Dao Tu Do (Freedom Island) in Lan Ha Bay, unique for having a shoal with a beach on either side, is a hidden gem. 

The island is one of 388 in the Cat Ba Archipelago, home to the well-known Lan Ha Bay, in Hai Phong City.

The two beaches are just a few minutes from each other through a passage between two tall limestone hills, and remain relatively pristine with few tourists coming here.

Lan Ha Bay recently came to international notice for its stunning beauty, especially after Hollywood star Leonardo Dicaprio called for better preservation.

An aerial view of the Freedom Island in Lan Ha Bay.
Photo by Shenelle Rodrigo.

The beauty is further enhanced by the turquoise waters shimmering in the bright summer sun. Besides swimming, visitors can also paddleboard, sunbathe on large personal buoys in the water or rent a kayak to paddle around in the gentle waters of the bay.

Or, if you prefer to just chill, you can lie in a hammock under casuarina trees, admiring the ocean while reading a book or listening to music. At night you could have a seafood BBQ right next to the water.

The island has an entertainment facility with a billiards table and a karaoke room, making the Internet-free experience enjoyable with friends and family.

At night you could stay in a bungalow surrounded by trees and flowers amid the unflagging sea breeze.

The Freedom Island is a lesser-known destination in northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of travel agency Freedom Island Paradise.

Freedom Island has gradually garnered a reputation through visits by international travel bloggers, who lavish praise on its beauty.

Shenelle Rodrigo, a Sri Lankan blogger, wrote: "The other side of the beach is perfect for swimming. This is a perfect island for us. Not to mention that you could discover the surrounding water with a kayak.

"We even discovered another small beach with interesting shapes. I highly recommend you to spend a full day here on Freedom Island."