Halong Bay Overview

Designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is a mighty and magnificent artwork of nature that attract flocks of tourists from all over. Proud to be the 29th member of The Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World in 2003, this bay is the number-one tourist attraction of Northern Vietnam, especially famous for relaxing cruise holidays.

Visiting this breathtaking bay, tourists will be amazed by the thousands of islands rising from the emerald water, mysterious caves, and unspoiled lagoons.

Not only giant limestone pillars made the attraction, but the culture of a coastal site also contributes to the charm of Halong Bay. Pick a nice-weather day and book a private ride from Vietnam Airport Car to Halong Bay to emerge yourself in this world-class destination.

Halong Bay Overview

Halong Bay Overview

What To Do And What To See In Halong Bay?

As Halong is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, you can expect to experience the most majestic natural landscapes and the fascinating cultural values of this bay. Equip yourself with a bit of background information about what to see and do on a Halong Bay tour to have the vacation of your lifetime.

relax with the spectacular scenery in Halong Bay

Relaxing with the spectacular scenery in Halong Bay

Halong Bay has something for every kind of traveler. For leisure tourists,  just relax on the deck of a cruise and the panoramic view will make your heart skip a beat. There are a wide variety of cruises in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay so you should decide whether you prefer to sail in an old-fashion junk or a modern steel boat. From basic services to fancy entertaining facilities, surely you can choose the perfect cruise for your Halong Bay boat trip.

The trip to Halong Bay could not be complete without the experience of cruising around endless attractions in Halong Bay. Literally “The Bay of Descending Dragon”, the bay features some 2,000 limestone islands, 59 discovered caves and grottoes, and dozens of beaches.

Kayaking to explore the caves on Halong Bay

Kayaking to explore the caves on Halong Bay

Tourists are impressed by the different shapes and sizes of the islands here, from Ga Choi (Fighting Cocks), and Con Coc (Toad) to Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace). Other top attractions in Halong Bay are the largest cave - Sung Sot cave and Titop Island - small but exceedingly pretty sight from afar.

For adventurous tourists, you can join water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, swimming at lagoons, or even trekking in the jungle.

To get to know the local culture, try squid fishing and visit a floating village to have a closer look at the usual life of the people in Halong Bay. You can also learn new skills from numerous workshops and master classes. Don’t worry because you will receive devoted assistance from the tour guides of Vietnam Airport Car and the hospitable locals.

As there are so many attractions and activities to do, most tourists actually prefer organized tours. With a Halong Bay Day Tour, you’ll get to explore the highlighted natural landscapes and explore all the other activities. Let your trip to Halong Bay be mesmerizing and the holiday of a lifetime.

What to eat and drink in Halong Bay?

After all those sightseeing and experimental activities, you must be staving. But no worry, because the cuisine in Halong Bay not only fills up your stomach but makes you remember its popular mouth-watering dishes.

It is no surprise that Cha Muc (Grilled Chopped Squid) draws flocks of tourists as the squid is exclusively from Halong Bay (that’s why fishing even develop into a tourist experience.) The secret that makes this dish crunchy and delicate is the patiently grinding-up meat by hand.

Besides this nutritious dish, you can try the fresh seafood in the floating restaurant, ranging from horseshoe crab, snail, oysters, and shrimp,...  If you travel on a day trip cruise, you can have these delicious specialties onboard.

Cha Muc (Grilled Chopped Squid)

Cha Muc (Grilled Chopped Squid)

When to visit Halong Bay?

Since the things to do in Halong Bay are mainly outdoors, the weather is a must to consider in your travel plan for Halong Bay tours. The whole four seasons in this bay come with different pros and cons, however, the two times considered the most favorable to visit Halong Bay are September to November, and from March to May. At these times of the year, you can enjoy Halong Bay in the clear blue sky and pleasant temperatures.

On the other hand, these peak seasons come with more crowded and expensive costs, so an alternative option is to visit Halong Bay in the off-season months. Between May and September, you can find better flights, cruises, or other service rates, and the scenery is lit up with the steamy sunny weather, whereas in January or February, the bay turns misty and mysterious in the foggy weather.

Cycling to discover life on the island

Cycling to discover life on the island

Tours in Halong Bay

Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: It is easy to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay and vice versa. With a distance of 180 km and about 3 hours of driving, tourists can depart from Vietnam’s capital by plane, bus, or a private car service from Vietnam Airport Car.

Halong Bay Day trip is suitable for experiencing the highlighted attractions and having a glance at the marvelous bay. The tour departs from Hanoi city center and arrives at Tuan Chau Harbour before tourists can get on the cruise.

You will have an opportunity to visit the most popular caves and islands around Halong Bay, join the exciting water sports, or discover the offbeat tracks of the local people’s daily life.

Besides a Halong Bay day trip, you can check out a 2-day-1-night or 3-day-2-night cruise to discover more about the destination. Sunrise and sunrise on the beach might be an unforgettable experience, not to mention the activities that can only be held on an overnight cruise.

It will be a pity if we don’t mention the surrounding landscapes of Halong Bay. Lan Ha Bay tour also attracts travelers with its majestic nature and a lighter density of tourists. You can also join a tour to Cat Ba - one of the best Islands to explore around Halong Bay.

Exciting activities when you experience the tour on Halong Bay

Exciting activities when you experience the tour of Halong Bay

The diverse biosphere of this Island is impressive with the golden-headed langur, seventy species of bird, and more than a thousand plant species. Hikers can follow some excellent hiking trails on the island to immerse in the excursion.

Besides enjoying a vacation on the coastal site of Northern Vietnam, you might want to check out the mountainous gems of this region.

A Sapa tour from Hanoi will give you a journey to the highest mountain peak of Indochina and savor the unique ethnic cuisine, or a Ha Giang loop tour to explore even the further and higher part of Vietnam,... many other destinations of Vietnam are waiting for you to explore with Vietnam Airport Car!

Hope that our blog can provide some helpful information for your vacation in Halong Bay. If you want to book a Halong Bay Day Trip or have any further questions about this charming bay, connect with us so we can assist you at our best.