Overview of Halong Bay

Halong Bay is undoubtedly the most sought-after holiday destination in Vietnam, and for good reasons: it offers a unique cruising experience, breathtaking natural beauty, delectable cuisine, and exciting must-try activities.

Let’s explore this remarkable heritage site with Fola Travel in this article!

Ha Long’s natural beauty

Ha Long Bay covers a large area of over 1.500 square kilometers, containing up to 1.900 limestone islands and over 60 unique-looking caves. Cruising around the bay, visitors can admire the bay’s magnificent panorama of striking islands like green pearls on the sparkling azure water. UNESCO has recognized Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site several times thanks to this surreal ocean scenery.

Halong Bay panorama. — The incredible panorama of Halong Bay.

What is uniquely impressive about Ha Long, besides the incredible natural beauty, is its diversity in biological values. In the bay area are ten different types of ecosystems specific to tropical climate, with around 3000 living flora and fauna species, many of which are rare and endangered. This multifarious picture of Ha Long’s biological environment is a charming point that has brought about countless interests from foreign friends.

The rich history of Ha Long Bay

Ha Long was one of the first cradles of residency for the archaic Vietnamese population. The first living signs found in this area date back to 18.000 years ago. The city has also witnessed many great remarks in Vietnam’s history, which makes its position in Vietnam’s culture even more significant.

There are a lot of exciting tales involving Ha Long and its formation, with the most popular story being that this area was where the Mother Dragon landed (“Hạ” means “land” or “descend,” and “Long” means “dragon”).

panorama of halong islands surrounding la pandora cruise — Stunning view of Halong’s limestone islands.

The islands of Ha Long were the dragon pearls and jewels that she left behind to help the ancient Vietnamese fence their nation against invaders. Different islands and caves in Ha Long also have interesting narratives that local people love to tell, which have sparked curiosity and enjoyment for many tourists.

People and culture of the bay

Ha Long people’s daily customs and practices have always been closely connected to the sea, boats, and oars, and this lifestyle remains popular today. The traditional cultural values are also preserved and developed through intangible practices, such as classical poetry and music, as well as traditional festivals held throughout the year.

The rapid growth in the economy and tourism of the area has affected the resident’s lifestyle immensely. But just like the water surrounding Ha Long, the people here are resilient and flexible. They have found ways to incorporate traditional practices into their day-to-day lives to preserve a part of Ha Long’s long-standing culture.

Panorama of halong bay and a row of floating houses. — Cua Van Fishing Village.

The best time to visit Halong Bay:

As a northern city in Vietnam, Ha Long has four distinctive seasons, each with its own unique beauty and charm. But choosing when to visit this incredible bay is not an easy task. Should we go in the summer when the weather is perfect for swimming? Or should we explore the bay in winter for a quieter and more relaxing trip? Fola Travel is here to answer all these questions.

Halong Bay weather map.

Enjoy exciting activities in Spring

Spring is arguably the most ideal time to visit Ha Long Bay: the weather is always sunny with a clear blue sky, and the rainy season is not here yet. The comfortable weather allows tourists to enjoy outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling in the Ha Long mountains to rowing or taking hydroplanes around the bay.

Halong panorama in spring with islands cruise routes. — Halong Bay’s panorama in Spring.

The heat of Summer is perfect to be in the water

As a seaside city, summer in Ha Long means high temperatures and a lot of unpredictable rains. With an average temperature of around 30 to 35 degrees, tourists unfamiliar with tropical heat and humidity may find Ha Long’s summer extremely uncomfortable. This type of weather, however, is perfect for water activities included in Ha Long tours: swimming, sunbathing, kayaking…

swimming in halong with a big inflatable float — Enjoy swimming in the cool Summer water.

Fall is the peak season of Ha Long Bay travel

It’s the end of the rainy season; the boiling, suffocating heat of the summer months is now gone, replaced by much cooler and more pleasant weather. Fall is no doubt the most beautiful season to go on a Ha Long tour: as the trees are changing leaves, the energetic and vibrant city now takes on a gentle, peaceful atmosphere.

Halong Cave with people on kayaks going through it. — Kayaking through Halong caves in the Fall.

A cruise tour during Ha Long Bay’s winter is awesome

The temperature during winter in Ha Long Bay is the lowest year-round, averaging at about 18 degrees Celsius. The weather is dry, foggy, and chilly, with little to no rain. During the day, the temperature could get higher, so you can enjoy a little swimming here and there in the sun. However, water sports in winter are not as easily accessible as in summer or fall, so you should check the destination availability and plan your day accordingly.

Panorama of Halong Bay on a winter morning with cruises and islands. — Cruising around the bay in Winter.

Location & How to get to Halong Bay?

Halong Bay belongs to Quang Ninh Province, a big city about 170 kilometers southeast of Hanoi Capital. There are many ways to get to Ha Long, either from nearby cities or internationally.

By motorbike or car

Driving yourself to Ha Long is a great option for tourists staying in northern provinces close to the city. Depending on the distance and transportation, it would only take you about 2 – 4 hours to reach Ha Long through the expressway. However, you do need to be familiar with Vietnam’s transport system and routes so as not to get lost on the way, as we need to get through a few provinces. Therefore, this is not recommended for foreign tourists traveling to Vietnam for the first time.

By bus or limousine

This is probably the most common option to get to Ha Long, especially from Hanoi. Most tour packages would include or offer a shuttle bus or limousine to drive tourists from Hanoi straight to Ha Long Bay, so you don’t need to worry about transportation and can just enjoy your Vietnam trip with ease.

If you want to book a taxi or limousine yourself, the prices would be much more expensive than a tour package could offer, but they do provide more privacy than a bus. Whatever it is, buses or limousines are definitely a good way to go from nearby provinces to Ha Long.

By plane

Visitors going to Ha Long from southern provinces or internationally may fly to either Hai Phong or Quang Ninh. Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh and Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong are two big international airports in Vietnam that welcome thousands of tourists to visit Ha Long Bay annually. From these airports, tourists can easily access the bay through other means of transportation, like taking a bus or hiring motorbikes or taxis.

Halong Bay Day Cruises

If you have limited time to visit Halong Bay, a day cruise is an excellent option!

A day cruise allows you to observe Halong Bay’s outstanding natural landscape while also enjoying the refreshing sea wind. You may visit famous spots such as Ti Top Island, the bay’s treasure, Sung Sot Cave, the most beautiful Halong Bay cave, and Luon Cave, which is ideal for kayaking!

Two bamboo boats going through Luon Cave. — Limestone formation in Luon Cave.

On Halong water cruises, you’ll be given wonderful Vietnamese cuisine created with fresh seafood harvested in the water. Even though the trip to Halong Bay is just one day long, it will provide you with many unforgettable memories!

The Hercules Premium Day Cruise, Halong Diamond Day Cruise, Amethyst Day Cruise, Sea Octopus Cruise, and Carnival Day Cruise are some of the well-rated Halong Bay day cruises that you ought to have a look at.

The Hercules Premium Cruise reaching Ti Top Island on the right. — The Hercules Premium Cruise reaching Ti Top Island.

See more: Top Halong Bay Day Cruises.

Halong Bay Overnight Cruises

For those with extra time, try arranging an overnight cruise at Lan Ha Bay.

Imagine spending two or three days on a luxury cruise, sleeping in a hotel-grade accommodation, eating fresh cuisine prepared on board by a skilled chef, and relaxing on the deck amidst the serene Halong Bay landscape of blue water and limestone islands. What could be better?

Overview of the Hermes sundeck and pool from the side. — Hermes Cruise in Halong Bay.

Overnight cruises allow you to spend more time exploring the area and participating in outdoor activities without being rushed, unlike day cruises. As a result, tourists may have a more pleasant and enjoyable trip.

The greatest overnight cruises to explore Halong Bay include the Athena Royal Cruise, Aquamarine Cruise, Lily Luxury Cruise, Hermes Cruise, and Mon Cheri Cruise.

See more: Halong Bay Overnight Cruises.

Infomation

Ha Long Bay is the ultimate vacation spot, but there are just too many places to check out when your time is limited. Beaches, islands, caves, fishing villages, water parks… which ones you should visit? Let’s find out with Fola Travel!

Ha Long Bay

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay offers visitors an outstanding view of thousands of karst islands nestled in the calm, blue ocean, exuding an incredible sense of peace and tranquility.

Lan Ha Bay

A gift from Mother Nature, Lan Ha Bay spans over 7000 square kilometers. It is home to more than 100 large and small islands, as well as several picturesque beaches with unspoiled, wild beauty.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay has a captivating beauty of hundreds of islands that stand still through time, numerous immaculate beaches, and enigmatic caverns.

Ti Top Island

As a popular stop on a Ha Long cruise trip, Ti Top Island will leave visitors ecstatic with its wild, romantic, peaceful beauty of green mountains and blue sea.

Bo Hon Island

Known as Ha Long’s “cave paradise”, Bo Hon Island has many caves you should check out, such as Sung Sot Cave, Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, and more.

Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave is a popular tourist attraction in Ha Long Bay and is proudly listed by CNN Travel Magazine as one of Vietnam’s seven most beautiful caves.

Dau Go Cave

Located 27 meters above sea level, Dau Go cave is believed to have developed some 2 million years ago, making it one of Ha Long Bay’s oldest caverns.

Thien Cung Cave

The cave is aptly named Thien Cung, which means “sky palace,” since it contains a layer of phosphorescent light that generates a magnificent heaven-like light.

Sang Toi Cave

Sang Toi, or Dark & Light Cave, is a nearly 100-meter-long cave tucked in Lan Ha Bay and is one popular stop for most Ha Long cruise guests to enjoy kayaking.

Luon Cave

Luon Cave is among the famous caves on Bo Hon Island, known for its picturesque natural scenery of green mountains and crystal-clear water flowing under the stalactites.

Tien Ong Cave

Visitors to Tien Ong Cave will be mesmerized by the enchanted limestone stalactites and the display of artifacts from local archeological excavations, proving that life existed offshore in Halong Bay thousands of years ago.

Thien Canh Son Cave

Thien Canh Son Cave attracts tourists with shimmering stalactites and stalagmites forming unexpected shapes, such as a chandelier or flowers, creating a stunning cave scene that will leave you breathless.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village

When coming to Vung Vieng fishing village, you can sense the vibrant and busy spirit of the locals, with cheerful laughter and entertaining fishing songs filling the air.

Cua Van Fishing Village

Cua Van Fishing Village retains a wild, lyrical natural beauty and simple local life that many visitors want to discover.

Colorful houses under big islands in Halong Bay. — Colorful life in Cua Van Fishing Village.

Sun World Halong Park

Sun World Ha Long is famous for its many areas of entertainment, including a water park, a game park, an aerial tramway with a view of Ha Long City and the seaside, a Japanese garden section with romantic scenery, restaurants featuring culinary quintessence from many countries around the world, and numerous shopping and other service malls.

Overview of the water park in Sunworld amusement park. — Sunworld Halong has countless games and entertainment areas.

Kayaking or taking boat rides around the bay

On a Halong Bay cruise tour, sightseers can rent a boat or kayak to admire the magnetic beauty of the bay right in front of them.

Kayaking through a cave in Halong Bay. — Explore Halong Bay on a kayak.

Swimming, diving, and enjoying water sports

Nothing is better on a hot summer day than jumping into the cool water, swimming around the bay, or relaxing on the sandy beach, taking in the magnificent ocean and islands.

guests Enjoy swimming in the cool water — Enjoy swimming in the cool water.

Squid fishing

There are two squid seasons in a year when you can easily catch big squids and enjoy them grilled right on deck! Various Halong Bay cruises include squid fishing hours in their itinerary, so check it out!

Hydroplane

From a height up to 300 meters above the ground, tourists can admire the harmonious picture of Ha Long’s sea and limestone islands and witness the daily activities of locals on the bay.

Rock climbing

Climbing to the top of Halong Bay mountains, you can capture the panorama of Ha Long Bay in all of its glory, from the blue sea and sky mirroring each other to rows of islands afar.

A person climb on a big rock island. — Climbing mountains in Halong Bay.

Visiting Quang Ninh Museum

Not only does it have an impressive appearance, but the Quang Ninh Museum also amazes tourists with its three floors of themed exhibitions. The museum’s interesting artifacts and pictures will help tourists get a complete overview of Ha Long’s history and development and the people and nature surrounding it.

Exterior of Quang Ninh museum. — The unique exterior of Quang Ninh Museum.

As a seaside city, Ha Long has many signature dishes you cannot find anywhere else, especially seafood delicacies. So prepare your stomach for a Ha Long cruise trip, because you will certainly eat a lot! Some of the foods that tourists have highly complimented include:

Seafood

Ha Long has an abundant source of seafood, everything from fish, shrimp, and crab, as well as squid, octopus, oyster, abalone, and many other varieties.

A bowl of big shrimp and small shrimps. — Enjoy the freshest seafood in Halong Bay.

Steamed rice rolls with squid cake (Banh Cuon Cha Muc)

These wonderful steamed rice rolls with plump squid cakes are a popular breakfast choice for Ha Long residents and all Vietnamese people, so you should definitely try it out!

A plate of banh cuon with quid cakes. — Halong’s signature “Banh Cuon Cha Muc”.

Mantis shrimp noodles (Bun Be Be)

Mantis shrimp is a typical seafood in Ha Long cuisine, but the most famous dish is mantis shrimp noodles. It has firm and fresh mantis shrimp, crispy fried tofu cubes, and fragrant local herbs.

A bowl of noodles with tofu cubes and seafood. — A hot bowl of Bun Be Be is the perfect breakfast.

Stone crab noodles (Bun Cu Ky)

This simple dish of vermicelli noodles, stone crab claws, lean pork, and herbs has such amazing flavor you would undoubtedly want a second bowl.

A bowl of noodles with a spoon holding some seafood. — Enjoy fresh Cu Ky with noodles.

Ha Long handmade yogurt with tapioca pearls

This is a signature sweet treat of Ha Long, with silk yogurt and chewy tapioca pearls, topped with anything from fresh and dried fruits to syrups and chocolate.

Two cups of Halong Bay yogurt with mango and strawberry toppings. — Various topping selections of Halong Bay handmade yogurt.

Oyster porridge (Chao Hau Sua)

The most simple dish yet delicious is oyster porridge – warm, soft, and fragrant. A bowl of oyster porridge on a cold day by the bay will instantly warm you up, preparing you for an exciting day ahead.

A bowl of rice porridge with oysters. — A bowl of oyster porridge.

Seaworm (Sa Sung)

Even though raw Sa Sung is not for everyone because of its scary-looking appearance, dried seaworm is a standard gift that Ha Long tourists often bring home for family and friends.

Sa sung porridge. — Porridge with Sa Sung and other seafood.

Horseshoe crab (Sam Bien)

This interesting-looking sea creature has firm and fragrant meat. You can find many delights made from horseshoe crab: soup, sausage, omelet, salad… all are delicious!

Dishes made with horseshoe crabs. — Dishes made from Sam Bien.

As a developed city in Vietnam, there are many options for accommodation in the city, from low-budget homestays and hotels to luxury resorts, villas, and even cruise ships. Rental prices range from a few hundred thousand to a few million VND a night, depending on what you choose.

Ha Long City is divided into two areas: Bai Chay and Hon Gai. Bai Chay tends to have more tourist facilities, hotels, and restaurants, while Hon Gai is mainly residential.

If you choose to stay in a more comfortable and affordable homestay, you can refer to places like The Bay, Halong Ginger, Orestay, and Deja Vu House. These places are great for solo travelers or groups of friends who want to be on a budget. The rooms are lovely and quite spacious, and the rent is cheap: only 200-500,000 dong per night.

The floating homestay on the water with guests sitting in the front. — Floating Homestay in Halong.

For more deluxe options, FLC Grand Hotel, Wyndham Legend Halong, Novotel, Muong Thanh System, and Royal Lotus… are perfect. Ha Long also has many 5-star resorts, including Vinpearl Resort and Spa, Oakwood Ha Long, and many more. Staying at these high-end spots means having an incredible view of Ha Long City from your window, a fully-equipped room and amenities, as well as state-of-the-art facilities like pools, saunas, gyms, etc.

FLC hotel in Halong Bay. — FLC Grand Hotel Halong.

Tourists who don’t want to stay on land can spend the night on Ha Long Bay cruises, as most cruises would offer an option to sleep on deck if the trip is longer than a day. You can then enjoy the night view of Ha Long Bay until as late as you want!

Fola Travel is proud to have connections with some of the best hotels, resorts, and villas in Ha Long, guaranteeing to bring you the best service and the most fantastic time in Ha Long Bay. Look at our packaged tours above or contact Fola Travel at Hotline/Whatsapp +84986.332.366 for a 24/7 consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong Bay ports?

The two popular ports for Halong Bay cruises are Tuan Chau Marina and Halong International Cruise Port, both have similar distances to Hanoi City. With the recent expressway Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong, it only takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay harbors!

You can take a little break halfway through the journey to have breakfast or use the bathrooms. The vehicle will continue transporting you to the port after fifteen to thirty minutes.

2. Is it safe to travel to Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long is a safe city to travel to. The streets here have a low crime and pickpocket rate, and the locals are welcoming and friendly. However, it is always advised that you travel with a trustworthy company that helps book your hotels and transportation, where you can make sure it is legit and secure.

During summer, Ha Long may experience heavy rains that could turn into flooding and landslides, which could be dangerous. Therefore, it is essential that you research the weather before booking your tour, as well as follow authorities’ guidance in case of emergency.

Fola Travel guarantees our customers a safe and secure trip with reputable hotels and service houses so you can travel without worry. Access our 24/7 consulting Hotline/Whatsapp at +84986.332.366 for more details.

3. How much do I tip in Ha Long Bay?

Since tipping is not a part of Vietnamese culture, you don’t have to tip anywhere when traveling. It is, however, a great way to show your appreciation to the staff and locals who provide you with good services, and they will highly appreciate that.

If you are unsure how much is enough, Fola Travel recommends about US $2–5 depending on the service: how long it is, how much work they do, and how satisfied you are.

4. Do I need to bring cash?

Even though the majority of Ha Long (and Vietnam) locals still use cash, card payment is getting more and more popular; hence, you can find QR codes everywhere now, from coffee shops to market stalls.

If you book a packaged tour, most service fees are already included in the tour price, so you actually don’t have to pay for anything. However, living like a local is a fun experience, so if it’s something you want to try, you can ask your hotel to change some cash to buy local foods and crafts!

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