Ti Top (Titov) island takes its name from Gherman Titov, the Soviet cosmonaut who visited Ha Long Bay with President Ho Chi Minh in 1962. It has a small crescent beach and a steep path of roughly 400 steps to a pavilion at the summit.
The view from the top — boats scattered across the water between dozens of karsts — is the classic Ha Long panorama, and the reason nearly every day cruise stops here.
Top things to do at Ti Top Island
Climb to the summit
About 15–20 minutes up at a steady pace. The halfway platform is a good alternative if the heat is fierce.
Swim at the beach
The small beach has a roped swimming area. It gets crowded around midday.
How to get to Ti Top Island
- By boat: on most Ha Long day cruises and some overnight routes.
Insider tips
- Go early or late in the day to avoid the steepest crowds on the steps.
- Bring swimwear under your clothes to swim after the climb.
Best tours & cruises for Ti Top Island
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Ti Top Island and the bays around it:
Day trip from €34 Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Swimming, Lunch & Kayaking
The classic Ha Long Bay day from Hanoi, and one of the most-reviewed tours in Vietnam. It covers the famous stops — Sung Sot cave, Luon cave and Ti Top island — with lunch on board and expressway transfers. Busy, but efficient and excellent value.
- Sung Sot (Surprise) cave
- Kayak or bamboo boat at Luon cave
- Swim and climb at Ti Top island
Day trip from €40 Hanoi: Round-Trip Ha Long Bay Islands, Caves, Kayaking & Lunch
A well-reviewed alternative to the bestseller above, covering the same central Ha Long highlights with a slightly different boat and schedule. Handy when your first-choice date is sold out.
- Sung Sot cave and Ti Top island
- Kayak or bamboo boat
- Hanoi transfers included
Day trip from €34 Hanoi: Ha Long Bay 1-Day Cruise with Lunch & Kayaking
The same classic loop at one of the lowest prices on the platform, with a 4.9 rating from its reviewers. A deluxe day boat and a local lunch keep it comfortable despite the budget price.
- Sung Sot cave
- Kayak or bamboo boat to Luon cave
- Swim at Ti Top beach
