Ha Long Bay is a must see in Vietnam. No trip to the north of Vietnam is complete without a visit to Ha Long Bay. We will share some tips with you for getting an unforgettable trip here !
Ha Long Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 square km. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie – the paradise. The fact is that Ha Long Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies. You can go to Ha Long City is by car, minibus or bus from Hanoi which is only 170 km away. The best and most usual route is to take a bus from Hanoi. Some people visit for the day and others choose to stay on board a boat or even on an island. If you want to experience a wonderful way and do not care about the cost, an hour-long helicopter transfer is also available.
So, you've decided to give it a go, or at least get there before it's totally compromised, and like other tourists you want to find a reliable cruise, as you're worried by news reports of boats sinking or scams warning.
We will introduce you all things you need to discover this paradise. Let's begin!
1. How to go to Ha Long Bay?
Ha Long Bay is surrounded by Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and Van Don Island District in Quang Ninh Province. Ha Long Bay has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Arriving in Ha Long, visitors can take a boat to the bay to see a series of limestone and schist islands with great structure and shape. Some outstanding attractions should be admired when travelling Ha Long is Con Coc Island, Ga Choi Island, Ti Top Island, Ngoc Vung Island, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave and Bai Tu Long Bay.
Before seeing the beauty of Ha Long Bay, you have to go to Ha Long city.
- Go by Car/Motorbike. You can choose go to Ha Long city form Ha Noi capital by Car or Motorbike. It’s easy to find the best way by Google Map.
- Go by bus: You can go to big Bus firms concentrated in My Dinh bus station. The first trip departs at 6:00 am and the last at 17:00 pm (the journey takes 3-4 hours). Each 5 to 15 minutes there is a bus depart. The destination is Bai Chay bus station in Ha Long, Quang Ninh province. Bus fares range from $5 / person seat to $9/bed.
- Seaplane: ticket fee is about $180/one-way
Currently, besides the usual means of transportation, Ha Long Bay tourists from Hanoi also have new options with modern and luxurious seaplane of Hai Au Airlines.
The aircraft with 2 seats for pilots, 12 seats for passengers and spacious windows, not only helps visitors save travel time, but also helps you comfortably see the beautiful view from the plane, also such as recording memorable moments of Ha Long Bay from a height of 150 to 3,000 meters above sea level.
To book a seaplane flight, you can visit the website: seaplanes.vn, or book a ticket through the phone number: 096 296 0689.
Source: image 1+2: travipme.com; image 3: cristaltran
There are several taxi companies in Ha Long city for you if needed:
Ha Long: 033 362 62 62.
Hong Gai: 033 384 84 84
Mai Linh: 033 3628 628
Thanh Hung: 033. 3659659
Quang Ninh: 033. 3656656
Cruise to Ha Long Bay:
You can rent a cruise to visit Ha Long Bay through tourist agencies or at the following two ports:
- Tuan Chau international port (Tel: 033.3842134)
- Hon Gai Port Vinashin (Tel: 033.3628234)
Ship rental price on Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay varies by ship type (fluctuate from 30$/night normally to over $200/night for the 5-star cruise) and by how long you want to stay.
- Freight rates for transporting visitors during the day often cost you about $5 to $30 depends on what route and what ship you choose.
-Ha Long Bay cruises are available at almost every hotel and travel agency in Vietnam. Ha Long Bay is an impressive geographical formation in northern Vietnam. It has over 1,900 islets with pristine beaches, limestone caves, inland lakes, and floating villages so this is the best way to experience this landscape. Depending on your budget, you can opt for a luxurious cruiser or budget diesel-powered junk to explore Ha Long Bay. Do allow for at least an overnight stay as there are plenty of things to see and do here. Our suggestion is choosing 2 or 3 nights on the cruise. If you want to immerse to local culture, you can choose a normal cruise. But if you want to relax and don’t want to be at a noisy place, 5-star-cruise with 2 or 3 nights could be a better choice. All of the cruises typically include English-speaking guides, hotel transfers, and entrance fees, meals, and on-board entertainment. You get to discover various islets, beaches, villages, and grottoes on a more relaxed pace. It also offers stops for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, and trekking. What an amazing feeling when go by kayak to discover places that no one has come yet. If you're not a fan of outdoor activities, you can just relax and admire the stunning scenery.
2. Attractions nearby
Cat Ba island
Ha Long Bay cruises vary depending on the season and weather. One of the most popular stops in Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Island (also called an eco-smart island). It has floating villages, hotels, restaurants, and bars that are set against a backdrop of lush mountains. The island is also home to endangered animals, such as Cat Ba langurs, southern serows, black giant squirrels, and civet cats.
Cat Ba Island is famous for its artificial pearls, delicious Geo-duck (Lutraria philippinarumand) and mantis shrimp. You can buy them at a reasonable price.
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay is located in the Southeast of Cat Ba island, near Van sea mouth and connecting with Ha Long Bay. Its scenery are not as beautiful as Ha Long Bay's, but original characteristics. The limestone mountain density is here crowed, neglected and devised sea face into little bays, gulfs of which many of them are still not discovered yet. Hundreds of mountains of diversified shapes as Guoc islet (Clog Islet), Roi mountain (like a bat with widely opened wings). It's a lovely place for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and rock climbing.
Dau Be Island - one of the most beautiful spot in Ha Long Bay. It is another island listed on most Ha Long Bay cruises. It is located 28 km from Bai Chay Port. It's a prominent swimming and diving spot with a rich coral system, deep grottoes, and six inland lakes. You can only visit the caves by rowing boat at low tide. You can spot golden monkeys and flying squirrels here. Bo Hon Island is where you can find Ha Long Bay’s most famous caves. Sung Sot, Trinh Nu and Trong Cave are set against a backdrop of mountains, cliffs, and lush forest. Accessible within a two-hour boat ride from Bai Chay Port, it’s widely regarded as Ha Long Bay’s natural park. There are plenty of cycads, orchids, and banyan trees. It's also home to wild monkeys, deer, and chamois.
Ti Top Island: an island with steep banks, an inclined bank with a white, flat sandy beach. The cruise ships often visit here. Guests go ashore to swim or climb to the top of the mountain to see the whole view of the island. Looking down from above, Ti To beach is shaped like a moon embracing the island's legs. Unlike many other tourist spots on Ha Long Bay, besides the beautiful natural landscape, Ti Top Island also possesses a beautiful beach, called Ti Top beach. The beach, although not large, is quiet, airy and very clean, pure white sand, blue sea and there are four seasons here.
Sung Sot Cave has two chambers with a square-shaped outer chamber and a 30-metre-tall limestone ceiling. Set within Bo Hon Island, its inner chamber formations resemble sentries conversing with one another. There’s another formation in the middle of the chamber that looks like a general surveying his troops.
Cua Van Fishing Village: One of the most Vietnamese destinations of Ha Long tourism. This is one of the most ancient fishing villages in Vietnam. In Cua Van fishing village, tourists can not only immerse themselves in a comfortable, peaceful space but also learn about the cultural life of fishermen, learn how to row a boat, spread nets, and fishing and catch shrimp.
3. Top 6 tips: How to make the most of it
While any visit to Ha Long Bay will be magnificent here are six hints to help make a more memorable stay.
a. Stay a little longer
A two-day cruise is a treat but travelers enjoying the extra time should join a three-day voyage (more is better), making the most of the extra hours to venture further from Tuan Chau Island and explore locations away from the standard Ha Long Bay sightseeing circuit.
b. Go modern
There are dozens of boats carrying tourists around Ha Long Bay and, while some seem barely seaworthy and too old, there are many luxury Cruises which provide wonderful service could satisfy the demands of international travelers.
c. Discover other islands and Caves around Ha Long Bay, such as Lan Ha Bay, Sung Sot Cave, etc.
d. Try some adventure activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and rock climbing.
e. There must be a price agreement before using any service if you do not want to pay more or to be scammed.
f. Last but not least, contribute to keeping the environment clean!
Have you been to Ha Long Bay?
Share your experience with us below!
(inspired by vietnam-guide.com, ivivu.com)