Tung Thu Beach
Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, Vietnam
Tung Thu Beach faces Lan Ha Bay from the edge of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam, a crescent of golden sand about 2 kilometers from Cat Ba Town, quieter than the beaches right in town. Limestone islands dot the bay in the distance, and it's become a favorite spot locally for sunset more than for swimming laps.
A pleasant, easy bay view with real facilities on hand, but it's more of a scenic sunset stop than a serious swimming beach, and it can't match the drama of the more remote Lan Ha Bay coves.
Come for sunset rather than midday. The light over Lan Ha Bay's karst islands is the real draw, and the crowd thins out noticeably once the tour boats head back to the harbor.
It's an easy 2 kilometer ride from Cat Ba Town by motorbike, taxi, or on foot along the coastal road, with informal parking near the beach entrance.
The beach has a maintained, easy walk-in from the road, flat and manageable for most visitors, with restrooms and changing rooms on site for a small fee.
Warm water and the calmest bay conditions run from May through October, while the cooler winter months bring fog that can dull the karst island views the beach is known for.
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