Halong Bay, Vietnam – The Complete Travel Guide

No trip to Vietnam is complete without a visit to Halong Bay, undoubtedly the country’s most iconic landmark and one of the most famous destinations in the world.

In this post, we’ll explain you everything you can see and do in Halong Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, what kind of tour or cruise to choose, and how to select the best option for you, as well as plenty of other useful information to help you make the most of your visit to this spectacular part of Vietnam.

We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to Halong Bay to help you plan your visit in the easiest and most practical way.

Halong Bay. History and legend of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world

Halong Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, specifically in Quang Ninh province, in northeastern Vietnam. This stunning natural landscape is home to approximately 1,600 islands and islets, most of which remain uninhabited to this day.

The name Halong means “descending dragon,” and its origin comes from an ancient legend in Vietnamese culture that describes this place and its unique landscape as being formed by dragons that descended from the sky to help the Vietnamese people fight off foreign invaders and protect their land. These dragons supposedly spewed fire and jade, which over time transformed into the majestic limestone formations that now characterize the bay

Legends aside, from a scientific perspective, Ha Long Bay is a spectacular example of a highly evolved and advanced karst landscape. These limestone formations have been shaped over millennia by erosion and other natural processes, creating an environment that is truly unique and visually stunning.

Halong Bay is undoubtedly one of the must-see destinations in Vietnam, and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Many consider it one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

Must-see in Halong Bay: main attractions and tourist spots

Halong Bay is essentially a vast area dotted with numerous islets, where you can navigate by boat and make stops to explore some of its must-see attractions.

Visiting Halong Bay can be a somewhat confusing process, but if you don’t want to complicate things, the most common way to visit Halong Bay is by taking a day trip from Hanoi, or by staying overnight on a multi-day cruise.

In this link you can find our undoubtedly favorite 2-day cruise, although there are also other options with good ratings, such as this one.

In Halong bay area, there are several areas and bays that you can visit during your stay, including:

• Halong Bay: The original and the first bay to develop tourism, it is the most famous and can sometimes feel overcrowded, but it is full of interesting places to visit.
• Bai Tu Long Bay: Located northeast of Halong Bay and known as “the children of the dragon,” it offers more tranquil cruises and features numerous caves and fishing villages.
• Lan Ha Bay: Located south of Halong Bay, it shares the same landscape of limestone formations as Halong Bay, but is somewhat less well-known and less visited, making it a more tranquil destination.
• Cat Ba Island: The largest island in the region, famous for its national park and adventure activities such as hiking and cycling; it also serves as a good base for exploring the surrounding bays.

Top Halong Bay must see places

If you have already decided to visit Halong Bay, here is a summary of the main attractions within the bay that you can explore during your cruise or excursion in the area.

Bai Tu Long Bay, the hidden gem next to Halong Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay is the bay that extends northeast of Halong Bay, forming an extension of it. In this area, you can visit the sites in a more relaxed atmosphere, as the number of tourists is much lower than in other areas.

Lan Ha Bay, a beautiful alternative to Halong Bay

Located to the southeast, Lan Ha Bay is situated next to the famous Halong Bay, boasting beauty that is almost as stunning, and with the added advantage of being less crowded.

In this area, you’ll find nearly 300 islets to explore, making Lan Ha Bay an ideal alternative to Halong Bay, or even better, a perfect complement, especially when is in a tour like this one, that combines Halong and Lan Ha bay, in 2 days.

Cat Ba Island, the best base to explore Halong Bay

The largest island in the archipelago is Cat Ba Island.

This island itself is full of interesting places for visitors, and many people choose it as a base for their cruises to the nearby bays.

If you have plenty of time to travel and want to explore the area at a leisurely pace, then going to Cat Ba Island and spending two or three days exploring the island and some of the bays around on a cruise is one of the best options for visiting Ha Long Bay.

One of the advantages of coming here is that from Cat Ba Island you can usually get a better price for your excursion to either of the bays. However, some drawbacks are that the cost of getting here is roughly the same as what you save, and that if you don’t have enough time to see everything, it’s not really worth it.

Aquí puedes reservar tu tour con salida desde Cat Ba.

Y aquí te dejamos con un completo artículo sobre todo lo que ver y hacer en Cat Ba.

Things to do in Halong Bay – Top 10 must-try activities

1. Explore by kayak

If there’s one top activity to do in Halong Bay, it’s kayaking.

There are practically no tours or cruises in the area that don’t offer the option of using a boat to explore some of the sites, which is actually essential for accessing some of the places within the bay.

2. Do some trekking

From the hike to Tip Top Island to the various hiking trails on Cat Ba Island in Ha Long Bay, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get some exercise by going for a hike.

3. Cycling around

Riding a bicycle to explore Cat Ba Island is one of the best ways to discover many of its attractions, allowing you to explore its hidden paths and venture into the various sights and places that await you throughout the island.

You can explore them on your own, or you can hire one of the many guided tours available, which will take you through the different areas.

4. Practice rock climbing

Although rock climbing isn’t the main activity to do in Halong Bay, more and more companies are now offering climbing enthusiasts the opportunity to practice this sport on some of the cliffs that make up this stunning landscape.

5. Relax in the cruise spa.

Relaxing in the outdoor jacuzzi on the boat while cruising through the stunning scenery of Halong Bay is undoubtedly a luxury that is becoming increasingly affordable for all types of travelers, as many cruise operators now include this service as part of their bay tour package.

6. Watching the sunrise and sunset, an absolute must when visiting the bay.

If you are going to spend several days in Halong Bay, watching the sunrise or sunset is one of those experiences that will be etched in your memory.

Few places offer such charm and make getting up early so worthwhile as this one, so don’t be lazy—you’ll have plenty of time to sleep another day.

7. Sleeping on a (nearly) deserted island

With so many islands scattered throughout the area, it’s not difficult to find an agency that offers the option of staying overnight on one of them.

Multi-day cruises are generally the ones that offer the option of staying overnight on some of the islands, a good option to consider if you’re not a big fan of ship cabins or if you simply prefer to enjoy a night on the beach.

8. Onboard party

Most cruises include a party on board in the evening, giving you an opportunity to socialize and get to know the other participants on the trip.

The downside, as you can imagine, is that drinks are not included in almost any of the excursions, and their price can be exorbitant compared to what you find elsewhere in the country.

9. Vietnamese cooking class

It’s rare to find a cruise in Halong Bay that doesn’t include a Vietnamese cooking class. This is a great way to experience the country’s cuisine and learn to cook, allowing you to practice your skills using the exquisite cooking techniques of Vietnam.

10. Morning Tai Chi

This activity is now widely offered by cruise operators as part of their travel packages, and it’s easy to see why: starting the day with a beautiful sunrise over Halong Bay followed by a Tai Chi session makes the time truly fly by.

How to choose a Halong Bay cruise

We know that choosing a cruise ship can be complicated and time-consuming, so we’ve prepared this short guide to help you understand the key things to consider when booking your cruise.

Cruise categories

An essential factor to consider when booking a cruise in Halong Bay is the category of the boat you will be traveling on.

Like hotels, cruise ships also have standardized categories, depending on the type of services they offer and the cruise itself.

The categories of cruise in Halong Bay are classified by stars, from 1 to 5, and as you can imagine, the higher the number of stars, the higher the price.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, we don’t recommend choosing a boat with less than three stars for your excursion, especially if you plan to spend the night on board, and if you want to avoid many of the scams and common problems we explain below.

Types of boats in Halong Bay

Junk boat, the traditional Vietnamese boat

The junk is a type of ship traditional of Southeast Asia, and one of the oldest known. It has been used not only by Vietnamese people, but also by Chinese, Japanese, Mongol, and Indonesian people for their expeditions across the South China Sea, primarily for trade and the transport of goods.

Regular cruise

A cruise ship of the Western type, but smaller in size.

Check how much time you actually spend on activities

Especially for day trips, it’s important to make sure you know how much actual time you’ll spend on the boat or participating in activities. Before booking the cruise, the travel agency should provide you with a schedule; check that this schedule shows that most of the time will be spent on the bay itself, and not just on the transfer to the boat, particularly for trips that start from Hanoi.

Review what is and isn’t included

It is essential that before booking a tour to Halong Bay, you carefully review what is and isn’t included in the excursion. Otherwise, you are likely to encounter unexpected surprises later on, which could lead to additional costs or prevent you from participating in certain activities.

From drinks and meals to entrance fees for tourist attractions, and even things like kayak or bicycle rentals, be sure to check with the travel agency whether these items are included in the package price or if you will have to pay for them separately.

How to visit Halong Bay

How to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi

The quickest and easiest way to visit Halong Bay is to book a tour from Hanoi or other locations such as Ninh Binh.

These types of tours typically include pick-up from your accommodation and transportation to the port of Haiphong, where you will board the cruise ship.

There are numerous travel agencies throughout the city where you can book the tour, so the difficult part is choosing a reliable one.

From Cat Ba Island

One option for exploring the area is to first travel to Cat Ba Island, and then from there, book a one-day or multi-day excursion.

Here is the one we recommend based on our own experience.

This option is particularly recommended if you want to explore Lan Ha Bay, or if you want to visit the island’s main attractions before or after your bay tour (there are plenty to choose from), or simply relax on its beaches for a while.

How to get to Cat Ba Island from Hanoi

To get to Cat Ba Island, you can take a bus from Hanoi or other locations. Many travel agencies offer combined tickets for the trip to the island, which include transportation to the port, the ferry ticket, and a bus transfer on Cat Ba Island to your accommodation.

You can view the bus schedules from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island at this link.

The best time to visit Halong Bay

The best time to visit Halog Bay is from February to May, coinciding with the end of the rainy season and with a pleasantly sunny climate that allows for the best skies throughout the bay.

However, from our ponit of view, any time is a good time to visit Halong Bay, as you never know for sure what the weather will be like, and visiting during the dry season doesn’t guarantee sunshine.

Visiting Halong Bay in the winter season (December to February) has its pros and cons.

The downside is undoubtedly the cold, as the area, while not reaching the temperatures we’re used to in the European winter, can get chilly, especially when sailing on the cruse and with the high humidity in the surrounding area.

But don’t worry, it’s not Siberia and temperatures don’t usually drop below 8 or 10 degrees, as long as you remember to dress warmly.

The monsoon arrives in the area during the summer (June to September), bringing constant rain and high temperatures, making this perhaps not the best time to take a cruise in Halong Bay.

Even so, it’s still a busy time for tourists, and you’ll simply have to try to find a break in the clouds and choose what initially seems like the best day.

After all, rain isn’t going to stop you from enjoying your vacation, right?

Tips for visiting Halong Bay

As in all places that have developed mass tourism, in Halong Bay, it’s sadly common for travelers to experience scams, swindles, and other problems that have turned what should have been a unique experience into something less than pleasant.

In this post, you can find a summary of the main basic tips to make the most of your visit to Halong Bay.

1. Be wary of bargains

An all-inclusive cruise for a ridiculously low price? No thanks.

Keep in mind that nothing in life is free, and that at the end of the day, you usually get what you pay for. This is something that is strictly adhered to in a country like Vietnam. The prices you’ll find for tours are fair for what they offer, and if you suddenly find or someone offers you the deal of the century, be wary of it because 9 out of 10 times it’s a scam.

And we assure you, you’ll lose out, because aside from not enjoying the experience, you may find yourself in an undesirable and deeply upsetting situation—not a good way to end or begin your trip to Vietnam. You’ll have time to save money later on during your trip; after all, Vietnam is a very cheap country where you can save on many occasions, but the Halong Bay cruise may not be the best of them.

Here are the reference prices for a tour of Halong Bay. Anything less than this price can lead to suspicion that something might not go as promised.

• Day trips: From 1 to 2 mill VND
• Overnight cruise: From 2,5 mill a cheap one to more than 6 mill for luxury ones. All prices in VND

2. Beware of reservations at Hai Phong port

Traveling to Haiphong port on your own to book the excursion directly there and try to save a few Dong is a practice that doesn’t always work out, and the proliferation of scams and deceptions by local mafias is known in this area, so be careful and always choose an agency that you have references for or that you believe is trustworthy, before embarking on the adventure and ending up with a disappointment.

3. Avoid problems with inclusions

One of the most common problems is that the services contracted with the agency don’t match those offered later on the cruise at the destination. If you find yourself in this situation, always try:

• Always check with the agency and make sure you understand which services are included in the tour and which ones you have to pay for separately.
• Stay calm and don’t lose your temper, as it won’t help your cause.
• Try to contact the agency and solve the problem at the moment.
• If you can’t resolve the issue, stop by the agency at the end of your cruise to request any included services you were unable to enjoy.

4.Thefts

There have been incidents and reports of travelers having their belongings or money stolen during their cruise excursions in Halong Bay. To avoid this, always try to choose a reputable operator and take some general precautions, such as:

• Do not leave your valuables in plain sight or in your cabin if the ship does not have a safe.
• Always keep your money with you. If you travel with a lot of cash, you can purchase a waterproof case in advance so you can carry it with you at all times.

5. Be patient with crowds

Halong Bay is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam and the entire world, so if you were hoping to sail alone around the area, keep in mind that this probably won’t happen.

Rather, you’ll be sharing the boat and the sites with a multitude of other tourists who, like you, have come from all over the world to experience it, so be patient, respectful, and try to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay regardless of the number of people around you.

If you’re easily annoyed by mass tourism, we have to tell you that Halong Bay is not the ideal place for you.

Is it better to visit Ha Long Bay in one day trip or overnight cruise?

This is one of the main questions that comes to mind when we think about exploring this corner of the world. The reality is that there’s no right answer, and everything depends on the type of traveler you are, your budget, and, most importantly, how long you’ll be traveling.

Spending several days in Ha Long Bay means taking time away from other destinations in Vietnam, which are quite a few, so consider whether your time allows you to visit the rest of the places at your leisure before making a decision.

We leave you here with the differences

Ha Long Bay Day Trip

The quickest way to visit Halong Bay is on a day trip from Hanoi

These types of boat trips usually originate in Hanoi, where there are hundreds of agencies and accommodations that offer the service, so you can easily book one.

Most of these tours include pickup from your accommodation, round-trip transportation to the port, and a few-hour boat trip around the bay with lunch, as well as activities such as kayaking or a Vietnamese cooking class.

Overnight Cruise

During an overnight cruise, the itinerary is usually very similar to the one-day trip, but the activities are spread over the two days and include dinner and breakfast.

The main attraction of visiting Halong Bay on a two-day excursion, in our opinion, is being able to watch the sunset and sunrise from the boat, a very special experience if you’re lucky enough to have good weather in the area.

Here’s one of the top overnight cruises you can book online.

3 day tour in Halong Bay

If you’re planning to visit Halong Bay on a tour lasting more than two days, the most important thing is to know what activities and areas you’ll be doing and visiting.

On excursions of more than two days, you can take routes with the option to sleep on one of the islands spread across the bay or explore more surrounding areas. The number of activities and visits increases proportionally, as does the price.