A visit to Halong Bay is a must on any trip to Vietnam. A true national emblem, this bay forms a 50,000-hectare marine outcrop in northern Vietnam, a paradise for all backpackers in Asia.
But it's its geology that attracts visitors from all over the world: Halong Bay is studded with 16,000 islets, often in the form of immense limestone pillars. No wonder, then, that Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
How do I get to Halong Bay from Hanoi?
There are several ways to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi:
- By car: with your own vehicle. Allow around 3 hours' drive.
- By bus : from one of Hanoi's bus stations, notably My Dinh station, buses are very frequent. Allow 3 h 30 for the journey and around 220,000 Vnd for a ticket.
- By train: the very slow Halong Express, which takes 7 hours to get from Hanoi to Halong, but offers a superb range of scenery. Expect to pay around 100,000 Vnd.
- With an agency: they'll take you to Halong Bay by shuttle, and accompany you for the visit on site. This is the easiest and most practical option, but also the most expensive.
What to see and do in Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is a natural area covering almost 50,000 hectares. So there are plenty of sites to see and experiences to enjoy!
Visit Halong Bay on a cruise
Cruises are the most popular way to visit Halong Bay. You'll board a junk, a traditional sailing vessel of the region. A cruise in Halong Bay is a superb way to sail between the various islets. Some last just a few hours, others several days.
Visit Cat Ba
Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay, and also one of the most beautiful. Particularly wild, it is partly protected as Cat Ba National Park. Its fascinating flora and fauna make it a superb hiking destination.
Explore the karst caves
Halong Bay is the world's largest marine karst complex, a natural area of loose rock sculpted by the waters. As a result, there are many caves to visit, including Sung Sot, Thien Cung and Dau Go.
Discover the floating villages
This is one of the most unique aspects of Vietnamese culture, so a visit to Halong Bay would not be complete without discovering a floating village. They reveal an authentic, local way of life, where the boundary between land and sea is thin.
Taste the local cuisine
Halong Bay provides many delicious foods for its inhabitants, many of whom make their living from farming or fishing. In the villages, be sure to sample the fresh, delicious catch. The best places to try it are the floating villages, where boat markets are plentiful.
Kayak between islets
Kayaking is the best way to explore the most confidential corners of the bay and avoid mass tourism. You'll gain access to secret caves, intimate coves and other small, unspoilt jungles. Most cruises offer kayaks on board, so you can roam to your heart's content.
Scuba diving
Halong Bay is one of the world's most popular diving spots, with its rich underwater life. The ideal time to visit Halong Bay for scuba diving is between April and november.
Visit Halong, the main city
With over 300,000 inhabitants, Halong is the main city on the bay's eponymous coastline. It boasts beautiful beaches, pagodas, museums, markets and good restaurants.
Fly over the bay in a seaplane or helicopter
Many agencies offer tours of Halong Bay from the air, by helicopter or seaplane. From up there, it's even easier to admire the thousands of islets that dot the bay. With a seaplane, travelers can even take off from the water! Most flights, by helicopter or seaplane, last between 20 and 30 minutes.
What's a cruise on Halong Bay like?
There are many different ways to cruise Halong Bay, from a few hours to over a week.
- The most popular option is certainly the 24-hour cruise, departing from the port around noon and finishing at the same time the following day, which you can book here. It offers the breathtaking spectacle of sunset and sunrise over Halong Bay.
- However, slightly longer cruises, lasting two days or more, offer even more of the bay's charms, and include landings on several islands. These cruises are often equipped with kayaks, so you can explore every nook and cranny on your own. Click here for prices.
On board, you'll be served a local meal. Some providers even offer activities such as Vietnamese cooking classes, tai chi sessions, fishing workshops... But there's no need for a full program: no activity is worth the simple pleasure of admiring the panorama of one of the world's most beautiful landscapes from the deck of a junk.
Practical information you need to know
Follow these few tips to visit Halong Bay with peace of mind.
When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?
The mid-seasons are the best time to visit Halong Bay, as they represent the periods when the climate is least polarized. It's neither too hot nor too cold, and there's less risk of heavy rain. So opt for autumn, from September to November, or spring, from March to May.
However, it is possible to visit Halong Bay all year round, although it's best to avoid the Vietnamese and Chinese vacation periods, particularly Chinese New Year, when the region is a victim of its own success.
What is the recommended length of cruise to visit Halong Bay?
Choose a cruise with at least one night on board the junk, and ideally two or even three. Cruises lasting just a few hours are too short to make the most of the experience.
Which junk should I choose to visit Halong Bay?
Choose a traditional junk with a small capacity, i.e. a maximum of a dozen cabins. They offer a much more authentic and intimate experience than the big, crowded cruise ships. If your budget allows, it's even better to opt for a private junk.
Where to stay in Halong Bay?
To make the most of the region's attractions, it's best to stay overnight. This is better than a short excursion lasting a few hours, which will leave you hungry for more. Ideally, you should sleep in Halong, if you want a livelier city where you can discover the local culture, or on Cat Ba Island, for a wilder experience.
The best hotels in Halong Bay are :
- Halong Plaza Hotel: located in Halong, this modern, comfortable hotel offers good value for money and a restaurant serving local cuisine. Click here to to book your stay.
- Ha Long Dream Hotel: this 4-star hotel with swimming pool offers all the comforts you need in Halong. Click here to book your stay.
- Hung Long Harbour Hotel: this liner-shaped hotel has many rooms on Cat Ba Island. Click here to to book your stay.
