The magnificent Tra Bau area has emerged as the most tranquil and beautiful “secret enclave” of the pristine Lan Ha Bay. Spanning a breathtaking 1.5 square kilometers to the southeast of Cat Ba Island, Tra Bau offers a truly cinematic and unforgettable blend of majestic limestone karsts and authentic floating aquaculture that feels worlds apart from the busier and more crowded routes of central Ha Long. At Vietnamstory, we highly recommend a visit to Tra Bau for our Indian travelers who are seeking a unique, hands-on “fisherman for a day” experience, all enjoyed in a peaceful and serene atmosphere, far away from the commercial crowds.
The beautiful legend of the “Fairy Tea”
The name Tra Bau is steeped in a beautiful and poetic local legend that perfectly explains its unique name and its stunningly lush and green appearance. This is a story of a celestial gift that blessed this part of the bay.
Our local fishermen love to tell the story of a beautiful fairy who was so completely captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the bay that she descended from the heavens to sow precious tea seeds (which we call on the islands here. The name “Tra Bau,” which translates to “Precious Tea,” was given to this area to honor this beautiful and celestial gift.
You will immediately notice that unlike the sheer, grey, and imposing stone walls of central Ha Long, the hills and karsts in the Tra Bau area have a much softer, gentler, and rolling green quality. In 2026, it is celebrated as the “Mirror Lagoon” of the north, a place where the vibrant, verdant karsts reflect perfectly on the calm, still, emerald-green water.
READ MORE: Lan Ha Bay Fishing Villages: A Guide to the “Soul of the Archipelago”
Your unique experiences: The fun “Pirate Club” and authentic clam digging
The Tra Bau area has beautifully distinguished itself from other parts of the bay through its wonderful, interactive “cultural role-play” and its authentic, sea-to-table activities. This is where you get to be a part of the action, not just a spectator.
The pirate club and fun games
This is a signature activity that is completely unique to the Tra Bau area! Travelers can have a huge amount of fun and dress up in traditional pirate garb for some wonderful, themed photoshoots at the local “Pirate Bar” on one of the floating platforms.
This is a fun and exciting, competitive rowing game that you can play in traditional bamboo boats. It has become a massive hit, especially for our fun-loving, multi-generational Indian families.
The mastery of aquaculture
- Clam and snail harvesting: Unlike the deep-sea fishing that you see in the outer bay, the Tra Bau area features beautiful, shallow-water clam beds. Here, you can learn the rhythmic and traditional technique of “digging” for fresh clams directly from the local families who have been doing it for generations.
- Night squid jigging: This area is often called the “Vùng Mực” (the Squid Zone) by local fishermen. The success rates for catching squid here during the peak months (from March to June) often exceed 90%. The modern tours will now include professional, “light-luring” gear for guests to try their hand at this fun nighttime activity.
The “Twin Jewels” of the bay: Your gateway to the Dark and Bright Caves and Ba Trai Dao
The Tra Bau area also serves as the perfect and most strategic gateway to the two most iconic and beautiful natural landmarks in the entire southern part of the bay. From here, you are just a short paddle or boat ride away from these incredible wonders.
The Dark and Bright Caves
- The Dark Cave: This is a mysterious and thrilling 100-meter-long tunnel that is accessible only by kayak and only during low tide. In 2026, please be aware that access is sometimes restricted by the bay management to protect the fragile ecosystem, so you should always check the daily tide chart.
- The Bright Cave: This is a shorter, 80-meter cavern that is always filled with beautiful, natural light. It opens up into a breathtaking, hidden, light-filled lagoon and is accessible all year round by either a local bamboo boat or by kayak.
READ MORE: Dark And Bright Cave: Your Gateway to the Hidden Lagoons of Lan Ha Bay
The Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches) beach
This beautiful and romantic spot is named after three islets that resemble giant peaches. Its most magical feature is its “disappearing” beach, a beautiful strip of golden sand that is only visible for 2–3 hours a day during low tide.
The three islets perfectly encircle the sandy beach, completely blocking the ocean swells and making it the absolute safest and calmest spot in the entire bay for children to swim.
Vietnamstory’s tailored tips for Indian travelers
At Vietnamstory, we are experts at making sure every experience is perfectly comfortable, delicious, and memorable for our cherished Indian guests. Here is how we tailor the Tra Bau experience for you.
The authentic “fisherman’s lunch”
We highly suggest you try a wonderful “floating farmstead” lunch. For a very reasonable price of approximately 200,000 VND (around ₹680), the local fishermen will prepare a magnificent seafood feast for you, and they can even use the very clams that you have hand-dug yourself!
Photography pro-tip
When you are kayaking in the beautiful Dark and Bright Cave lagoon, be sure to use a wide-angle lens. This will allow you to capture the incredible, “cathedral-like” reflections of the towering cliffs in the perfectly still, emerald water.
Access and transport
- From Cat Ba Island: It is a beautiful 30–40 minute boat ride from the Bến Bèo Pier.
- From Ha Long: It is a quick, 20–25 minute speedboat ride from the Tuần Châu or Gia Luận Piers.
What to wear
Vietnamstory.in recommends you opt for light, quick-dry clothing and a good pair of sports sandals. Please try to avoid wearing high heels, as they can be very unstable on the floating rafts.
A quick comparison: Tra Bau village and Cai Beo village
To help you understand the different experiences offered by the two main villages in Lan Ha Bay, here is a simple comparison.
| Feature | Tra Bau Area | Cai Beo Village |
| The primary vibe | A “Secret Lagoon” feel, full of adventure and excitement. | A “Living Museum” feel, full of history and culture. |
| The top 2xperience | The fun Pirate Games and the hands-on Clam Digging. | Learning about the 7,000-year-old archaeological site. |
| The kayaking style | Paddling through caves and beautiful mangrove routes. | Paddling through the “floating streets” of the village. |
| The crowd density | Very Low. The experience is very boutique and intimate. | Moderate. It is the main gateway to the bay. |
| The safety | Very High. The area is incredibly sheltered by the karsts. | High, but there is much busier water traffic. |
For cherished Indian travelers who are seeking that perfect, serene escape into the pristine, untouched beauty of the bay, we cannot recommend our Lan Ha Bay cruise itineraries highly enough. This is the journey we have specially designed to take you far away from the bustling crowds of the main Ha Long Bay and into a world of quiet tranquility and breathtaking natural wonder.
Whether you choose our popular 2-Day, 1-Night Bai Tu Long cruise trip for a perfect taste of the bay’s magic, or our more immersive 3-Day, 2-Night journey for a deeper exploration, you will experience the very best of this exclusive route. We will arrange everything for you, from your comfortable limousine van transfer from Hanoi to your stay on a luxurious 5-star cruise. You will get to kayak through the magnificent Dark and Bright Cave, explore beautiful hidden beaches like Ba Trai Dao, and visit an authentic floating village, all while enjoying delicious meals tailored to your dietary needs. This is the ultimate way to experience the peaceful, exclusive, and truly unforgettable soul of the bay.
Conclusion
While the natural beauty of Tra Bau is breathtaking, it is the opportunity for authentic human interaction that makes a visit here so truly special. It is the chance to learn directly from a local fisherman how to catch squid, to share a laugh with a family as they teach you how to dig for clams, and to enjoy a meal that was caught and prepared just for you. In a world of curated tourist experiences, Tra Bau offers a rare and precious moment of genuine, hands-on connection with the people who call this beautiful bay home.
Let Vietnamstory help you make these wonderful, authentic connections. We have built strong relationships with the local communities and the best boutique cruises to ensure your experience is as meaningful as it is memorable. Get in touch with us to plan your trip, and discover the warm, welcoming, and authentic heart of Lan Ha Bay.
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