Titop Island (Titov Island), Halong Bay, Vietnam

Titop Island (or Titov Island) is located in Halong Bay and is one of the great spots for viewing the beauty of the whole area. From its vantage point up high you can see the bay spread out before you and take it all in. The only drawback? Getting to the top!  We’ll explain that in the next section.

Firstly, a little about the island. While it’s not a large island, it is one of the few in Halong Bay that has a sand beach. Because of its beauty it was used as a meeting point between President Ho Chi Minh and a Soviet Union astronaut called Gherman Titov in 1962. (Hence the name).

Nowadays the island is a major stop off point for cruise vessels. Some people swim from the beach, and others make the arduous climb to the summit to get the best views of Halong Bay.

Getting to the top of Titop Island

Firstly, the climb is not for those who are not relatively fit, or who have bad legs, knees, hips, or back. It is not easy and you will find yourself puffing and panting and needing lots of rest stops on the way up. When you get there, it is worth it, but it is not easy.

The steps up are extremely steep. Being not very deep your muscles are going to start to ache pretty quickly. Getting up is tough, but getting down can be harder! We saw lots of people struggling with the climb and a lot stopped and just turned around.  

If you can’t make it to the top

Firstly don’t be ashamed, a lot of people don’t have the ability to get to the top. Luckily, there is a half way point which is where most people will call an end to their climb. You still get nice views from here, and you have the enjoyment of seeing everybody else struggle up the steps on their hands and knees! (Or as we witnessed in one case, coming down on their backsides like an infant coming down a stairs).   

The view from the top of Titop Island

You’ve persevered, you’ve struggled, your thigh muscles are burning, and your clothes are covered in sweat, but you’re at the top finally! Now you can see why you forced yourself to do this! Looking out over the railings and the bushes to Halong Bay is an unforgettable view. It is easily the best view of the bay we saw anywhere; (the exit point from Sung Sot Cave was a close contender though).

When you get your breath back and you are ready for a picture you need to be quick. Tourists all around will be trying to get their pictures and it can be hard to get your space in there! (We found the quietest part was the area looking over the side of the island which is on the opposite side of where the cruise boats dock. It’s also the nicest as there aren’t as many cruise boats in your picture).    

Getting down from the summit

And now for the hardest part! Like any summit, getting down is more dangerous than getting up as people lose their concentration and can be more likely to fall as their muscles are shaking and cramp can occur. The main thing is to take your time, use the handrails, and rest if you need to.     

What else is on the island

Close to the bottom of the climb is a little bar and drinks area where you can buy drinks or coconuts. The coconuts are refreshing and definitely worth a try. If you’re having a beer then wait till you come back down!

Also on the island is a beach where some people swim. Personally we didn’t think the water was very clean so didn’t venture in. (Unfortunately one of the things we noticed about Halong Bay was the lack of cleanliness in the sea. Apparently the Vietnamese authorities are attempting to rectify this and one of the ways is by limiting the floating villages as the residents of these had a tendency to just dump their rubbish into the sea).  

Conclusion

Titop Island is a great place to go to get a great view of Halong Bay. It is a tough climb but it is worth it when you get to the top. It is nice to sit on the beach and look out at the other islands in the bay. If planning a cruise on the bay, then make sure and check if Titop Island is on the itinerary as you won’t be disappointed on reaching the summit.  

– Information if you are planning this activity

Cost: Entry is included as part of your cruise if you have asked for it.
When to do: Daylight hours all throughout the year.
Duration of activity: Approximately 2 hours in total.
Who is it suitable for: To make it to the top you need to be relatively fit. The steps are extremely steep and there are a lot of them. A lot of people may get to the halfway point and decide not to go further. If you have bad legs, knees, or back it’s not advisable to attempt to climb to the top.  
Location: For the location in Google Maps please click here.

Our Vietnam Travel Guide

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