The island was officially named Ti Top by Ho Chi Minh to commemorate the visit of cosmonaut Gherman Titov.
A statue of Gherman Titov stands near the entrance of the beach area.
The island is geologically composed of limestone and is one of the few places in Ha Long Bay with a dedicated sandy swimming beach.
The ascent to the viewpoint involves climbing approximately 400 stone steps.
The beach is entirely man-made in terms of maintenance; sand is regularly imported to replenish the shoreline eroded by tides.
Ti Top Beach is a crescent-shaped sandy beach located on the small Ti Top Island within Ha Long Bay. The island is named after the Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who visited the site with Ho Chi Minh in 1962. Access to the beach is limited to tourists traveling via organized boat cruises through the UNESCO World Heritage site. The beach features a steep staircase leading to a high-altitude observation deck at the island's summit. This deck provides a panoramic 360-degree view of the karst limestone pillars characteristic of the bay. The shoreline area is relatively small and predominantly serves as a stopover for swimming and climbing activities. Infrastructure on the island includes a small kiosk, changing rooms, and a shower area.
The mid-way rest point on the staircase offers the most balanced frame of the beach, the surrounding jade-colored water, and the distant limestone karsts.
Wear footwear with good traction, as the stone steps to the viewpoint can be slippery if damp.
Bring a waterproof bag for your belongings, as secure storage is limited on the beach.
Plan to visit the summit first to avoid the midday heat, then cool off with a swim.
Attempting to swim far from the shore, as boat traffic in the surrounding bay is constant and unpredictable.
Access may be restricted during extreme weather events or typhoon season common in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Swimwear is appropriate for the beach, but modest attire covering shoulders and knees is recommended for the observation deck area.
