1. Top things to do in Halong Bay

Explore Ha Long Bay Caves

Halong Bay boasts a remarkable collection of caves that have undergone millions of years of geological evolution. These cavernous wonders, characterized by their colossal dimensions, stunning stalagmites, stalactites, and significant archaeological value, stand as some of the premier attractions in Ha Long City. Among the myriad of caves in the area, the following five are especially noteworthy and warrant exploration:

• Thien Cung Cave: a heaven on Earth thanks to the beauty of the colorful stalactites
• Sung Sot Cave: the most popular cave in Ha Long Bay
• Dau Go Grotto: one of the most stunning caves in Ha Long Bay
• Luon Cave: a famous destination for kayaking
• Trinh Nu Cave: one of the finest sunlight-filled caves with an emotional love tale

Take a seaplane tour/ Scenic flight over the bay

Travelers should opt for a seaplane tour around Halong Bay for its unparalleled aerial views of the bay's stunning landscapes and the thrilling experience it offers. It's a luxurious and efficient way to explore the region while avoiding road congestion, providing excellent photography opportunities and adding an exclusive touch to your journey.

 

Go Kayaking

Kayaking is a must-try outdoor activity in Ha Long Bay, offering an immersive way to intimately experience the natural beauty of this captivating landscape. There's nothing quite like the serenity of paddling through emerald waters, encountering limestone mountains, serenaded by birdsong, and relishing the gentle breeze as you explore.

Wander around Halong night market

• Address: Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Bai Chay
• Opening hours: 6.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m

The Ha Long Night Market comes alive after dark and is a bustling hotspot in Ha Long City. With over 100 food stalls spread across two floors, visitors can indulge in a wide array of Ha Long specialties. On the first floor, you'll find departments for shoes, bags, and souvenirs, while the second floor offers a delightful selection of local delicacies like squid sausage, horseshoe crab, and sipunculus nudus.

Stay overnight on a cruise ship

Spend a night on a charming cruise ship amidst the stunning limestone karsts. Wake up to breathtaking views of Halong Bay right from your cabin.

Explore Sun World Halong Park

Dive into the excitement of Sun World Halong Park, an amusement park offering thrilling rides, vibrant entertainment, and panoramic vistas of the bay from a cable car.

Watch water music show in Tuan Chau Island

Experience the magic of a mesmerizing water music show on Tuan Chau Island, where music and water come together in a captivating display.

Sample local seafood & specialties

Delight your taste buds with a culinary adventure, savoring the freshest local seafood and mouthwatering specialties unique to Halong Bay.

Visit Quang Ninh Museum

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the region by visiting Quang Ninh Museum, where history, art, and local traditions come to life.

Climb Bai Tho Mountain

Embark on a rewarding hike up Bai Tho Mountain to witness panoramic vistas of Halong Bay, capturing the essence of its breathtaking beauty.

Visit pagodas

For those seeking a taste of local culture and spirituality, pay a visit to Yen Tu Pagoda and Ba Vang Pagoda, both steeped in history and serene atmospheres.

Sunbathe in Titov Island

Soak up the sun's warmth and relax on the pristine shores of Titov Island, a perfect spot for sunbathing and swimming

Explore Caves

Venture into the mysterious caves of Halong Bay, each with its own unique formations and legends waiting to be uncovered.

Cruise through Halong Bay

Embark on a memorable cruise through Halong Bay, where you'll sail among thousands of limestone islets, each with its own story and natural charm.

Go rock climbing at Lan Ha Bay

Located to the East of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay is a laid-back alternative to the vibrant atmosphere of Ha Long Bay with a more soothing feeling. It is home to 400 limestone cliffs and numerous rocky mountains, making it suitable for rock climbing. Rock climbing at Lan Ha Bay allures a lot of enthusiastic adventurers, especially foreign visitors. If you want to challenge your mentality and bravery, you should try this once.

2. Halong Bay weather

The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is during the months of April to June, when the weather is ideal for swimming and leisurely evenings on the deck. During this period, the skies are usually clear and blue, providing excellent visibility for exploring the enchanting karst islands and intricate grottos. Another favorable time to experience Ha Long Bay is in the winter, specifically from October to December, as it tends to be dry on most days. During these months, the mist accentuates the magnificent layers of the landscape, resulting from varying distances between the islands, creating a captivating and mysterious atmosphere for your exploration.

3. Transportation: How to Get to & Around Ha Long Bay

Shaped by the land and the sea, Halong Bay transportation offers various ways of getting to and around, ranging from roadway, waterway, railway, to airway. To get in-depth information about Halong Bay transportation, follow our guide to getting in and getting around Halong Bay for the most essential travel experiences on your trip.

Getting to Halong Bay

There are a great number of domestic travel routes between Halong Bay and other destinations in Vietnam. Known as a famous place to visit in Vietnam, Halong Bay is home to an international airport (Van Don International Airport), a heliport, a seaplane station, three major ports (Tuan Chau, Hon Gai, and Got Pier), and many bus stations. As a result, Halong Bay is easily reached by various means of transportation: public bus, shuttle bus, private car, motorbike, train, boat, flight, and seaplane. Choosing the best way to get to Halong Bay greatly depends on the distance, duration, and budget of your transportation.

Hanoi to Halong Bay

Hanoi - Halong Bay is the most popular travel route with a distance of approximately 165km. It takes around 2.5 – 3.5 hours via roadway, 6.5 hours via railway, and only 45 minutes via airway to transfer between Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Sapa to Halong Bay

The second popular travel route is Sapa – Halong Bay, which is about 480km in total. It takes from 8 – 12 hours to transfer between Sapa and Halong Bay.

Getting around Halong Bay 

In terms of getting around in Halong Bay, it is a piece of cake to transfer from an attraction to another by motorbike, car, taxi, bicycle, shuttle bus, boat, or cruise. The most budget way must be motorbike rent, while a taxi is the most expensive but convenient option.