This is Halong Bay

Halong Bay is among the very first destinations popping up in travelers’ minds whenever mentioning Vietnam. It is located in the Gulf of Tonkin in the North East of Vietnam. Around 165 km from Hanoi center, Halong Bay belongs to Quang Ninh province and has an area of 1,553km2.

In fact, there is a large zone including Halong Bay in the center, Bai Tu Long Bay in the North East and Cat Ba Island with Lan Ha Bay in the South West. Bai Tu Long Bay is also located in Quang Ninh province but Lan Ha Bay belongs to Hai Phong City. Although three bays share the same geographical characteristics and similar scenery of limestone islands, Halong Bay is the most visited thanks to the World’s Natural Heritage Site recognition while Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bay are less renowned but more pristine landscapes that enchant more and more tourists recently.

When to go

Halong Bay has a humid tropical climate, the typical weather in the North of Vietnam. There are 4 seasons in Halong which are Spring (March - May), Summer (June - September), Autumn (October - December), and Winter (January - February). The transitional months may feature the weather combination of two adjacent seasons. Therefore, the best time to visit Halong Bay is from March to April and October to November.

March to April is Spring with the lowest rainfall, less harsh sunshine, and almost no chance of storms. October to November is Autumn with pleasant temperatures (23 - 27°C) and light sunshine, and perfect for outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, or sunbathing. However, Halong Bay in each season has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you can visit at any time of the year. Make sure you check the weather forecast frequently and closer to your travel date to have a good travel plan.

How to get there

If you come from a far destination, the airway is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Halong Bay. There are three airports to access Halong which are Van Don (Quang Ninh), Cat Bi (Hai Phong), and Noi Bai (Hanoi). Van Don and Cat Bi are just 1 - 1.5 hours from the airport to the cruise port while Noi Bai is around 2.5 hours away. However, the most popular choice is Hanoi thanks to the variety of flight times, aircraft brands, and the convenient transfer from the destination to the cruise.

If you are staying in nearby destinations such as Hanoi, Haiphong, Ninh Binh, Sapa, you can choose a taxi/private car, limousine bus, or local coach to get to Halong Bay. If you are joining a Halong Bay cruise, a limousine bus operated by cruise tours is the most convenient and reasonable. It costs around $30 - 40 per person per round trip from the Hanoi center but only for those staying in Hanoi. For other places, local buses must be the most cost-saving but you usually need to take another vehicle to reach the cruise port or the hotel while a taxi or private car is expensive but drops you off at the requested address.

Where to stay

Halong is one of the hotspots in the Northern region of Vietnam. Therefore, luxury resorts and hotels or economical homestays and hostels could be found in many areas of Halong. If you just want to visit Halong Bay and come back, an overnight cruise would be highly recommended. There is a myriad of cruises at different price ranges (3* to 5* quality) and itineraries (Halong - Lan Ha - Bai Tu Long).

If you want to extend your trip with one or a few nights on the mainland, the bustling and closest areas to the cruise ports are Halong City and Bai Chay area. Two ports to visit Halong Bay are Tuan Chau Port in Tuan Chau Island, Halong City and Halong International Cruise Port (Sun Group Port) in Bai Chay, Halong City.

Things to see

As mentioned above, there are three bays sharing a large zone and all have similar scenery such as caves/grottoes, fishing villages, islands and islets, beaches, etc. However, Halong Bay was first discovered and became renowned earlier so it has more attractions opened for tourists than the other two. With Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, fewer attractions do not mean less beautiful and interesting. Attractions in Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long are favored by the untouched beauty, perfect for those who seek privacy and quiet landscapes.

Things to do

Halong Bay is famous for not only the gorgeous scenery but also for the plenty of activities that it offers. Although you can join many activities from the mainland, the best way to have a complete experience is to join an overnight cruise. Here are the top activities that travelers can join in Halong Bay.

• Kayak on the bay

Kayaking is a must for travelers, especially active ones. Kayaking gives you the freedom to go around the bay, come closer to rocky mountains and watch the emerald water at a close range.

• Swim in the vast ocean

Immersing in the crystal clear water of Halong Bay is an unbeatable activity. Swimming is best from April to October with the ideal sea temperature ranging from 26 to 31.5°C.

• Sunbathe on the beach

After taking a dip in the sea, sunbathing on the sandy beach is noteworthy. There are more quiet sandy beaches in Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay rather than Halong bay. However, those beaches are usually small and far from the land that requires a day boat to visit (in 3 day 2 night itinerary).

• Hike to the cave

You could not imagine how stunning it is inside a cave in Halong Bay. Hiking to the cave, travelers will be amazed by the miracle formation and million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites.

• Cycle around the rustic village

Adding a cycling trip to a cruise tour could be much more fun. Landing on Cat Ba island and cycling around a local village, watching the dense jungle and peaceful surroundings, you will never regret it.

• Watch Halong Bay from mountain top

View from the top of the mountain is speechless. After climbing up around 200 steps, a 360-degree bay view will feast your eyes and bring you second-to-none photos.

• Join a cooking class

Many Halong Bay cruises include a cooking demonstration about a traditional and easy-to-make dish of Vietnam. Joining the class, you will have a chance to make your own dish and maybe save the recipe for the homemade cook.

• Climb rocky mountains

There are nearly 2000 islands and islets but not all can be visited and explored. Some areas you can try rock climbing are Me Cung Cave, Trinh Nu cave, Trong Cave, Bai Tho Mountain (in Halong city), etc.

• Watch pearl cultivation process

Visiting a local pearl farm on Halong Bay gives you a chance to see how pearl oysters are raised and cultivated. You can also witness sophisticated pearl products in the showroom right at the farm.

• Do Taichi

Taichi is an early morning exercise. If you are an early riser, heading up the top deck of the cruise and trying Taichi will be the perfect start for a new day full of energy and peace of mind.

• Try squid fishing

After dinner, instead of watching the night scenery with some cocktails, watching movies, or resting in the room, travelers can try squid fishing. This is a fun activity suitable for both adults and children.

What to bring

If you are staying in Halong city, you can find convenient stores or supermarkets for personal stuff. As for a cruise trip on Halong Bay, although almost all necessary amenities for your comfort will be provided, you are recommended to prepare the following belongings to enjoy a worry-free trip:

• Sunblock
• Wide brim hat
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Insect repellent
• Original Passport
• Proper shoes for hiking
• Flip flops for beach activity
• Swimming costume for summer
• Warm clothes for winter
• Bright color clothes recommended for the best photos

Visa for Vietnam & Halong bay

Vietnam requires a visa from most nationalities except for some Southeast Asian countries and some specific visa-exempted countries. Please refer to the list of countries with a period of time granted to enter Vietnam without a visa as followed:

• Under 14 days: Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar
• Under 45 days: Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
• Under 21 days: Philippines
• Under 30 days: Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
• Under 90 days: Chile

For visa issuance, you can apply directly at the Vietnam Embassy in your country or apply online for an e-visa via the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/.

Cruise boarding procedure

If you are traveling to Halong Bay on a cruise, you are required to bring all group members’ passports during the tour. Besides, all passengers’ information such as full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, visa expiry date in Vietnam,... needs to be submitted to Halong Bay Authority for registration on board in advance. Therefore, make sure you provide it early for the cruise operator for a smooth check-in at the port.

Currency

Vietnam Dong (VND) is the official currency in Vietnam. Although paying by credit cards or ATMs (automated teller machines) are now available almost everywhere, you should prepare cash for more convenient shopping.

International travelers are allowed to bring a maximum of US$5,000 in cash to Vietnam. For Halong Bay cruise trips, most cruises accept cards onboard. However, if you want to buy snacks or shopping, or give some tips to staff, bringing some cash could be better.

Local tips to book Halong Bay cruises

Wanna plan a perfect Halong Bay trip at the most suitable cost? Here are local tips for you!

• Book in advance, especially in peak season!

When booking upon arrival, you have limited time to research and fewer choices of cruises left. Booking in advance provides you with more time to find a suitable cruise and research the travel company to avoid scams. Therefore, booking in advance is better than upon arrival.

• Book overnight cruises!

Day cruises (4 - 8 hours) are ideal for those who lack time. However, if you have more time and can spend a little bit more, overnight cruises never disappoint you. Overnight cruises are not too rushed and bring you varied scenery at different times and activities in and off the boat.

• Research weather conditions before booking!

If the weather does not matter much, Halong Bay can be visited at any time of the year as each season has its own beauty. However, if you want to avoid the high chance of storms or downpour rain, or a beach vacation with lots of sunshine and swimming, learn about the weather before booking.

• Backup plan if traveling in summer/storm season

Summer or storm season often comes from June to September. Although these months have a higher chance of storms, it is not stormy all the time. If you are traveling during this time, make sure you think about plan B when the trip is suddenly canceled.

• Hunt for promotions!

Good deals are offered more in the low season from May to September. Each cruise may have a distinct promotion so you can check carefully to find out the best deal. A suggestion for you is to book through a reliable travel agent to have the list of promotions for many cruises.

Things to know

• Getting there
• Attractions
• Live Weather
• Best time to visit
• Visa & Immigrations

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