Bái Tử Long Bay Festivals: When to Visit and What to See

The two main Bái Tử Long Bay festivals worth planning a trip around are the Quan Lạn Temple Festival in summer and the Cửa Ông Temple Festival in spring. These events offer deep insights into local maritime history and traditional spiritual life away from typical tourist crowds. The Quan Lạn festival takes place on Quan Lạn Island in Vân Đồn District, usually in July. The Cửa Ông festival happens in Cẩm Phả City, overlooking the northern waters of the bay, from February to April. To attend these events, you must coordinate your travel dates with the Vietnamese lunar calendar. Contact a Trip2VN specialist to confirm the exact western dates for the current year.

The Quan Lạn Temple Festival is the most famous traditional event on the islands of Bái Tử Long Bay. Held from the 10th to the 20th day of the sixth lunar month, this historic festival honors the 13th-century military commander Trần Khánh Dư. The main highlight is the traditional boat race on the 18th day of the lunar month. Two teams represent local communes, practicing for weeks before competing on the water. Travelers can reach Quan Lạn Island by high-speed speedboat from Cái Rồng port in Vân Đồn. Round-trip boat tickets start from $12 (approximate). Accommodation on the island fills up quickly during the festival, so you should arrange lodging months in advance.

The Cửa Ông Temple Festival offers a different cultural experience on the mainland coast overlooking Bái Tử Long Bay. Located in Cẩm Phả, this temple honors Trần Quốc Tảng, a hero of the Trần Dynasty who guarded the northeastern frontier. The festival runs from the second day of the first lunar month through the third lunar month. The main ceremony occurs on the third day of the second lunar month, featuring a colorful procession along the coastal road. Visitors can easily reach Cửa Ông by car from Hạ Long City in about 45 minutes. Admission to the temple grounds is free, but transport costs from Hà Nội start from $15 (approximate) for a limousine bus. For a customized itinerary during these local events, ask our team to Get a quote.