island in Vietnam
Tuan Chau Island is well known for its entertainment and recreation activities.
A huge modern entertainment complex which can seat up to 2,000 people holds dolphin and seal shows, a high tech water fountain with music, laser lighting and film showing on the water screen and an interesting crocodile show. There is parking available while taxis are seen outside the entrance of the island.
A newly built jetty that offers cruises to Halong Bay is lined with a 4km man-made beach occupied with local cafes and restaurants, a large building with ferry and cruise counters, a modern karaoke club and disco making this island a destination for locals and also foreign travelers. There is also a luxury Halong Bay Cruise company operating from here and prices are around US$200 and above per person.
There are a number of two to three star resorts available here which one of them is the Holiday Villa Tuan Chau. The resort has breathtaking views of Halong Bay. However, Tuan Chau Island is quite a distance to Halong City and you may need a taxi or bus to get there.
The island is known to be owned by a wealthy Vietnamese family according to staff and workers on the island. It was designed to be the premier location for exclusive living with high end bungalows and world class resorts. The Miss Universe 2008 and Miss Vietnam 2010 Beauty Pageant was also held here on Tuan Chau Island.
From the main road just before you reach Halong city, you will see a modern archway which serves as the main entrance to Tuan Chau Island. The drive in will take about 5 minutes over a man-made reclaimed road.
There is another way to reach Tuan Chau Island from Hanoi - a direct flight by seaplane of Hai Au Aviation. You can also pay to extend the flight by 15 minutes in order to view karst formations and nearby villages.