Ban Chan Beach: Discover The "Hidden Foot" Of Bai Tu Long Bay

Deep in the northeastern reaches of the UNESCO-protected Bai Tu Long Bay, Ban Chan Beach (literally translated as “Foot Beach”) remains one of the last true coastal sanctuaries in the Ha Long area. In 2026, it is celebrated as the “Anti-Titov” – a pristine arc of pulverized coral sand that offers silence instead of crowds and emerald lagoons instead of tour boat traffic. At Vietnamstory, we recommend this “off-the-beaten-track” gem for Indian travelers who seek the harmony of clouds and water without the typical tourist bustle.

Ban Chan Beach is one of those rare places that feels untouched, peaceful, and almost secret.

Location and the access protocols to Ban Chan Beach

Ban Chan Beach is defined by its beautiful and pristine isolation. Its remote location is the very reason it has been preserved as an untouched and “untouristed” paradise. Getting to this beach is an exclusive journey, reserved for those who venture into the quieter waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

The beach is located deep in Bai Tu Long Bay, which is the beautiful and less-crowded northeast extension of Ha Long Bay. It is approximately 15km from the main harbor.

The most important thing to know is that this beach is strictly accessible only via a 3-day/2-night luxury cruise itinerary. There are no public ferries or land roads that lead here, which is what beautifully preserves its quiet and exclusive status.

To maintain the incredible, Class A water quality of this area, the local authorities have now capped the visitor density to just 100 people at any given time. Most of the short, day-trip boats are completely restricted from this zone, which means you are guaranteed not to see any “commuter-style” crowds. You will feel like you have discovered your own private paradise.

Why Ban Chan Beach is different from other beaches?

To help you understand just how special Ban Chan Beach is, let’s compare it to the other famous beaches in the region. This is why Ban Chan stands in a class of its own.

Feature	Ban Chan Beach (Bai Tu Long)	Titov Beach (Ha Long Bay)	Quan Lan Island
2026 Crowds	Ultra-Low. It is exclusive to a few luxury overnight cruises.	Very High. This is a major daily hub for hundreds of day-trip boats.	Medium. It has more of a local resort feel.
Water clarity	Excellent. You can expect 8-10 meters of visibility.	Lower. The high boat traffic means the visibility is often only 3-5 meters.	Good. The open sea location gives it 5-7 meters of visibility.
Sand quality	A beautiful arc of fine, white, natural coral sand.	Coarse, imported sand.	Long, beautiful stretches of yellow-white sand.
Infrastructure	Primitive & Eco-friendly. There are no buildings, only nature.	Very developed, with cafes, shops, and rental stalls.	Has full island facilities, including hotels and restaurants.

READ MORE: Bai Tu Long National Park: Ha Long Bay’s Serene, Untouched Twin

The 2026 activity menu: A “luxury wilderness” experience

The activities at Ban Chan Beach are all about connecting with the pristine, untouched nature in a fun, active, and luxurious way. This is your chance to play in a “natural swimming pool” and explore a hidden world.

Swimming and snorkeling

The beach is protected on all sides by giant, majestic limestone walls, which means the sea here is a calm and beautiful “natural swimming pool.”

Recent and wonderful conservation efforts have successfully restored the beautiful coral fringes near the cliffs. Snorkeling is at its best during low tide, when these incredible underwater rock gardens are closer to the surface and easier to see.

New 2026 safety regulations require that all swimmers wear life jackets (which must have the 2025 Safety Sticker) when in the water, due to the remote and beautiful location of the beach.

Kayaking and exploring the hidden lagoons

Paddling a kayak is the only and the best way to reach the beautiful, hidden water arches that surround Ban Chan Beach.

Most of the cruise itineraries will offer a beautiful, 3km guided kayaking loop that will take you through a natural stone archway and into a silent, completely enclosed, and magical lagoon. Please note that solo kayaking is now restricted in the bay. For your safety in these deep-water sections, all guests must use 2-person kayaks.

Stargazing and unforgettable beach BBQs

Some of the most premium and luxurious cruises now offer a truly unforgettable experience: a Sunset Beach BBQ right on the sands of Ban Chan. Because there is zero light pollution from the mainland, this is the premier and most spectacular spot in the entire Gulf of Tonkin for stargazing and for taking breathtaking photos of the Milky Way.

Your travel advisory and the importance of sustainability

A little bit of planning will ensure your visit to this pristine paradise is perfect. Here are our final tips for your adventure.

The best time to visit: The best time to visit is during our dry season, from October to May. While the water is still “swimmable” in March (at around 21°C–22°C), the months of October and November offer the clearest blue skies and beautiful, turquoise waters that are a warm 26°C.
The zero-plastic policy: Effective since late 2025, single-use plastics are now strictly banned in the Bai Tu Long Bay area. Your cruise will provide you with a refillable metal water bottle. Please be aware that bringing plastic onto Ban Chan Beach can result in heavy fines for your tour operator.
What to pack: You must bring reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+), a pair of water shoes (which are essential for walking on the beautiful but sometimes sharp, coral-flecked shoreline), and a polarized camera lens to cut through the glare of the water and capture that perfect “cloud-sea harmony.”

READ MORE: The Best Time to Visit Ha Long Bay in 2026

The Vietnamstory signature service for you

At Vietnam Story, we love to curate the Ban Chan Beach experience to perfectly align with the unique travel styles and comfort needs of our Indian guests. We focus on the small details that make a big difference.

The Van Don limousine loop: For our guests who are arriving from Central or South Vietnam, we will arrange a comfortable, private limousine transfer from the new Van Don Airport (VDO). This is only a 1-hour drive to the pier, allowing you to completely skip the long 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi.
Delicious jain and vegetarian picnics: We can coordinate with the cruise chefs to set up a beautiful, private vegetarian snack spread right on the beach for you. You can enjoy delicious Indian-flavored appetizers while the non-vegetarians in your group can try the famous “Ha Long Rock Crab.”
Motion sickness preparation: While the waters in Bai Tu Long are about 30% calmer than in the main bay, we will always provide our guests with the latest 2026-grade, non-drowsy motion sickness tabs for the tender boat transfers, ensuring your complete comfort.

Vietnamstory.in knows that for so many of you, a luxurious overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay is the absolute highlight of your dream trip to Vietnam. But with hundreds of cruise options available, how do you choose the right one? How can you be sure your family will be comfortable and that your dietary needs will be perfectly met? That is where we at Vietnamstory come in. We have personally curated a collection of only the best 5-star luxury Ha Long Bay cruises, ensuring your experience is completely seamless, from the comfortable private pick-up at your Hanoi hotel to your final drop-off. Most importantly, we work only with the cruises that we know and trust to expertly handle special meal requests, whether you need pure vegetarian, authentic Jain, or Halal cuisine. With us, your journey will be filled with beautiful moments – from kayaking through hidden lagoons and relaxing on your private balcony to enjoying a delicious meal as the sun sets over the limestone islands. Don’t leave this once-in-a-lifetime experience to chance. Let us help you find the perfect cruise that will turn your dream into a beautiful and delicious reality.

Conclusion

Ban Chan Beach is the ultimate and most perfect destination for the traveler who is seeking a truly authentic, peaceful, and untouched natural escape. Its beautiful, fine white sand, its crystal-clear emerald waters, and its exclusive, crowd-free status make it the crown jewel of the serene Bai Tu Long Bay. It is a true paradise, a place where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with the pure, breathtaking beauty of nature.

At VietnamStory, we work with the best luxury cruises that have the exclusive privilege of visiting this pristine beach. Let us help you find the perfect itinerary that will take you to this hidden paradise. Contact us today, and let’s start planning your journey to the quiet and beautiful side of the bay.