Halong Bay Tourism

Introduction to Halong Bay

Halong Bay is an area of outstanding beauty in the Quang Ninh Province of northeastern Vietnam, about 100 km from Hanoi. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been included in the list of “The Seven Wonders of Nature". Its name means descending dragon bay, and legend has it that, as Vietnam had just started developing as a country, they had to fight off invaders.

Halong Bay Overview

The gods sent a family of dragons to assist. The dragons spit out gemstones and jade, which turned into the thousands of islands or karsts that are numerous in the bay. After the victory over the invaders, who were obstructed by the wall of islands, the dragon left the land and entered the sea, carving gaps between many of the rocks.

The islands are concentrated in three main zones: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay, and Lan Ha Bay. This area encompasses 434 km² with 775 islands, delimited by 3 points: Dau Go Island on the west, Ba Ham Lake on the south, and Cong Tay Island on the east.

Halong Bay Tourism

Halong Bay is one of the most magnificent destinations on Vietnam tours and attracts both national and international tourists. With available values of natural and cultural beauty, this destination becomes a must-see place that tourists cannot pass when they travel to Vietnam.

Halong Bay's ancient karst landscape is the result of complex geological processes taking over 500 million years, including the earth's movements, sea regression, down-warping tectonics, and sea transgression, which created thousands of limestone islands emerging from the sea.

Beach on Halong Bay

Nature lovers and adventure-seekers are drawn to Halong Bay to appreciate its captivating landscape and diverse wildlife - both flora and fauna. But aside from the natural world, there’s a plethora of things that travelers can do while touring the bay - from workshops and master classes on board the ship to water sports and cave exploration.

Halong Bay Weather

Halong weather changes month by month, and each season has its own distinct features. This is why you should check the weather forecast carefully before starting your trip. To travel to Halong Bay in Vietnam, you can choose from the following periods:

From April to June: This is the ideal time for you to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life through your Halong Bay tours. At this time, the weather is warm and mostly sunny. Therefore, it is extremely suitable for sightseeing or soaking up the sunlight with your family and friends at some beautiful beaches.

Have fun at Halong Bay

From June to August: This is the peak season, so there are many Vietnam family tours traveling to this city with their children for their summer vacation. As a result, the number of tourists increases, and so does the price of rooms and services. Therefore, you should make a specific plan in advance to have a cost-effective trip.

Visit Sung Sot Cave in Halong Bay

From late November to the Tet holiday, Halong Bay in Vietnam usually attracts a large number of foreign tourists. Compared to the peak season, it is relatively less crowded, so you can have more private space to experience Halong tourism in the best way.

Halong Bay Transport

With the synchronous development of transportation infrastructure, it is very easy for you to go to Halong from Hanoi by the following means:

By motorbike

You can take a motorcycle on Highway 18 to get to Bac Ninh from Hanoi and some northern provinces. Then, make your way to Pha Lai Ward in Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province. After going to Dong Trieu Town - the western gateway of Quang Ninh Province, and continuing past Uong Bi City, you will arrive in Halong City.

Sunset on Halong Bay

With this route, it will take you about 4–5 hours to travel. For those who like backpacking, this will be a great experience. However, you should be aware of danger by maintaining an appropriate speed, wearing a helmet with glasses, and wearing long-sleeved clothing during the journey.

By car

Traveling by car is a time-saving way to do your Halong Bay tour in Vietnam. From the center of Hanoi, you need to follow the directions on the Hanoi - Halong Highway to reach Halong City quickly and safely. In comparison to traveling by motorbike, it offers a shorter travel time, which is only about 2–2.5 hours.

D-Car goes to Halong Bay

By public transport

In addition to private vehicles, you can also use public transport such as taxis, coaches, trains, or buses to go to Halong City. Also, if you depart from the southern provinces, you can take a plane that lands at Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong or Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh. From these places, it is very convenient for you to visit Halong Bay in Vietnam and explore its beauty.

Halong Bay Accommodation

In Halong, there are many resorts, hotels, and cruises of various classes (from affordable to luxurious ones) that will serve all the needs of tourists.

Hotel in Halong Bay

Being one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country and all of Southeast Asia, Halong City is not lacking in hotels.

Hotel in Halong Bay

With accommodations ranging from 3-stars to 5-stars and unique experiences to offer, there are heaps of options to choose from if you’re the type of traveler who wants to see the bay from afar without having to worry about seasickness.

Cruise in Halong Bay

With so many last-minute Halong Bay Cruises available online, opting to cruise Halong Bay instead of staying in your typical hotel accommodation is a more interactive way of experiencing the World Heritage Site.

With hundreds of scattered islets and grottos around the Bay, cruising will give you a closer look and also the most convenient way to visit the attractions in Halong Bay.

Cruise in Halong Bay

Besides, saving time by moving between hotels and attractions, you won’t have to worry about transportation, food, and attraction fees because everything will be included in your cruise package.

Ranging from day cruises to over 5-day cruises, and from 3-stars to a 5-star level of service, there are more than enough options for you to see Halong Bay for a more intimate and personalized experience.

This might be one of the most important parts of your plan to have an unforgettable Halong Bay trip. You and your family will spend the majority of the time on your cruise for a couple of days.

To avoid unexpected things on a cruise, you should take a look at the Halong Bay cruise service on Vietnam Travels to get more information and services.