan Lan during Tet is definitely worth being on the priority list for your early year journey.