Visiting Halong Bay: A Complete Guide

Take a small boat and travel slowly on the turquoise-blue water. The hills stand high in front of you, and you can see their rugged rocks covered with dense vegetation. After crossing the hills, a vast sea suddenly appears in front of you. Such a view of a sea with countless mountains is not from a landscape painting but from Halong Bay in Vietnam. As one of the eight natural heritages in the world, the hills in Halong Bay are actually left on the blue sea by karst formations, making it possible for visitors to enjoy both of their beauties. If you are a nature lover, you can't miss Halong Bay!

Halong Bay

About Halong Bay

Halong Bay is located in Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Hanoi. Halong Bay has undergone at least 500 million years of geological evolution, from the deposition of rocks to the rising sea level, and the erosion of seawater, finally forming the precious mountains and forests on the sea.

In Vietnamese, "Halong" means descending dragon. There is a legend about Halong Bay: a huge dragon used fire, emeralds, and jades to protect Vietnam from invasion. Eventually, these emeralds and jades fell into the ocean and formed large and small green hills. The old legend makes Halong Bay even more attractive.

When to Go to Halong Bay

One of the best times to visit Halong Bay is from March to April and September to October, the early spring days and cozy autumn. At this time, the weather here is pleasant, with low precipitation and a pure, peaceful sea, which provides an excellent view to enjoy the gallery-like bay. A summer visit from May to August can be a little hot, but a great bargain for your travel budget. If you like the feeling of a misty sea with a bit of fog around you, visit in late winter, January to February, when you can also experience the Vietnamese New Year, the Tet Festival.

What to Do in Halong Bay

When you visit around the Halong Bay, there are many interesting things to do, such as:

Unwind with cozy cruising

This could be one of the most comfortable ways to get a full view of its special landscapes. Find a good seat next to the cabin window or a lounger on the desk with a glass of drink, just like on a moving island with beaches for you to relax your body and soul. If you are staying on board for the night, then you can have the experience of chasing the splendid sunset like Jack and Rose.

Halong Bay Cruise

Kayaking through the islands and rocks

As a famous symbol of the Karst, with many stones and rocks scattered around the Oncean, there are always some places that the cruise cannot reach. So put on your life jacket and go kayaking, cross the mountain through the cave or have a race with your family and friends on the grand verdant water with sun and breeze. Have a good start on the beach and move on to another island as your destination, where you can really feel the joy of playing in a team.

Take an adventure in the wonder cave

There is no shortage of caves in Halong Bay and you can easily find them when you take the boat on your island hop. Let your curiosity get the better of you and follow the guide to enter the cave with stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes. You will feel like Alice, who once traveled to Wonderland.

Cave Exploration

Stroll around the island

After seeing so many pretty islands with vibrant flora and fauna, it is time to land on the beach to experience the unique scenery up close. For those who like it easy, a simple walk along the beach will be perfect, with the wave kissing your toes and the breeze moving your fragile limbs. If you are looking for a bit of a challenge, you can follow the path to the top of the hill, where you can take a good photo from the great viewpoint and say hello to the hovering seagulls.

How to Get to Halong Bay

By cruise

The best way to enjoy the natural charm of Halong Bay is to take a cruise. There are various choices available, and you can choose to spend 1 to 3 days on a cruise. It is recommended to spend at least one night on the cruise, as it takes several hours to reach Halong Bay and one day is too short to see all the spots. If you spend at least two days and one night at sea, you can have enough time to enjoy Halong Bay at your leisure and, most importantly, view a spectacular sunset on the sea.

By plane

In addition, some tourists will take a plane tour in Halong Bay, where you can take a helicopter ride through the green Halong Bay overlooking the sapphire-like sea and various shapes of mountains. If you want to enjoy the beautiful Halong Bay from another perspective, an airplane tour is also a good choice.

Besides helicopters, there is another way to see Halong Bay, by seaplane. The seaplane flies from Hanoi to Halong Bay in about 30 minutes and hovers over Halong Bay for some time, so that visitors can overlook the beautiful water and mountains. Its advantages are that it is fast, and allows you to overlook the beautiful scenery along the route, as well as a short time stop on the water to enjoy the scenery and the water up close, though it is a little bit expensive.

Useful Tips

1. Bring some water and snacks:
Full meals are generally provided on board. Other snacks may or may not be served, according to different cruises.
2. Bring sunscreen:
The best time to visit Halong Bay is during its dry season, so there will be plenty of sunshine. It is recommended to bring sunscreen.
3. Pack as light as possible:
A cruise trip usually lasts 1 to 3 days, so you don't need to bring a heavy suitcase. Just pack a small amount of luggage.
4. Pay attention to seafood:
If you are a vegetarian or allergic to seafood, tell your guide in advance, and they will help you change the seafood in your meals to other foods.
5. Go safe kayaking:
When you go kayaking, don't stray too far from the group, and don't go somewhere with a strong current.

The blue ocean, the mild breeze, the golden sunset, the green hills, all the natural beauties are gathered in the peaceful Halong Bay. If you have flipped, choose a proper time to visit Halong Bay, and embrace the journey of leisure and romance.