Halong bay is surrounded by Halong and Cam Pha cities and Van Dong island province. Halong is recognized as World’s Natural Heritage by UNESCO. To Halong, visitors will cruise to enjoy the stunning beauty of the bay with thousand limestone islands and grandiose fossil caves. Some significant places for your visit include, islands of Hon Coc, Ga Choi, Titop, Ngoc Vung, Sung Sot, Thien Cung, Dau Go caves and Bai Tu Long Bay.

Below are the best tips for your travel to Halong which are about the food, transport, culture and places to see.

How to travel to Ha Long Bay 

1. By car or by motorbike

The route is Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Halong: 155km. This is the shortest way from Hanoi to Halong which takes about 3 hours for car driving.

The route from Noi Bai airport to Halong Bay: 160km.  Depart from Noi Bai then go past Bac Ninh province reaching highway 18, then passing Pha Lai, Sao Do, Dong Trieu, Uong Bi and Halong.

2. By bus

Travelers can take some reliable buses pick-up from My DInh station. The earliest one is started at 06AM and the last one at 5PM (takes about 3-4 hours). There is a bus departing every 15 minutes to Bai Chay station in Halong. The fare is about VND 100,000/person (US $5) or VND 200,000/person (US $10) for sleeper buses.

3. By seaplane

Currently, besides the normal modes of transport, travelers can take the modern and luxury Hai Au seaplane.

There are two seats for pilots and 12 seats for passengers with large windows. The seaplane will not only save your time but also offer a great of comfort and wonderful view from the sky. During the trip, we can record the memorable moments of Halong Bay from the height of 150 meters to 3,000 meters above the sea level.

How to travel in Ha Long Bay 

1. By local taxi

There are many taxi companies for your choices such as:

• Mai Linh: 033 3628 628
• Hạ Long: 033 362 62 62.
• Hong Gai: 033 384 84 84
• Thanh Hung: 033. 3659659
• Sao Mai: 033. 3822822
• Đông Bắc: 033. 3828282

2. By day or overnight cruises

We can take cruises at two ports including: Tuan Chau international ports and Hon Gai Vinashine port.

The ticket fees are different based on their types: price of day cruise per hour from VND 250,000 (US $12 - standard class) to VND 600,000 (US $28 - Class 1). For the overnight cruise including transfer, accommodation services per 2 days 1 night: from VND 700,000 (US $35 – 1-star) to VND 5,000,000 (US $250 – 2-star).

There are some reliable cruises and chosen by many travelers in Halong Bay such as, Signature, Victoria, Bhaya, Dragon Legend, the Au Co, Grayline, V’spirit, Swan…

Best hotels in Halong Bay

1. Wyndham Legen Halong Bay

Is located in Bai Chay which is about 2.3 km from Halong city. All rooms are fully-furnished with the great view to Halong Bay. There are some facilities including: outdoor swimming pool, gym or restaurant…

2. Vinpearl Halong Bay resort

Is located on Reu island, Bai Chay, Halong. Vinpearl Halong is a 5-star hotel with 384 rooms. Each room has a balcony with a wonderful view of Halong Bay. The hotel is located separately with the others, so we will have our own space when staying here.

3. Royal Lotus Halong

Is a 4-star hotel located in Bai Chay near Bai Chay market and dolphin training center, Tuan Chau port and Tuan Chau opera house.

4. City Bay palace Halong

Is a 3-star hotel located right at the center of Hon Gai city. The hotel is designed based on the European architecture. From the hotel, we will have a panoramic view of Halong Bay and Halong city as well. It is about 5 minutes walking to the port.

5. Starcity Halong

Is a 4-star hotel with 11 floors located at Bai Chay tourism area so guests will enjoy the fabulous beauty of Halong.

What to see in Ha Long

There are some routes to visit in Halong as following:

Route 1: Tuan Chau international marina – Van Canh park

Thien Cung – Dau Go – Cho Da – Ba Hang fishing village – Dinh Huong and Trong Mai

Route 2: Tuan Chau international marina – park of caves

Soi Sim beach - Ti top - Hang Sung Sot - Me Cung grotto - Bo Nau cave - Luon cave - Trong cave - Trinh Nu cave - Ho Dong Tien cave

Route 3: Tuan Chau International Marina – Center for Marine Culture Conservation

Cua Van Floating Cultural Center - Tien Ong cave - Ba Ham lake - Ba Men temple -Du Lagoon

Route 4: Tuan Chau International Marina – sea entertainment center

Co cave - Thay cave - Cong Do - Cap La cave - Vong Vieng - Lagoon ecological zone – Cong Do - Xe islet park

Route 5: Tuan Chau International Marina – Gia Luan wharf

Cat Ba – Hai Phong - Thien Cung - Dau Go - Cho Da islet - Ba Hang cave - Dinh Huong islet - Trong Mai islet

The center of Ha Long 

Thien Cung (Heaven palace) cave: is located to the North of Dau Go island and 4km from Tuan Chau international marina to the South. Thien Cung is one of the most marvelous caves in Halong Bay. The cave is nearly 10,000 m² wide and has a complicated structure including levels, high walls and ceilings. In particular, in the cave we can see many interesting stalactites with unique shapes.

Dau Go (wooden head) cave: located on the island range of Dau Go, 300 meters from Thien Cung. Dau Go is a beautiful and wide caves with the old features which called as “cave of wonders” by the French. The cave has a diversified flora and fauna. Because the gate of cave is wide so the humidity is high, along with the affection of sunshine which make the plants developed. This is the significant difference with others.

Me Cung (Maze) cave: is located on the height of 25 meters on Lom Bo island which is 2 km to the Southwest of Titop island. From a distance, the cave gate looks like a large house roof. The cave has a complicated structure with levels, parts spreading in the cave. From the top of the cave, we can see a small lake named as Maze.

Hang Trong (Male) and Trinh Nu (Virgin) caves: located on two sides of a small mountain in Bo Hon island range which is 3 km from Sung Sot cave to the Southeast. These two caves are located about 700 meters from each other. From this cave, we can see the gate of the other. Both caves are very wonderful with beautiful stalactites and scenery. At a cave, there is a stone like a girl letting her hair down and it is called as Virgin cave. The other has a large and high stalactite look like a man looking at the sea.

Soi Sim island: is located on the west of Halong Bay, 12 km from Bai Chay port and 700 meters from Titop island. There is a primeval forest with a diversified fauna on the island. According to the locals, there are numerous rose myrtle trees on the island so the locals gave its name to the island.

Titop island: has a steep slope with white sandy beach where overnight junks often anchor. Visitors can either swim or climb up the top of the mountain to have a wonderful view. From the top of the mountain, Titop beach looks like the moon holding the island. Unlike other tourist places in Halong with beautiful landscape, Titop offers a nice beach which is called Titop as well. The beach is not quite large, but tranquil and clean.

Luon cave: Halong is very proud of its large complex of caves in which each has its own beauty and legend story. One of the significant caves in Halong is Luon which is located on Bo Hon island, 4 km from Bai Chay. You can see many million-year stalactites with different shapes.

Sung Sot (Suspiring) cave: is located in the center or Halong on Bo Hon island. Sung Sot cave is the center of many famous places such as, Titop beach, Bo Nau, Me Cung, Luon and Sung So caves and was named as “Grotto of surprises”.

Bai Chay: is the tourist place which runs along the shore of Halong Bay. This place is for relaxing and beach activities.

Tuan Chau island: is the most beautiful island amongst 1,969 islands in Halong and is the only island which people live on. There is a largest artifact beach in Vietnam on the island.

Cua Van fishing village: is one of the most significant Vietnamese feature of Halong. In the village, visitors will not only see the tranquil space, but also find the local cultures and customs such as, learning riding sampan, spreading a net or fishing…

Ha Long surroundings

Quan Lan island: belongs to Van Don island province, 55 km from Halong city. The island is famous for its beautiful beach which attracts tourists not only for fresh air, clean water but also the pure and primeval forests. There are many historical and cultural relics which recorded the feat of arms from generation to generation. In particular, traveling to Quan Lan in summer, we cannot miss relaxing on the beaches including Son Hao and Chan Tien…For overnight on the island, we can choose the homestay or hotels close to the beach and join interesting activities with the locals such as, fishing…

Ngoc Vung island: is an island with the square of 30 km belong to Bai Tu Long bay which is 40 km from Cam Pha commune and 35km from Tuan Chau international marina. In the past, the locals on this island used to cultivate pearl oyster under the sea. The pearl here is very famous for its beauty. From the distance, at night on the boats we can see the light of pearls due to the countless pearl oysters.

Mat Rong (Dragon’s eyes) island: has a square of 30 hectares. The island is locally known as Bai Dong island. Mat Rong is located to the South of Halong Bay bordering with Lan Ha Bay. The most attractive feature of this island is the pristine and original beauty. If permitted, you should take a seaplane to enjoy the beauty of this island and you will find the answer of island’s name. The island is surrounded by grandiose mountains and you will be dipped into its landscape as soon as reaching it.

Bai Tho mountain: is located in the central city with a unique shape which attracts the visitors at first sight. From different angles, the mountains look like a hunting tiger, lion or flying dragon. From the top of Bai Tho (168m) – the highest mountain in Halong, visitor will have a wonderful panoramic view of Halong city.

Quang Ninh museum: the museum – library of Quang Ninh is a unique architecture. The museum is designed in a modern style in the total black which look like a minor from afar. Go inside, visitors will be immersed into the large space. With the three-floors, the museum will give visitors a complete view of the nature and people in Quang Ninh. The museum opens everyday for 8am to 5pm. Entrance fee is VND 30,000 (US $1.3) per adult and VND 15,000 (US $0.7) per student and VND 10,000 (US $0.9) per children.

Nu Hoang cable car: crossing Cua Luc bay and connecting Bai Chay and Ba Deo (Hon Gai), you will be dipped into the landscape and beauty of Halong Bay from the car. It is really wonderful even whenever you travel. Located on the top of Ba Deo hill. Besides, you should can also enjoy Halong through the sun wheel which is the second biggest one in Vietnam. On the wheel, you will see Halong on the height of 215m above the sea level.

What to do in Ha Long Bay 

1. Kayaking

It is a pity if you visit Halong without doing kayak. It is a wonderful experience when riding a small kayak and enjoy the marvelous natural beauty. Halong Bay was ranked by National Geographic Adventures as one of 25 best places for kayaking in all over the world. In Halong, there are many places offering kayak service (at the ports or on the islands), the kayak fee is from VND 100,000 (US$5) to VND 200,000 (US$10) per hour depending on the capacity (1 to 3 seats).

2. Overnight on boat 

The junks in Halong look like small hotels with separately full-furnished rooms with luxury services such as, spa, restaurant and bar…It is quite interesting that you relax at your own room and enjoy the wonderful landscape through the windows. In the evening, you can go up the dock to join great activities of the junks or just enjoy the beautiful sky at night.

3. Enjoy the beautiful Halong from seaplane

If traveling on the junks are not enough, you can take the seaplane which will bring you all angles of the bay. Some travelers have said that this is the best way to feast the eyes on Halong Bay’s scenery. Currently, Hai Au is the first aviation company offering this service. There are 02 seats for pilots and 12 seats for passengers. From the plane, you will record unforgettable moments of their trip in Halong. In particular, enjoying Halong from the seaplane is voted as the most attractive activities in 2015 by The New York Times.

4. Experience mountain-climbing

Halong is not only attracted by its stunning landscape, but also by diversified terrains which is perfect for mountain climbers. If you are mountain climbers, it is sure that the steep cliffs and fabulous mountains will give you a magnificent experience.

5. Exploring beautiful caves

Halong is considered as a watercolor painting which endowed with a perfect beauty. Besides the sea and limestone mountain, this place is famous for its stunning and unique caves. Each cave has its own interesting name which excites the curiosity of visitors such as, heaven palace, Surprising, Luon, Wooden head or Hanh…

6. Visiting fishing villages

Leave the light and busy city behind, you will enjoy the simple and tranquil villages which are ideal stop during your trip. There are some destinations including Vung Vieng, Cua Van or Ba Hang…You can rent the boat at the tourist ports of Halong.

What to eat in Ha Long 

Halong is not only famous for its stunning landscape but also local specialties with the taste of sea. Below are some specialties which cannot be missed when visiting Halong.

1. Sticky rice with grilled chopped squid

Sticky rice with golden grilled chopped squid is dipped into the fish sauce and pepper making delicious breakfast or lunch. The price is from VND 15,000 (US$0.6) to VND 20,000 (US$ 0.8) per plate. You can also buy only grilled squid with the price of VND 250,000 (US$12) per kg.

2. Ngan dish

Is a bivalve mollusk like clam which can be processed in many ways such as, grilled, steamed, making soup or fried with noodle…Ngan can be used to make wine which has its own taste. You can try it at many restaurants in Halong.

3. Peanut worm

is also called as sand worm which may be found in Halong. Fresh peanut worm is fried with garlic spkes making a delicious dish. You can dry peanut worm into dark brown then grill or roast it to use with a cup of beer or wine, especially for noodle broth. Peanut worm is very rare so expensive which is about VND 4 million (US$200) per kg.

4. Steamed rice roll with grilled chopped squid

The steamed rice rolls with mushrooms, wood ear, shredded meat and fried onions are served with grilled chopped squid making unforgettable taste.

5. Horseshoe crab

Another specialty of Halong is horseshoe crab which is an arthropod crustacean. We can make many delicious dishes from horseshoe crab such as, blood pudding, salad, sweet and sour fired legs, fried horseshoe crab’s eggs, grilled cartilage, fried with noodles, steamed…visit Gieng Don or Cao xanh streets, if you want to enjoy this food.

6. Ca say Tien Yen

Ca Say is the hybrid of duck and swan, through the process of Tien Yen people, the taste becomes twice more delicious. The locals use “ca say” and make it specialized sauce which has the flavor of fish sauce of Cai Rong, Van Yen and Cat Hai with the mild pungency of Tien Yen ginger planted on home soil.
 

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