Tuần Châu is a

schist Schist ( ) is a medium-grained metamorphic rock generally derived from fine-grained sedimentary rock, like shale. It shows pronounced ''schistosity'' (named for the rock). This means that the rock is composed of mineral grains easily seen with a l ...

island on the southwest side of

Hạ Long Hạ Long ( , ) is a first-class provincial city and the capital city of Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. It was found in 1993, when the old capital, Hòn Gai, was merged with Bãi Cháy, the main tourist area. The city mainly lies on Hạ L ...

City in

Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...

Overview

Covered by palm forests, Tuần Châu island has an area of 2.2 km² and to the east and south are two man-made beaches endowed with very white, fine sand. Nowadays, Tuần Châu Island is one of the most touristic destinations in Hạ Long.

Etymology

In the feudal time, the royal army set up a guard station here to patrol and defend the borderland. The name of Tuần Châu is the combination between ‘linh tuan’ (the patrolman) and ‘tri chau’ (district chief).

Location

Tuần Châu is located an important position at the entrance of the waterway system of

Thăng Long Hanoi ( ; ; ) is the capital and second-most populous city of Vietnam. The name "Hanoi" translates to "inside the river" (Hanoi is bordered by the Red and Black Rivers). As a municipality, Hanoi consists of 12 urban districts, 17 rural d ...

, Bặch Đằng and Vân Ðồn.

History

The island has many archaeological sites pertaining to the ancient Hạ Long culture from 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Because of its location, the royal army set up a guard station here to patrol and defend the borderland. The Office of Feudal Customs was also installed there. President

Hồ Chí Minh (born ; 19 May 1890 – 2 September 1969), colloquially known as Uncle Ho () among other aliases and sobriquets, was a Vietnamese revolutionary and politician who served as the founder and first president of the Democratic Republic ...

used to spend holidays there, in an octagonal house that has now become a memorial site.

Tourism

Tuần Châu Island can be reached via the 2-km cement road from the mainland. The construction of this road was undertaken by Tuan Chau 5-star yacht company and officially started on February 28, 1998. Investments have been poured into the island to create a modern tourist resort. It includes attractions such as the

dolphin A dolphin is an aquatic mammal in the cetacean clade Odontoceti (toothed whale). Dolphins belong to the families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins), Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), Pontopori ...

sea lion Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short and thick hair, and a big chest and belly. Together with the fur seals, they make up the family Otariidae, eared seals. ...

, and performing-

seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, also called "true seal" ** Fur seal ** Eared seal * Seal ( ...

club, animal circus club, golf course, cultural-sports center, beach, rural market, ornamental fish lake, villas in Hill 1 and Hill 2, guesthouses, five 80-room villas by the beach. The ensemble of five restaurants and one round house built in the pagoda motif can serve up to 500 guests at a time. From 2014, there is another way to reach Tuan Chau Island from Hanoi that is a direct flight from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Island, Halong Bay by seaplane of Hai Au Aviation. The flight allows you to enjoy a bird's eye view of the thousands of limestone karsts jutting up from the jade green waters and see remote fishing villages before landing at Tuan Chau Island Marin

The Marina

The pier of Tuần Châu island hosts only 10% of all boat companies cruising on Halong bay and provides cruisers with cafés, souvenir shops, and daily entertainment shows with young local dancers performing modern dances. Some boat companies also offer private lounges for their passengers awaiting boarding time. Tuần Châu island is at present constructing a much larger marina integrated in a touristic resort that should be completed in years to come. In 2004,

Miss Vietnam Miss Vietnam (Vietnamese language, Vietnamese: ''Hoa hậu Việt Nam'') is the oldest and most prestigious Beauty pageant#National and international pageants, national beauty contest in Vietnam, that has been held biennially since Miss Vietnam 19 ...

was held there. In 2005, Tuần Châu was where the "Vietnam: The Island of Mr. Sang" episode of '' Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations'' was filmed. This is also the place where Carnaval Ha Long 2022: Color of Wonder took place with many interesting activities.

References

Islands of Vietnam Landforms of Quảng Ninh province {{Vietnam-geo-stub