Over two thousand towering limestone islands and islets that rise from deep green seas may be seen in Halong Bay, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the northeastern region of Vietnam. When seen from above, the islands in the Gulf of Tonkin, which cover an area of 1,500 square kilometers (589 square miles), resemble the undulating bodies of dragons. The word “Halong” literally translates to “descending dragon” in Vietnamese.
According to the tale, the Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her progeny to assist the Vietnamese people in their fight against foreign invaders. Since then, they have stayed in this region in the shape of islands covered in forest.
presently Halong Bay is a destination that should not be missed due to its surreal beauty. It was used as the setting for several sequences in the film Kong: Skull Island, which was released in 2017, and it has caverns, beaches, and a variety of outdoor activities. All of these attractions are located only a few hours away from Hanoi.
When is the best time for me to visit Halong?
Although the landscape of Halong changes with the changing of the seasons, there is beauty to be discovered almost throughout the whole year. Winter, which lasts from November to March and has average temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit), and summer, which lasts from May to September and has temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). The weather is at its rainy from June through August.
Summer is the perfect time for water activities, such as swimming and kayaking, for those who are looking for an adventure. The vibrant Carnaval Ha Long celebration takes place at the end of April or the beginning of May as well. Photographers, on the other hand, could find it more appealing to go during the winter months since in the early mornings, hazy conditions are common, which results in spooky vistas of fog-covered islands in the distance.
What is the recommended amount of time that I should spend in Halong Bay?
The majority of visitors to Halong Bay are there to go on cruises. There are half-day and full-day cruises available for those who are rushed for time. These journeys provide the shortest possible view of the islands; nevertheless, when you include in the time it takes to get to and from Hanoi, this makes for a very lengthy day.
The vast majority of tourists will choose to go on an overnight cruise, which departs from Hanoi in the wee hours of the morning and begins transportation at around midday. The cruise then returns passengers to the dock at the same time the following day. On a typical overnight cruise, passengers may participate in a variety of activities, such as viewing a cave, going to a beach or floating pearl farm, watching a cookery demonstration on board, and fishing for squid at night. The crowded schedule might give the impression that the trip is moving at a breakneck pace, with very little opportunity to just rest, relax, and take in the breathtaking scenery. Despite the fact that this is the most popular choice, there is a disadvantage in that the majority of boats will go along the same path, making stops at the same places at around the same time.
It is highly recommended that you give serious consideration to going on a cruise that lasts for two nights or longer. This allows the boat to sail deeper into the bay (or perhaps into nearby Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha bays) with leisurely stops at floating villages, peaceful beaches, and less-touristy locations. This significantly enhances the number of itinerary alternatives that are available. On these cruises that last for many nights, there are often fewer passengers than on other cruises.
You might think about spending a day or two at the beach city of Halong, which is growing wonderfully as an attraction for travelers in its own right. If time is your friend, you should consider doing so.
What’s the best way to choose the ideal cruise?
According to reports, there are between 200 and 300 overnight boats that operate in the seas around Halong Bay. As a result, tourists have a wide variety of options available to them at every price range. Your first order of business is to ascertain whether or not you are capable of cruising for more than one night. Have faith us when we tell that a longer trip gives a totally different image of Halong Bay, one that is much more positive with regard to the destination. After that, you will need to choose your ship, which may vary from a basic luxury vessel to a five-star luxury vessel that provides almost every amenity you could possibly imagine. Make it a point to inquire about whether or not the cost of the cruise involves transportation to and from Hanoi.
Last but not least, if going on the ship that you have chosen is something that is essential to you, you should make your reservation directly with the cruise line rather than going via a tour operator. Tour operators have been known to swap people to alternative boats without prior notice in order to satisfy minimum passenger requirements.
Charter services are also offered by a significant number of cruise lines. If you are going with a party of at least eight to ten individuals, it is recommended that you investigate firms such as Bhaya Cruises or the ultra-private Emeraude Premium, which only accommodates two passengers at a time.
Day cruises may be arranged directly with cruise companies, or passengers can show up at the Halong International Cruise Port to purchase tickets. The rates range from 440,000d (US$18) for a very basic boat to 1,200,000d (US$49) for a boat that includes lunch, a guide, and other facilities that are more luxurious.
How simple is it to travel into and around Halong?
Due to the fact that Halong is a popular tourist destination, getting there is fairly simple. When departing from Hanoi, which is located around 170 kilometers (105 miles), you have the option of traveling by shuttle bus (which is generally supplied by cruise lines), private automobile, or even public bus. If you use the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway, the average journey time is approximately two hours.
An additional airport that serves Halong City is the Van Don International Airport, which is situated around 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from the city and offers domestic flights from a number of important towns in Vietnam.
Those who have more financial resources may take use of the services provided by Hai Au Aviation, which provides flights between Halong Bay and Hanoi on Cessna amphibious aircraft with 12 seats. These flights also include a brief scenic trip over the islands.
The best activities to enjoy in Halong Bay
Experience the beauty of the bay from the air.
The islands are spectacular from the water’s level, with their one-of-a-kind structures and intriguing names such as Fighting Cock, Calf’s Head, Stone Dog, and Incense Burner (which is depicted on the back of the Vietnamese 200,000d note). When you travel to the sky in a picturesque seaplane trip that lasts for twenty-five minutes, however, the islands begin to seem more like little mountain ranges that wind their way through the water. This provides an entirely new viewpoint. Taken by themselves, the water landings and takeoffs are nearly worth the price of admission.
Use a cable car to see Halong.
Another option is to take the Queen Cable Car, which is an excellent opportunity to obtain a bird’s-eye perspective of Halong Bay and Halong City from a significant height. There are a number of outdoor sports and theme park activities on each end of the cable car, which is a part of the Sun World Halong complex and can accommodate a record-breaking 230 people per cabin.
The cable car runs between the two parts of Halong City, with Sun World’s Amusement Compound on one side and Ba Deo Hill on the other.
Take a tour around Halong City
In addition to serving as the entry point to Halong Bay, Halong City is home to a number of attractive tourist destinations. Hike up to the viewpoint atop Bai Tho Mountain, which is located at a height of 200 meters (656 feet), for panoramic views. The mountain was formerly known as Truyen Dang, which literally translates to “lightning.” Thousands of years ago, it served as the location of a significant guard post for the Northeast entrance. The purpose of this post was to illuminate the path for boats that were on the bay.
The Sun World Halong theme park is a great place for families to visit since it has many attractions, including games, roller coasters, a ferris wheel, as well as one of the biggest water parks in Southeast Asia. Additional attractions include the wonderful Quang Ninh Museum and Library, which was created by the Spanish architect Salvador Perez Arroyo, as well as a lively night market located inside the Halong Marine Plaza.
Halong’s most popular activities and attractions
In addition to cruising, which is an activity that should be on everyone’s bucket list, there is a great deal to do on land as well. I find that the Japanese-style Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, which is located around 15 minutes away from Halong, is one of my favorite locations to unwind. Because of its natural, mineral-rich water, this onsen is well-known for its location, which is surrounded by mountains and woods. An additional benefit is that the cost of this experience is a fraction of what it would be to stay in a similar onsen in Japan.
In addition, I like trying all of the Halong delicacies, such as the stone crab soup known as bun cu ky, which is cooked from stone crabs that are discovered in the mangroves that surround Halong. The soup is made out of rice vermicelli, tomatoes, and fresh herbs that are simmered in a fragrant broth. Stone crab flesh is placed on top of the soup. Either in Nha Hang Thanh Loc or at Bun cu ky Ba Lan at Bai Chay Beach, you should give it a go.
Other dishes that are popular include grilled squid and squid cakes prepared in the Halong style. These cakes are produced by forming minced squid into chewy patties and then deep-frying them. They may be consumed as a snack or as a meal when combined with rice flour crepes that have been cooked.