Tung Sau Pearl Farm: Discovering The Living Gems Of Ha Long Bay

As you glide through the magnificent, jade-green waters of Ha Long Bay, you will be mesmerized by the incredible beauty of the limestone islands and the mysterious caves. But Vietnamstory wants to take you on a journey to a special and fascinating place that reveals another side of the bay’s soul: a place of human ingenuity, patient craftsmanship, and the creation of precious, living gems. Welcome to the Tung Sau Pearl Farm. The Tung Sau Pearl Farm is a beautiful, 30-hectare floating operation that has been nurturing the famous Pinctada oysters amidst the serene and protected karst lagoons since 1995. This is a wonderfully hands-on and educational attraction that perfectly enriches any cruise itinerary, and it is a fascinating counterpoint to a visit to a magnificent cave like Sung Sot or a cultural stop at a floating village like Vung Vieng.

Established in 1995 by a Japanese company, Tung Sau Pearl Farm is a unique tourist attraction in Ha Long Bay, famous for its natural pearl cultivation process and advanced techniques.

A secluded lagoon: Tung Sau pearl farm’s location and access

Tung Sau Pearl Farm is beautifully nestled in a secluded and calm lagoon, which provides the perfect, protected environment for cultivating high-quality pearls. Getting here is an exclusive experience, almost always as part of a well-planned cruise itinerary.

The farm is located in a quiet lagoon near the famous Bồ Hòn Island, approximately 24 km from the Tuan Chau Marina. Its close proximity to other major attractions, like being just a 30-minute kayak ride from Sung Sot Cave, makes it a very convenient and popular stop.

How you can get there:

The standard access (via an overnight cruise): The most common and easiest way to visit is as part of your cruise itinerary. Most high-quality 4-star and 5-star cruises (such as the Ambassador, Sea Stars, and Paradise Elegance cruises) will include a wonderful, 45-minute stop here on either Day 1 or Day 2 of your journey.
A private day trip: For those with a special interest, it is also possible to arrange a private boat trip. A private boat rental for about 4 hours from the Tuan Chau port will cost approximately 800,000 – 1,000,000 VND (around ₹2,800 – ₹3,500).

The beautiful and calm, enclosed waters of the Tung Sau lagoon have made it a designated “Blue Zone” in 2026. This means it is one of the few legally protected and designated areas where kayaking is permitted and is highly safe, making it a wonderful spot to paddle.

READ MORE: Lan Ha Bay Caves: Your 2026 Guide to the “Secret Gallery” of Wonders

What you can expect to see and do in Tung Sau Pearl farm?

Unlike the traditional floating fishing villages, Tung Sau is a sophisticated and modern, 30-hectare facility that beautifully blends traditional Vietnamese aquaculture with modern Japanese technology, which was first pioneered here in 1995. A visit here is a fascinating, step-by-step journey that shows you how a living gem is created.

Visitors can witness firsthand the entire process from implanting the nucleus into the oyster, nurturing it, to harvesting, including meticulous handcrafted processing techniques.

The incredible implantation demonstration

This is the most fascinating part of the tour. You will get to witness the incredible, “surgical” precision of the local technicians as they perform the delicate operation of carefully inserting a tiny, round nucleus into a living Pinctada oyster. For our Indian guests, who we know have a deep appreciation for intricate and detailed craftsmanship, this short, 5-minute demonstration is absolutely captivating.

The exciting live harvest

Guests who visit the farm will often get the chance to participate in a fun “lucky opening.” You can choose an oyster directly from the cage, and a staff member will open it for you right there, revealing the beautiful, shimmering pearl that has been growing inside for years.

Tung Sau farm specializes in two beautiful types of pearls: the classic white and pinkish Akoya pearls and the highly prized golden and yellow South Sea pearls. we have found that the beautiful golden pearls are particularly popular with our Indian guests, as their warm, rich color resonates so beautifully with your traditional jewelry preferences.

The art of grading and your chance for authentic shopping

The on-site showroom and museum will explain to you the “5 Virtues” of a perfect pearl: its Luster, its Surface, its Shape, its Color, and its Size.

Guaranteed authenticity: This is very important. Every single pearl that you purchase from the official farm comes with a certificate of origin from the Ha Long Pearl JSC, guaranteeing its authenticity.
A price range for everyone: You can find a beautiful and authentic souvenir for every budget, from simple and elegant silver-mounted pearl pendants (starting from around ₹700) to high-end and magnificent gold-set pearl strands (which can cost ₹1.5 Lakh or more).

Vietnamstory signature: Our tailored tips for Indian travelers

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

Your vegetarian comfort

The pearl farm has a small and charming floating café. While most visitors will just do the tour, we can specially arrange for refreshing fresh coconut water and delicious, hot vegetarian spring rolls to be ready and waiting for your group to enjoy while you are overlooking the beautiful oyster rafts.

The “Kayaking buddy” rule

We always keep up with the latest safety regulations. The new 2026 rules now prohibit solo kayaking in the bay. You must paddle in pairs in a double kayak. We find this is a wonderful and fun rule that is perfect for couples or for a parent-child bonding experience on the water.

A unique photography opportunity

The beautiful, orderly rows of the white floating buoys set against the stunning backdrop of the emerald-green karst mountains provide a unique and beautiful “industrial-meets-nature” photo opportunity that is far less crowded than the famous Titop Island viewpoint.

Our “no-pressure” policy

We know that some commercial stops can feel uncomfortable. We want to assure you that Tung Sau is primarily an educational facility. You are absolutely welcome to watch the fascinating demonstrations and leave without feeling any pressure to purchase anything. Our expert guides will always ensure that your visit is a relaxed, enjoyable, and “no-push” environment.

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

A quick comparison: Tung Sau Pearl Farm and Vung Vieng Fishing Village

To help you understand the different experiences, here is a simple comparison between the two main floating attractions in the bay.

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

Feature	Tung Sau Pearl Farm	Vung Vieng Fishing Village
The core theme	It is all about Science, Craftsmanship, and the creation of Jewelry.	It is about Traditional Culture, a simple way of life, and history.
The primary activity	Watching the incredible Implantation Demonstration and the chance for authentic shopping.	Taking a peaceful Bamboo Rowboat ride and visiting the Communal House.
The kayaking style	Very calm, lagoon-style kayaking. It is incredibly safe and protected.	More open-water kayaking, exploring the village corridors and nearby coves.
Who is it best for?	Honeymooners and Jewelry Lovers.	Culture Seekers and Families with young children.

A sample cruise itinerary integration

Morning: Embark at Tuan Chau port. Explore the magnificent Sung Sot Cave.
Afternoon: Visit the Tung Sau Pearl Farm for the tour and demonstration. Head to Titop Beach for a swim and a hike to the viewpoint.
Evening: Enjoy a beautiful sunset and an onboard dinner.

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

While the photographs and memories of Ha Long Bay will last a lifetime, a visit to the Tung Sau Pearl Farm offers you the rare opportunity to take home a real, tangible piece of the bay itself. A beautiful, authentic pearl, born from these very emerald waters, is more than just a souvenir; it is a timeless and elegant memento of your incredible journey. Whether you choose a simple pendant or a magnificent strand, it is a piece of living history that will forever connect you to the magic and the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Let Vietnamstory help you find that perfect, lasting memory. We can arrange a cruise that includes this special shopping opportunity, ensuring that the pearl you choose is authentic, of the highest quality, and a beautiful final chapter to your Ha Long adventure. Get in touch with us to plan your trip, and discover the ultimate, living souvenir of Ha Long Bay.