The captivating charm of Lan Ha Bay in northern Vietnam is encapsulated by a heart-shaped islet with a shapely beach that connects with another islet. 

This aerial picture of the islet was taken by travel blogger Quy Coc Tu (real name Ngo Tran Hai An) during a trip to Lan Ha Bay in the Cat Ba Archipelago, Hai Phong City early December.

The islet, about 160 m wide, 110 m long and its highest point about 16 m above sea level, is a block of rock covered with green trees.

The pointed portion of the heart shape extends into a beach, about 10 meters wide and 50 meters long, that connects to another curved islet. 

Quy Coc Tu is on a personal photography project that involves capturing beautiful spots in Vietnam from above and sharing them. He uses drones and high vantage points, mostly, and the occasional helicopter trip when available.

The travel blogger says kayaking in Lan Ha Bay is an experience not to be missed because it is the easiest way to get close with the pristine beauty of the place and explore limestone arches and caves that are millions of years old. 

And, he adds, it also allows the opportunity to watch sunlight dancing on water and reflecting on the beautiful cliffs and caves. Not to mention capture all this splendor on camera.

One of the “secret” caves that awaits discovery has a stunning, natural skylight space with just one entrance. 

On a sunny day from around noon until 3 p.m., a magnificent scene is created when the sunlight shines into the space and contrasts with the darkness of the cave.

One of his aims on this trip to Cat Ba was going on an 11 km trek through primeval forest, climbing rocks and visiting the Viet Hai fishing village, before returning to watch the sunset at the bay, the blogger said.

Aerial shots allow a photographer to capture the beauty of a place like Cat Ba and its surroundings from a panoramic perspective not possible otherwise.

And with fewer tourists towards the end of the year, the sense of space widens. 

After trekking through the forest, the blogger and his crew rested and went cycling to explore the 300-year-old, picturesque Viet Hai fishing village which has many features of the old countryside still intact. 

Visitors can enjoy a sense of adventure by going from the village to the Viet Hai pier, crossing two rows of trees, then entering a 100 m long cave.

After the fishing village, the blogger stopped at Cai Beo, the largest floating fishing village in Vietnam. 

The ancient village has about 300 households who live off fishing and fish farming. It is surrounded by hundreds of limestone mountains, giving it a feel of a world unto itself. 

While leaving the Cai Beo floating village, visitors returning to Cat Ba on the boat can enjoy a breathtaking, tranquil sunset – a fitting way to close out a thoroughly enjoyable outing. 

Photos by Ngo Tran Hai An