Amidst the majestic waters of Ha Long Bay lies a mysterious island named Mat Rong (Dragon Eye Island), which still preserves its pristine beauty, largely untouched by mass tourism. Its obscurity is primarily due to its remote location, isolated from bustling tourist hubs. The island not only boasts a unique natural landscape featuring a peculiar lake nestled in its very heart, but it also harbors many ancient and enigmatic traces of the past. Join Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise Tours as we explore this island, poetically dubbed the “Dragon’s Eye”!
Introduction to Mat Rong Island
Tucked away in the southern waters of Ha Long Bay, near Lan Ha Bay—a pristine and breathtakingly beautiful minor bay with equally majestic natural scenery—Mat Rong Island (also known as Hon Bai Dong) has the exact geographical coordinates of 20.7° N, 107.1° E. Spanning an area of approximately 30 hectares, the island is embraced by two curving mountain ridges, creating a uniquely picturesque landscape. Mat Rong Island captivates travelers not only with its striking name but also with its unspoiled beauty, harmoniously blending mountains, the open sea, and lush greenery.
The location of Mat Rong Island on Google Maps
Mat Rong Island viewed from a Flycam
The 3-bedroom concrete stilt house on Mat Rong Island
In ancient times, Quang Ninh was renowned for the Van Don Trading Port—one of the most bustling commercial hubs in Northern Vietnam. It witnessed a constant influx of merchant ships and trading vessels traveling between numerous nations. Situated along this vital maritime route, Mat Rong Island served as an ideal hiding spot for pirates. They would lurk on the island, waiting for the right moment to ambush and plunder ships laden with precious cargo, and use the island as a vault to conceal their stolen treasures.
Tales of this colossal treasure eventually attracted a rival band of pirates, sparking a bloody turf war on the island that resulted in numerous casualties. Consequently, a dark reputation settled over Mat Rong Island, driving merchants and trading vessels away in fear. With their prey gone, the pirates eventually dispersed and faded away.
Located 20 km offshore, Mat Rong Island is not yet officially licensed for tourism due to its remote location, limited land area, and lack of developed infrastructure. Although Le Hoang Truong Sa Co., Ltd. previously planned to launch limited-access tours (maximum 50 visitors per day) in 2016 and consulted with the Ha Long Bay Management Board to ensure minimal environmental and landscape impact, no official tours have been put on sale to date, presumably due to pending permits.
Therefore, travelers wishing to visit Mat Rong Island must proactively apply for special permission and exercise patience, as approval can take up to a month or longer. Securing a permit is mandatory since the island remains officially closed to general tourism.
To reach Mat Rong Island, visitors must charter a speedboat or a private yacht. Although the distance is only about 20 km, a yacht journey from Tuan Chau Marina typically takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, not including potential delays caused by wind and waves.
As the island lacks a proper pier, boats must anchor 50 to 100 meters offshore. Passengers are then transferred to the shore via small dinghies, each accommodating a maximum of 4 people (including the boat operator). Please note that while Ha Long Bay is generally sheltered, ocean swells can occasionally make the dinghy transfer challenging. Wearing a life jacket is strongly recommended for safety.
Visitors must take a small dinghy to access Mat Rong Island as there is no dedicated yacht pier
What to experience on Mat Rong Island?
Visiting Mat Rong Island offers travelers delightful experiences amidst pristine nature. You can swim freely in the cool blue waters, stroll along the shoreline searching for charming seashells, or hand-prepare a fragrant BBQ feast right on the sandy beach. For outdoor enthusiasts, kayaking around the island is an equally appealing option. Notably, the island is also home to a square fruit tree (Barringtonia asiatica) brought all the way from the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, adding a unique and meaningful touch to the landscape.
1. The Shrine
Upon stepping ashore on Mat Rong Island, you will encounter a small shrine nestled against a high cliff of the hill encompassing the island. Inside sits a headless wooden statue. Legend has it that this artifact originated from China, drifted down to Vietnam’s southern waters, and lost its head during its long journey across the open sea. Vietnamese fishermen discovered, retrieved, and enshrined it out of reverence.
The headless statue worshipped at the shrine on Mat Rong Island
Placing the shrine high up on a cliff rather than on the ground likely stemmed from the fishermen’s desire to protect the sacred statue from being swept away by storms and high tides. A close examination of the statue reveals the attire of a civil mandarin from the Later Le Dynasty. Interestingly, the neck bears a slanted cut mark, reminiscent of ancient Chinese execution styles, which adds an air of mystery.
2. Exploring and Kayaking on the Dragon Eye Lake
The absolute highlight of Mat Rong Island—and the origin of its evocative name—is the crystal-clear turquoise lake nestled in the center of the island, entirely enclosed by majestic limestone cliffs and primitive forests. Viewed from above, this circular, azure lake looks precisely like a dragon’s eye. The jade-like clarity of the “dragon’s eye” makes the island stand out remarkably amidst the breathtaking expanse of Ha Long Bay.
The lake on Mat Rong Island
Many mistakenly believe this is a freshwater lake, but in reality, it is a saltwater lake. The bottom of the lake connects to the sea via a sluice gate, ensuring continuous water exchange. The salinity of the lake water is even higher than that of the surrounding sea areas in Vietnam. During low tide, the lake depth is roughly 3 meters, and its bed is primarily composed of black silt.
The stunning jade-green color of the lake can be attributed to the reflection of aquatic vegetation such as algae and seaweed, combined with the depth of the basin. The saline water with its high mineral content creates a unique ecosystem, attracting a diverse array of fish and distinctive marine life.
Travelers visiting here can enjoy kayaking across the tranquil surface of the lake, immersing themselves in the pristine nature and discovering the unique charm of Mat Rong Island.
Kayaking at Mat Rong Island is a fascinating experience
3. Discovering Ancient Ceramic Shards
When the lake water recedes, numerous ancient pottery and ceramic shards are exposed along the banks. Washed ashore by the waves, these fragments carry captivating tales about the island’s historical past.
Ceramic shards scattered around the lake, believed to be remnants of large jars and urns
Ceramic shards scattered around the lake
According to local folklore, these fragments belonged to jars once used to hold human ashes. Ancient fishermen held deep spiritual beliefs tied closely to the sea. They believed that rescuing a drowning person would result in paying with one’s own life, as those who died at sea belonged to the ocean and could not be buried on the mainland. There were two traditional ways to handle burials at sea: wrapping the body in fabric or matting, attaching it to a boulder, and sinking it; or cremating the remains, placing the ashes in a ceramic urn, and taking them to a desolate island. Mat Rong Island may have once served as an ancient cemetery for fishing communities, and the island’s caves were likely used to store these ash urns. However, the exact reason why these ceramic urns were shattered into pieces remains an unsolved mystery.
(Detailed information regarding the reasons behind this is kept confidential out of respect for a promise made to the locals).
4. Swimming
The beach on Mat Rong Island
Rich vegetation, hilly terrain, and caves ideal for trekking
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