Ha Long Pearl: A Guide To The "Living Gems" Of The Bay

Ha Long Bay’s pearl farms have evolved into sophisticated “living museums” where traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship meets Japanese precision. For our Indian travelers, these farms – particularly Tung Sau – offer a rare look at the intricate biology of the sea and the opportunity to take home a piece of “liquid light.” At Vietnamstory, we see the pearl farm as a quiet, educational pause in your journey, perfect for families interested in science and couples looking for a meaningful, high-quality souvenir.

Halong Pearl, offers a captivating glimpse into the vibrant floating village life in Ha Long Bay.

How Ha Long pearls are cultivated in 2026?

Ha Long Bay is one of the few places in the entire world where the conditions are absolutely perfect for cultivating high-quality sea pearls. The mineral-rich, limestone-filtered waters of the bay provide the perfect pH balance (between 7.8 – 8.2), which allows the oysters to create a dense, high-luster, and beautiful outer layer called nacre. This is where nature’s magic happens. Let’s explore the types of pearls and the incredible journey of their creation.

The varieties of Ha Long Pearls

Akoya Pearls: This is the specialty of our bay. These beautiful pearls are known for their incredible, “mirror-like” luster and their lovely metallic pink or silver overtones. They are typically between 6 – 9 mm in size.
South Sea Pearls: These are the larger and rarer “Queen pearls,” often between 10 – 15 mm in size. They are cultivated in the deeper, cooler waters of the bay.
Mabe (or Half) Pearls: These are unique, dome-shaped pearls that are grown directly against the inner wall of the oyster shell.

The multi-year journey of a pearl

Creating a pearl is a long and patient process. It takes 24 to 48 months for a beautiful Akoya pearl to mature, while the larger and rarer South Sea pearls can take up to 7 years to form.

The delicate cultivation process

Selection: Healthy, 2-year-old Pinctada fucata oysters are carefully chosen.
Implantation (the “surgery”): This is a delicate, 20-minute procedure where a skilled technician surgically inserts a tiny, 5mm nucleus and a small piece of mantle tissue into the living oyster.
The “cleansing” rhythm: The oysters are then placed in special cages and lowered 4 – 10 meters underwater. They are lovingly cleaned every single month to remove any marine growth and to prevent infection.
The success rate: The process is very difficult. Only 30 – 40% of the oysters will successfully yield a pearl, and of those, only a tiny fraction will be graded as “Class A” – perfectly round and flawless.

Tung Sau Pearl village: Your primary hub for discovery

The Tung Sau Pearl Farm is located in a beautiful and secluded, 30-hectare cove near the famous Bo Hon Island. It is the most accessible and popular farm for our cruise travelers. This is where you will witness the magic of pearl creation firsthand.

How to get there?

The farm is only reachable by a tender boat from your main cruise ship. It is typically a 45-60 minute stop that is included in most 1-night or 2-night cruise itineraries.

The key experiences

The “lucky opening”: This is a huge favorite, especially for our families with children! For a fee of approximately 850,000 VND (~₹2,900), you can personally select an oyster from the cage. A staff member will then open it for you, and you get to keep the beautiful pearl that is found inside.
The new microscope views: The on-site museum now features new, high-resolution microscopes that allow you to see the incredible, intricate cellular structure of the nacre layers of a pearl up close.
Eco-kayaking: The lagoon around the farm is incredibly calm and protected, making it a very safe and beautiful spot for a peaceful session of double kayaking.

READ MORE: Tung Sau Pearl Farm: Discovering the Living Gems of Ha Long Bay

Shopping with confidence: How to tell real and fake pearls?

For our travelers from Delhi, Mumbai, or Pune, we know that buying jewelry abroad requires a high level of trust and confidence. Here are our simple, local tips for ensuring you are buying an authentic, high-quality Ha Long pearl.

The simple “tooth test”: This is a classic and reliable test. Gently rub the pearl against the front of your tooth. A real pearl will feel slightly gritty and almost like fine sandpaper. A fake, plastic, or glass pearl will feel perfectly smooth.
The pricing guide: Souvenir grade pearls: 500,000 – 2,000,000 VND (~₹1,700 – ₹6,800) and fine jewelry (Certified): 10,000,000 VND+ (~₹34,000+)
Where to buy safely:
- The Ha Long Pearl JSC Showroom (at the farm): This is the best place to buy, as you are getting it directly from the source. Every purchase will come with an international certificate of origin.
- Legend Pearl (in Bai Chay): This is a large and reputable showroom in the main tourist area with a wide variety and educational talks.
- Vincom Plaza (in the cvity center): This is the best place to find professionally set, designer pearl pieces in gold or silver.

Vietnamstory’s tailored tips for Indian travelers

At Vietnam Story, we love to make every experience perfectly comfortable and special for our cherished Indian guests. Here is how we add our special touch to your visit to the pearl farm.

In 2026, the Tung Sau farm now uses biodegradable cages and AI-monitored drones to protect the bay’s precious biodiversity. By purchasing a pearl here, you are directly supporting these wonderful and important sustainable initiatives. We always recommend you try to visit in the late afternoon (from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM). At this time, the sun hits the lagoon at a beautiful angle, making it much easier to see the incredible underwater oyster cages from the surface.

Visit pearl farms, learn about different types of pearls, and try your hand at opening oyster shells to find pearls (additional fees may apply).

While the prices in the main showroom are fixed, if you are with a group or are purchasing multiple sets of jewelry, you can often politely negotiate a small 5-10% discount. As you are kayaking or on a bamboo boat near the caves, you might be approached by small “floating vendors” in boats, trying to sell you “pearls.” Please avoid buying from them. Their “pearls” are almost always cheap plastic or low-quality freshwater imports, not the real, beautiful sea pearls of Ha Long. Stick to the certified farm shops for authenticity.

A quick comparison: Ha Long Pearls and famous Phu Quoc Pearls

To help you understand the unique quality of our pearls, here is a quick comparison with the other famous pearl-producing region in Vietnam.

Feature	Ha Long Bay Pearls	Phu Quoc Pearls (in the South)
Primary type	Akoya (smaller and incredibly lustrous).	South Sea (larger and rarer).
A rare and unique hue	They are famous for their cool blue and metallic pink overtones.	They are famous for their beautiful golden and warm cream colors.
The nacre thickness	The nacre is thicker and more durable due to the unique limestone influence in the water.	Standard nacre thickness.
The vibe	The experience here is more scientific and scenic.	The experience in Phu Quoc is more laid-back and has an island escape feel.

READ MORE: Pearl Farm Phu Quoc guide – How to buy an authentic pearl in Phu Quoc?

Conclusion

While you will find many souvenirs in Ha Long Bay, a beautiful, authentic pearl from the Tung Sau farm is the only one that is truly born from these sacred waters. It is more than just a piece of jewelry; it is a tangible, shimmering piece of the bay itself. To wear a Ha Long pearl is to carry a memory of the emerald-green lagoons, the patient work of the local artisans, and the quiet, living magic that lies beneath the surface of this UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the most authentic and elegant memory you can take home.

Your travel story deserves to be filled with these kinds of deep and meaningful lessons. Allow Vietnamstory to be your guide. We specialize in crafting seamless Tour Packages from India that go beyond the surface to reveal the fascinating stories hidden within the landscape. Reach out to us, and let’s start writing your patient and beautiful Ha Long Bay story together.