Escape to Quan Lạn Island: A 2-Day Getaway for Just 2.5 Million VND!
Dreaming of a Northern Vietnam island escape? Picture this: stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and sun-kissed shores, all without breaking the bank. Quan Lạn Island is calling your name!
Here's a detailed itinerary to help you plan your perfect island adventure:
1️⃣ Getting There:
- Hanoi to Ao Tiên Port (Vân Đồn): Consider Vân Đồn Xanh bus for a quick and reliable ride. Booking online is super convenient (around 560k VND round trip).
- Ao Tiên Port (Vân Đồn) to Quan Lạn:
- Grab a speedboat ticket at the port (about 400k VND round trip). Plus, there's a 50k VND port fee (one-time payment). Boats depart at 7 AM and 10 AM.
- Electric car transfer to and from the port costs around 60k VND per person.
- Getting Around the Island: Your homestay can hook you up with a motorbike rental. Expect to pay around 100k VND, including gas. Pro Tip: Give your bike a thorough check before heading out.
2️⃣ Where to Stay:
Room rates on Quan Lạn typically range from 600-800k VND per night. Split between a group of four, you're looking at around 200k VND per person per night. Don't forget to ask if your homestay offers complimentary electric car pick-up from the port!
3️⃣ Food & Drink:
Since this is a short trip, we mainly indulged in seafood for our main meals and kept the other meals simple. Total food cost came to about 700k VND per person.
4️⃣ Detailed Itinerary:
❗Day 1:
- Travel from Hanoi -> Ao Tiên Port (Vân Đồn) -> Quan Lạn Island
- Check in to your homestay and grab lunch
- Infinity Hill: A charming café with panoramic views of the island – where blue seas meet white sand under sunny skies. The menu is limited to 4-5 items, priced around 40-50k VND.
- Robinson Beach: A picturesque rocky beach. The waves can be strong, and the road leading there is a bit rough.
- Coastal Road Photo Stop: Some sections of the island's coastal road resemble coastal roads elsewhere. Be mindful of traffic when snapping photos.
- Minh Châu Beach: Pristine waters, a long sandy shore – this beach is highly recommended!
- Dinner
- Evening stroll on the walking street. If time permits, consider a nighttime sand worm catching experience!
❗Day 2:
- Sunrise on the beach
- Breakfast at the homestay
- Eo Gió Quan Lạn: Take a xe om (motorbike taxi) for 60k VND to reach the top, or walk (it's quite a distance, so not recommended).
- Check out of your homestay
- Travel back to Ao Tiên Port (Vân Đồn) -> Hanoi
5️⃣ Budget Breakdown (for a group of 4):
- Transportation: 1,170k VND per person
- Accommodation: 200k VND per person
- Food: 700k VND per person (including 2 seafood meals)
- Snacks, float rentals, showers: 250k VND per person
- Total: Approximately 2,470k VND per person (Budget between 2-3 million VND depending on your spending habits)
Close to Hanoi, affordable, and beautiful – Quan Lạn is definitely worth a visit. Save this itinerary and plan your weekend getaway now!
