Unforgettable Experiences in Ha Long Bay

Approximately 160 kilometers from Hanoi, Ha Long City in Quang Ninh province is a famous tourist destination not only in the North, nationwide but also worldwide. Ha Long boasts a beautiful bay, world heritage sites, diverse tourism activities, delicious food, and more.

1. Best Time to Visit Ha Long

Located in northern Vietnam, Ha Long experiences four distinct seasons. From April to June, the weather is warm and dry. July to August is hot and rainy, while September to December is cool and sometimes cold. Each season offers a unique charm. Summer is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, while spring and autumn are ideal for enjoying a quieter Ha Long and participating in outdoor activities and exploring amusement parks. The peak season is from June to August, making the city crowded, especially on weekends.

2. Getting There

There are many ways to travel from Hanoi to Ha Long. Besides private cars, there are limousine services (Phuc Xuyen, Van Don Xanh, Ha Long Travel…) with fares ranging from 180,000 to 220,000 VND per person. Alternatively, you can take a bus from various bus stations in Hanoi. Bus tickets cost around 150,000 to 200,000 VND per person.
The most ideal route is the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long expressway. The road is in good condition, but you should pay attention to traffic signs, drive at the correct speed, turn on your signal lights when changing lanes, and always wear a seatbelt. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Quang Ninh has Van Don Airport. Therefore, travelers from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang can fly directly to Quang Ninh, then take a bus from the airport to Ha Long City, which is about 50 kilometers away.
In Ha Long, if you don’t have your own vehicle, you can rent a motorbike for 120,000 to 200,000 VND per day. For groups such as families, friends, or colleagues, you can rent a taxi (Mai Linh, Thanh Hung, Thinh Hung…), book Grab (bike or car), or a private car.

3. Hotels and Homestays

Accommodation options in Ha Long are diverse, including budget hotels, resorts, homestays, guesthouses, and cruises, ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million VND per night.
Ha Long City is divided into two areas: Bai Chay and Hon Gai, connected by Bai Chay Bridge. Bai Chay is home to many tourist attractions, hotels, and restaurants, while Hon Gai is mainly residential.
If you prefer a more relaxed and affordable homestay, you can consider The Bay, Halong Ginger, Orestay, Deja Vu House… For a more luxurious experience, you can book a room at hotels such as FLC Grand Hotel on Van Nghe Hill, Wyndham Legend Halong, Novotel, Sai Gon Ha Long, Muong Thanh system, Royal Lotus… Five-star resorts include Vinpearl Resort and Spa and Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort.
You can book your accommodation through various channels: online booking websites (Agoda, Booking, iVivu…), directly with the hotel, or through travel agents.

4. Things to Do

Ha Long Bay, a world heritage site, boasts a mesmerizing natural beauty that attracts both domestic and international tourists. The bay is dotted with thousands of limestone islands of various shapes, creating a spectacular landscape that is unlike anywhere else in the world. A popular choice is taking a sightseeing cruise, with itineraries passing through points such as Ga Choi Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Titop Island.

For the most immersive experience, consider staying on a cruise. You’ll enjoy the tranquility and fresh air while cruising through the vast waters of the bay, which is known for its calm waters and little wind.
Ha Long offers numerous cruise operators with 1 to 5-star standards, such as Heritage Cruises, Paradise Cruise, Stellar of the Seas, Indochine, Scarlet Pearl Cruises, Orchid, Starlight Ha Long, Dragon Legend, and more. If you are traveling in a group or with a small family, you can choose package tours. For large families or groups, chartering a private boat with Kim’s Travel Ha Long Bay could be a suitable option.
On these “floating hotels,” guests can enjoy luxurious meals, swim in outdoor pools, and admire the night view of the sea. Some cruise tours also offer experiences like morning tai chi, swimming, kayaking, night squid fishing, visiting fishing villages, pearl farms, and cooking classes.

In addition to cruising and rowing boats, visitors can also admire the bay from above by helicopter or seaplane. A helicopter or seaplane tour will provide you with a new perspective of the entire bay’s beauty. If you choose Halong Heli Tours, you can take a 12-minute, 25-minute, or 40-minute sightseeing tour, with prices ranging from 1.9 to 5.4 million VND per person, covering Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Reu Island, and Bai Tu Long. If you choose a seaplane flight with Hai Au Aviation, a 25-minute sightseeing tour costs 1.5 million VND per person.

4.1. Bai Chay Beach

This artificial beach, located behind Sun World Park, has been extended by nearly 1 kilometer. The wide, clean beach is perfect for group activities, swimming, sunbathing, or taking a stroll to watch the sunrise.
Public services such as showering, changing rooms, and toilets are available for a fee of 20,000 VND per use. Besides Bai Chay, Ha Long has many other beautiful beaches for visitors to explore, such as Titop Island, Marina Bay Ha Long, Ba Trai Dao, or the beaches in Tuan Chau and Sun World.

4.2. Bai Tho Mountain

Standing at 200 meters, Bai Tho Mountain is considered a fantastic viewpoint overlooking Ha Long Bay and the city. Originally named Truyen Dang, meaning “lighthouse,” the mountain served as a vital lookout post for the northeastern border for thousands of years, guiding ships on the bay.
In 1468, when King Le Thanh Tong had a poem inscribed on the mountain’s wall, Truyen Dang was renamed Bai Tho (Poem Mountain). Today, it has become a popular tourist destination in Quang Ninh.
As the path to Bai Tho Mountain is hidden in the small alleys of Hang Noi Street, Bach Dang Ward, not everyone knows about it.
Visitors to Ha Long often climb Bai Tho Mountain because of recommendations from local friends. Otherwise, you can ask for directions from people on Hang Noi Street if you want to conquer the mountain yourself.
Note: Visitors should check with the management about the current status of the mountain as there may be times when climbing is prohibited due to safety concerns.

4.3. Quang Ninh Museum

Located on Tran Quoc Nghiem Street, Tuan Chau, the museum is open from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM daily except Mondays. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND for adults, 20,000 VND for students, and 10,000 VND for children.
The first floor of the Quang Ninh Museum showcases the marine ecosystem, the second floor displays historical artifacts, and the third floor recreates the history of coal mining in a vivid mine model.

4.4. 3D Funny Art Museum

A fun place to check-in, featuring over 40 paintings with themes of animals, adventure, science fiction, etc. The entrance fee is 80,000 VND per visit.
Located in Marine Plaza Shopping Center, the museum is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

4.5. Tuan Chau Island Park

Located on Tuan Chau Island, this is a diverse amusement park with attractions such as a fairy tale train, slides, roller coasters, flying saucers, and swing rides. Opening hours are from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 350,000 VND per person. Children under 1 meter are free. Dolphin shows or water music performances cost 100,000 VND for adults and 60,000 VND for children.

4.6. Tran Quoc Nghiem Coastal Road

Located in Hon Gai, this 4.7-kilometer road stretches from Bai Tho Bridge to the Ha Long – Cam Pha coastal road and was inaugurated in May 2020. This area features a spacious beachfront, creating a scenic highlight for the city. Residents can exercise here, while tourists can enjoy the view of Ha Long Bay and take advantage of various amenities such as playgrounds, parking lots, beaches, and sports areas.

4.7. Sun World Park

One of the largest amusement parks in Vietnam, spanning 214 hectares. In addition to swimming, visitors can enjoy the Vinpearl Water World, Dragon Park, Typhoon Water Park, check-in on the famous Koi Bridge, visit the Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu spiritual complex, explore the Japanese garden, visit the wax museum, and explore the upside-down house.
The park consists of two complexes: the coastal area and the Ba Deo peak. Highlights include the Queen cable car and the mysterious hill, with ticket prices ranging from 250,000 to 350,000 VND per person. Dragon Park tickets cost 200,000 to 300,000 VND per person with unlimited rides. Typhoon Water Park tickets cost 350,000 VND per person.

4.8. Bai Chay Old Quarter

Located on Ha Long Street, Bai Chay, this is a perfect destination for those who love to check-in. Visitors can explore and take photos for free.

4.9. Ha Long Night Market

This is a night shopping and dining paradise, located on Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Bai Chay, and open from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM. The market has hundreds of stalls selling various goods, from souvenirs and specialties to sweets, jewelry, and clothing.

5. What to Eat

• Squid Cake – A Famous Ha Long Specialty

The first answer to the question of what to eat in Ha Long Bay is squid cake – a must-try specialty. These golden, fragrant, and crispy fried fish cakes are sure to delight you.

• Ha Long Earthworm Cake

Ha Long earthworm cake is a delicious and nutritious specialty that many tourists love and often buy as gifts. Fried earthworm cakes have an attractive yellow color, a seductive aroma, and a crispy crust but are not dry. Earthworm cake with noodles is also a must-try dish on your trip to Ha Long Bay.

• Steamed Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe crab is a type of sea crab with two large claws, full of meat. Although not as flavorful as crab meat, it is much tastier than crab meat and is also very affordable. According to Ha Long travel experience, besides steamed horseshoe crab, you can also try tamarind-roasted horseshoe crab, charcoal-grilled horseshoe crab, or horseshoe crab stir-fried with vermicelli.

• Sandworm

Sandworms are a very precious seafood, costing from 4 to 5 million VND per kilogram. When visiting Quang Ninh, don’t forget to try the specialty dishes made from sandworms such as crispy fried sandworms, roasted sandworms, and sandworms stir-fried with tamarind.

• Sea Cucumber

Sea cucumber is also a specialty of Ha Long that you cannot miss. Famous dishes you should try include steamed sea cucumber, grilled sea cucumber cartilage, sea cucumber and pig’s blood soup, sweet and sour stir-fried sea cucumber feet, deep-fried sea cucumber balls, and sea cucumber stir-fried with perilla leaves.

• Snail Stir-Fried with Soy Sauce

People in Ha Long stir-fry snails with mint, shredded coconut, and lime leaves. The rich aroma of the sauce combined with the crispy, fatty, and slightly spicy stir-fried snails will make visitors rave about it.

Cre: Du Hy/vnexpress