Pristine charm of Ba Trai Dao islet
Nestled in the Cat Ba archipelago within Cat Hai special zone, Hai Phong city, Ba Trai Dao islet is an ideal destination for those who love the pure beauty of the sea.
Love legend
Ba Trai Dao islet lies about 22 km southeast of Cat Ba town and can only be reached by water. Visitors usually travel by boat from Beo wharf (Cat Ba) or join tours exploring Lan Ha Bay. Those who opt for a canoe can depart from the tourist port. It takes about one and a half hours by boat from Cat Ba to the islet.
According to locals, the name “Ba Trai Dao” (Three Peaches) comes from the unique shape of three limestone mountains, each about 20 – 30 m high, standing close together like three fairy peaches aligned in the middle of the vast sea and sky.
Legend has it that this enchanting place once attracted heavenly fairies who descended to enjoy the scenery and bathe in the clear waters. During one such visit, the seventh fairy secretly fell in love with a fisherman who often dried his boat and scraped barnacles on the sandy shore. They pledged eternal love and vowed never to part.
Wanting her beloved to live forever like herself, the fairy took three fairy peaches from the royal garden. When the Jade Emperor learned of this, he forbade her from returning to the mortal world. Unable to defy her father, she dropped the three peaches to the earth for her lover. They fell into the sea, forming three peach-shaped mountains surrounded by pristine beaches, as beautiful as the tale of their love.
Exploring untouched beauty
Because it is remote and only accessible by boat, Ba Trai Dao islet remains relatively unknown, and not everyone is aware of the experiences it offers. According to Hoang Thi Dieu Hoa, staff member of the Management Board of Cat Ba Archipelago Bays, the most breathtaking moments at Ba Trai Dao can be seen on a cruise at sunrise or sunset. These are the most precious scenes the island has to offer.
Guides from the Management Board of Cat Ba Archipelago Bays recommend visiting Ba Trai Dao between May and September, when the weather is at its best: sunny skies, calm seas, and clear blue waters, with temperatures ranging from 26 – 32°C. This is the perfect time for activities such as swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling among the coral reefs.
LINH HUY