Halong Bay has been recognized multiple times by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, with thousands of islands formed by spectacular and vibrant natural formations. Halong Bay’s stunning scenery makes it a highly attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers.
I. Where is Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is a small bay located on the western shore of the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. It encompasses the island waters of Ha Long City in Quang Ninh Province. Halong Bay covers an area of approximately 1,553 km2, including 1,969 large and small islands. Most of these are limestone islands, with the core area of the bay covering 335 km2 and densely dotted with 775 islands.
II. How to Get to Ha Long Bay
By Bus:
The cheapest way to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay is by bus. Like anywhere else in the world, buses are a budget-friendly mode of transportation. This option allows you to learn more about the daily lives of Vietnamese people. However, like other public transportation in Vietnam, buses have their drawbacks, which may deter foreign tourists from choosing them.
Traveling by bus is a unique way to experience the local culture. However, foreign tourists may have difficulty fully understanding Vietnamese bus customs or exchanging information with the driver. Additionally, in cases of breakdowns or missed stops, you may easily get lost. For travelers with only a day’s time, this may not be the optimal choice, as you’ll have to leave Halong Bay early to travel back, thus cutting your journey short.
By Tourist Bus:
In contrast to regular buses, tourist buses offer more convenience and comfort. These buses are owned by travel companies and cater to the needs of foreign tourists. The route starts from the Old Quarter, the center of Hanoi. Travelers can easily take a taxi to the meeting point. There are also high-quality bus companies, like Hoang Long Express. Many bus routes depart every 15 minutes from Kim Ma Bus Station on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.
Private Car/Taxi:
This is a convenient mode of transportation, albeit not the most economical. The travel time is around 4 hours. However, renting a taxi or car will provide you with more privacy. This option is suitable for families carrying a lot of luggage, a group of friends who want to comfortably converse without worrying about their surroundings, or individuals on business trips who want to focus on work during the journey. Most hotels offer shuttle services for guests via car. The service includes renting a car to travel to the airport.
III. Best Time to Visit Halong Bay
Halong Bay is the most captivating coastal bay in Vietnam, so knowing the best time to visit Halong is something everyone wants to know.
- For foreign tourists, they prefer to visit in the winter, around November to Tet (Vietnamese New Year). This is during their holiday season.
- For domestic tourists, they often visit Halong more in the summer, around May to July. This is during the summer vacation of students and families.
The weather in Halong changes from month to month and varies significantly in each season, so make sure to carefully check the weather forecast before your trip. The timing of visiting Halong Bay can be divided into the following periods:
- April to June are the ideal times to visit Halong Bay. During this time, the weather is almost rain-free, warm, and pleasant, making it perfect for sightseeing and relaxation with family and friends.
- June to August is the peak season in Halong Bay, as many families combine vacations for their children, resulting in a high influx of tourists, and room rates and services are likely to increase. This time of year is summer, and especially in July and August, tropical depressions and storms are common, directly affecting the travel itinerary of tourists to Halong.
- Late November to early October is the time when foreign tourists visit Halong Bay. Meanwhile, Vietnamese tourists mostly choose to come here in the summer, so during this time, Halong is also peaceful and offers more privacy for you to enjoy.
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IV. Tourist Attractions in Halong Bay
1. Fighting Cocks Islet (Hon Trong Mai)
Also known as the Fighting Cocks Islet or Hon Trong Mai, it lies in the southwest of Halong Bay, about 5km from Bai Chay Beach. From the Bai Chay wharf, heading southwest, passing Dog Rock and Lu Huong Peak, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the image of the Cock Fighting Rock, resembling two giant chickens (a male and a female) with a height of about 10m, flapping their wings on the vast sea.
2. Wooden Stakes Cave (Hang Dau Go)
Amidst the picturesque landscape of Halong’s skies and waters lies a cave with a very rustic and simple name: Wooden Stakes Cave. The cave is located on Dau Go Island. From afar, the cave entrance resembles the shape of a blue jellyfish, with 90 stone steps leading to it. The cave’s ceiling is about 25 meters high, with hundreds of giant stalactites hanging down like a strange waterfall.
The cave is divided into three main compartments. The outer compartment features a vaulted ceiling overflowing with natural light, while the cave’s ceiling serves as a giant “oil painting,” depicting a pristine natural landscape with rocky forests and colorful rock formations creating various bizarre shapes depending on each person’s rich imagination: herds of elephants foraging, bewildered deer, a drowsy lion…
Below is a turtle swimming in the vast expanse of water. Standing beneath the cave’s vault, one feels as if standing in the midst of an ancient castle with majestic and grandiose architectural features.
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3. Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot)
Located in the central area of the Halong Bay World Heritage Site, Surprise Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in Halong, and it is also where many unique-shaped stone islands are concentrated.
The path leading to Surprise Cave winds under the forest canopy, with stone steps zigzagging up, giving visitors the thrill of mountain climbing and the excitement of ascending to the heavens.
4. Virgin Cave (Hang Trinh Nu)
Virgin Cave is located on Bo Hon Island along with the Surprise Cave system, the Fairy Lake, and the Luon Cave, about 15km south of Bai Chay. For fishermen, this cave is their beloved home, while lovers consider it a symbol and a place of commitment for their love. Upon entering the Virgin Cave, in the heart of the cave, there is a stone statue of a girl lying with her long hair spread out, her eyes looking out to the distant sea, waiting and longing.
5. Three Palace Cave (Dong Tam Cung)
The Three Palace Cave is located in the center of Halong Bay, 5 kilometers northeast of Surprise Cave. The cave is divided into three chambers, meandering through each rock crevice.
Inside the cave, there are many beautiful stalactites. In all three chambers, stalactites create vivid natural shapes such as old fairies with flowing silver beards, three silent gods, delicate white orchids, lions, seals, water goddess statues, etc. The Three Palace Cave is located on May Den Island, an island almost isolated from the others. May Den Island’s towering cliffs and lush greenery add to its charm.
6. Heavenly Palace Cave (Dong Thien Cung)
Located in the southwest of Halong Bay, 4km from the tourist pier, on Dau Go Island, at an altitude of 25m above sea level, The path to Heavenly Palace Cave is steep and winding, with trees covering both sides.
Through a narrow entrance, the cave suddenly opens up into a rectangular space over 130 meters long. As you go further inside, you will be amazed by the incredibly lively and magnificent beauty created by the stalactites.
On the eastern wall of the cave is a magnificent mural depicting characters from ancient fairy tales, with soft, graceful lines and incredibly delicate details, each large or small sculpture meticulously crafted by nature’s hand.
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7. Titop Island
Unlike many other tourist spots in Halong Bay, besides the beautiful natural scenery and the romantic combination of mountains and water, Titop Island also boasts a stunning beach called Titop Beach. Here, tourists can climb to the top of the mountain to admire the panoramic view of this beautiful island.
From above, Titop Beach resembles a crescent moon embracing the foot of the island. The sand on Titop Beach is continuously washed by the tidal water, leaving it clean and white, with the sea water crystal clear throughout the year.
Click Here: Halong Bay Islands
V. Things to Do in Halong Bay
1. Queen Cable Car
This is another attraction within the SunWorld Halong Park complex. The Queen Cable Car offers tourists breathtaking views of Halong Bay’s natural beauty. As you travel along the cable line, you won’t be able to resist capturing every moment.
Visitors will be amazed and praised, as nowhere else offers such a wonderful experience. Children will also enjoy the unique experience of crossing the sea in a cable car. With the ability to admire both the sky above and the sea below, this experience is suitable for all tourists.
2. Kayaking and canoeing
A Halong Bay vacation is incomplete without spending time on water activities. If you want to experience the thrill of paddling around the most beautiful spots in the area, you can join a kayaking or bamboo boat discovery journey around the bay. Bring a waterproof camera to capture the most beautiful moments of the journey. Make sure you have protective gear for your equipment.
3. Exploring mysterious caves
For those who have experience traveling to Halong Bay, exploring caves is definitely an activity not to be missed. Halong is not only famous for its long stretches of blue beaches and white sand shores but also for its many mysterious and fascinating caves. This is an excellent destination for domestic and international tourists to visit and admire the pristine caves formed millions of years ago.
4. Boat Cruising Around the Emerald Islands
One of the most popular activities in Halong is cruising around the Emerald Islands. Nowadays, many travel companies provide luxurious sightseeing tours. You can choose a one-day itinerary to explore Halong Bay on a cruise ship or experience overnight stays on the bay if you have time. Most Halong cruises are very luxurious and modern, offering many attentive services. Each ship will have different itineraries and sightseeing routes, suitable for the needs of tourists. Your vacation will be perfect if you experience this wonderful activity.
Star your journey with: 1 Day to Explore Ha Long Bay
5. Leisure Fishing on the Bay
On Halong Bay, going fishing with the locals can be considered the most unique activity among the known tourist activities. Meet some fishermen here, learn a bit about the local fishing traditions, and try your luck with them at dawn. During the trip, tourists will not only enjoy the beautiful scenery of Halong and nearby bays but also witness how the locals catch fish and listen to stories about their experiences navigating the waters.
6. Visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village
Vung Vieng fishing village is an ideal place for tourists to observe the local people living on the bay, learn about the gentle and simple fishermen’s habits, and enjoy the activities on their floating houses. Let’s visit this fishing village on a traditional bamboo boat and chat with the local people.
Step onto a bamboo boat and embark on a leisurely journey through the Vung Vieng floating fishing village, capturing simple moments as well as the perfect combination of nature and humanity. Local fishermen have spent their entire lives here, in small houses connected by floating rafts. They raise fish in the grid-like areas or by going on a boat to the open sea, tourists can engage in fishing activities to catch seafood. Visitors can also visit some houses and stop by the floating school in the village.
Read more: Halong Bay Floating Villages
7. Dinner in a Cave at Halong Bay
The limestone islands of Halong Bay harbor numerous caves, many of which conceal astonishing geological formations. Special dinners are arranged in these spectacular locations, illuminated by warm candlelight, with delicious meals that will provide a truly romantic and memorable experience.
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8. Night Squid Fishing on Halong Bay Cruises
Squid fishing is a simple entertainment activity on Halong Bay cruises when night falls. Lucky ones might even enjoy a dinner with freshly caught squid from Halong Bay. The crew of the cruise ship will install a lighting system on the water’s surface, providing guests with a fishing rod, line, and squid net to try their luck in the dark waters of the bay. If you visit during the right season, when there are plenty of squid in Halong Bay, you’ll have a night filled with abundant catches and joyful laughter.
VI. Choosing Halong Bay Tours
Selecting the right Halong Bay tour can make a significant difference in your experience, depending on how much time you have and what you wish to explore. Here’s a comparison of the most popular tour options: half-day tours, full-day tours, and overnight cruises.
1. Half-Day Tours
Half-day tours are ideal for travelers on a tight schedule who want a quick yet scenic introduction to Halong Bay’s beauty. These tours usually last around 4-5 hours and typically cover a limited area of the bay.
Highlights:
- A short cruise through some of the most iconic limestone islands and karsts.
- Limited stops, usually at one or two key spots such as Thien Cung Cave or Dau Go Cave.
- A brief kayaking session or bamboo boat ride in sheltered areas (if included).
2. Full-Day Tours
Full-day tours offer a more comprehensive exploration, lasting around 8-10 hours. These tours allow you to see more of Halong Bay’s famed attractions without the commitment of an overnight stay.
Highlights:
- Visits to multiple famous sites, such as Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), Titop Island (where you can hike for a panoramic view), and various fishing villages.
- Opportunities for kayaking, swimming, or a bamboo boat excursion.
- Some tours include onboard lunch with fresh seafood and local cuisine.
3. Overnight Cruises
Overnight cruises are the most immersive and popular option for visitors who want to fully experience Halong Bay’s scenic wonders. These cruises usually last from 1 to 3 nights, offering a complete getaway amid Halong’s serene landscapes.
Highlights:
- Extended routes cover more remote parts of the bay and less-visited areas, such as Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
- Multiple activities include kayaking, swimming, night squid fishing, morning Tai Chi sessions, and cooking classes.
- Onboard accommodations range from budget cabins to luxurious suites with private balconies.
- Fine dining experiences with Vietnamese and international cuisine, often with an option for a sunset dinner on deck.
In conclusion, Halong Bay is a breathtaking blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and memorable experiences, making it one of Vietnam’s most iconic travel destinations. Its mesmerizing limestone islands, serene emerald waters, and unique coastal culture offer visitors an unparalleled sense of wonder and adventure. Whether you’re exploring on a luxury cruise, immersing yourself in local fishing village life, or kayaking through hidden caves, Halong Bay promises an experience that resonates long after the journey ends. For a truly unforgettable getaway, plan your visit to Halong Bay and discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to capture the hearts of travelers worldwide. Book your tour today to experience the magic of Halong Bay firsthand!
See more: Halong Bay travel tips
