Ti Top Island

One of the most-visited islands in Ha Long Bay's heritage zone, with a small crescent beach on the northern side and a viewpoint at the summit that gives a 360-degree panorama over the karst landscape. The climb up 400 concrete steps takes about 20 minutes and is worth it for the view — hundreds of islands in every direction, disappearing into the haze.

The beach is tiny and becomes crowded during the peak lunch hours when multiple cruise boats anchor simultaneously. Swimming is pleasant in the sheltered cove. Most cruise itineraries include a Ti Top stop; go early morning if possible to have the summit to yourself. The island is about 8 km southeast of Ha Long City.

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A story
Ti Top Island was named by Ho Chi Minh himself, in honour of Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who visited Ha Long Bay with Ho Chi Minh in 1962. Titov was the second human to orbit the earth (after Gagarin) and the first to do so for more than a day. The island's Vietnamese name before the visit was likely something more prosaic. A small beach and a 400-step staircase to the summit viewpoint have made it one of the most visited spots in the bay.

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