A full guide to Vietnam´ s incredible Ha Long Bay
Vịnh Hạ Long – the most beautiful bay in the country of Vietnam. The Ha Long Bay has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the North of Vietnam and an absolute must-do during your travels. With thousands of lime stone mountains in the water, small islands and hidden beaches, the Ha Long Bay is indeed a unique place.
If you are travelling through Vietnam, you definitely need to put the Ha Long Bay on your list.
But what is the best way to explore the bay? What are fun activities you should not miss out on and how do you plan your stay on a budget? This full guide on the incredible Ha Long Bay answers all your questions.
How to get to the Ha Long Bay
The Ha Long Bay is located in the North of Vietnam, about 3.5 hours outside of Hanoi on the East Coast. If you decide to book a tour to visit the Ha Long Bay, they usually include a pick-up from your accommodation in Hanoi. Another way to reach the Ha Long Bay is by bus. As the place is a highlight for tourists, the route is quite popular and you can easily get a bus ticket.
The cruises through the Ha Long Bay all start from Ha Long City. Yet, you will not see much from the city as they will drive directly to the harbor. One ferry agency is next to another and around midday, when the cruises return from the bay and pick up the new passengers, it can actually be quite busy.
The best way to explore the Ha Long Bay
Of course, the number one thing to do in the Ha Long Bay is getting on a cruise.
As you cannot really see the limestone mountains from the main land, it is essential to get on a boat to get closer to the spectacle. While you can book a day trip through the bay, you can as well book a multi-day cruise. Most of the offers range from one to three nights during which you can experience your own Ha Long Bay adventure.
Often, travellers do complain about the prices of the cruises or the crowds of tourists. But should this be the reason why you decide against a cruise? Absolutely not. Despite the cruises being quite a touristy thing to do, they are still worth it. Spending a night in the bay and waking up in between the impressive small islands is a memorable experience in Vietnam.
Luckily, there are different cruises which you can decide on. While some are very luxurious others are more budget-friendly and offer a special experience.
Check out the Rosa Cruise on Booking.com (personal recommendation). This cruise allows you to see the Ha Long Bay a little distant from the usual routes. Instead of following the other cruises through the Bay, the Rosa Cruise takes another way and gets you to quieter areas.
To sum it up: the best way to explore the Ha Long Bay is to get on a cruise. Find a good offer fitting your budget and your likings and you will not regret your decision. The nights in the Ha Long Bay are mostly full of laughter and joy as different travellers come together. You will also learn quite a lot from the locals as one guide is always on board.
Where do you book your tour?
There are different options to book a tour. You should definitely book the cruise in advance. Especially during the high season, they sell out quite fast. Tourist agencies in Hanoi will be happy to sell you a Ha Long Bay Cruise. Another option is to look it up on booking.com. They have a great selection of different cruises for every budget, usually starting at around 80 Euro per night.
Make sure to contact the agency after you have booked to ensure you get picked up from Hanoi. The transport, which is offered by the agencies, is convenient and you should definitely book it. This avoids hassle or you missing out on the boat leaving to the Ha Long Bay (as public busses can be a little inconvenient).
The TOP expereinces in the Ha Long Bay
How do you make sure you are not missing out on any highlight in the Ha Long Bay? Of course, the bay is more than just a tour on a cruise. You can actually spend a whole week here exploring new areas and fun activities to do. But what are the best things on which you should not miss out?
Go on a kayak tour
Kayaking through one of the most stunning landscapes in Asia – there is no way to get closer to the lime stone mountains in the Ha Long Bay than with a kayak. Most cruises offer a kayak tour which you can join. Depending on the cruise you book, you will either be kayaking in the main area where all the other tourists stop as well or in a more remote area. The latter, of course, is the best option as you can really experience the surrounding area.
Paddling through the emerald green water and being this close to nature, is one of the best things to do in the Ha Long Bay. Sitting in the kayak and watching up to the top of the mountains all around you is one of these special moments of travelling. You know how that feels like?
Enjoy the beautiful beaches
Of course, the Ha Long Bay has some hidden beaches. They can only be reached by boat or by a cruise. If you are staying for two nights, make sure to check them out and spend a day relaxing at the beautiful beaches. Most of them are located on tiny islands and actually remind you of a secret paradise.
Travellers love to visit the Titop Beach on Titop Island or the Ba Trai Dao Beach in the Land Ha Bay. If you love to travel off the beaten path, you should take the boat to Ban Chan Beach.
Whatever beach you choose, the highlight is the view. The clear water and the lime stone mountains all over the horizon – a beach day in the Ha Long Bay truly is unforgettable!
Jump from the boat
Jumping into the water in the middle of the Ha Long Bay during sunset – isn´t this one of these bucketlist moments?
Depending on where you are located, check with the captain of the cruise if it is okay to go for a swim. Be aware that in some areas, swimming is forbidden and they need to respect the rules.
If you are allowed to jump into the water you should take the chance. Together with the other guests on the boat, this can be incredibly fun before getting ready for a delicious dinner on board. If this isn´t one of the best things to do in the Ha Long Bay…
Go for a hike
Did you know that the Ha Long Bay is mostly famous among the outdoor and adventure lovers? One of the best things to do in the area is go on a hike. There are different tracks on different islands which makes the Ha Long Bay a little paradise for hiking lovers.
All the popular hikes and outdoor activities are on the Cat Ba Island, the biggest island in the bay. You can as well spend some days on the Cat Ba Island itself. Here you will find the ultimate beaches, some nice restaurants and great trails to hike on.
The hike to Poem Mountain?
For sure, if you search for the best hikes in the Ha Long Bay, you will also come across the Poem Mountain. Until 20219, this was the ultimate spot in the Ha Long Bay and the best you could possibly do. From the Poem Mountain, you have an incredible view over the entire bay with all the island. It simply is breathtaking!
The only problem is that the way up the mountain was closed by the government. It used to be a secret entrance as you could only reach the hike from a private local house. An old lady was supposed to let you through the doors – but she doesn´t anymore. With the reasoning that the hike is too dangerous, it was closed for travellers in the summer of 2019. Finger´s crossed this will change!
Join a cooking class
A Vietnamese cooking class is a great thing to do on your cruise. Most tours do include a cooking class and it is highly recommended to join. The Vietnamese cuisine is special and very delicious, as you will notice the further you travel through the country.
You will learn how to do spring rolls or other local dishes. You will learn about the cooking tips of the locals and their favorite spices. When travelling through Vietnam, a cooking class is a must-do. And why not do it in the Ha Long Bay with the most stunning scenic background?
Watch the morning dawn
On your days in the Ha Long Bay, you should set your alarm early. It is absolutely worth to get up as early as possible to watch the bay waking up. The morning dawn between the mountains is a special sight, when the first sun rays hit the water and the nature awakes.
Most cruises have an open deck on which you can enjoy your first coffee with one of the most beautiful views Vietnam has to offer!
Vietnam Photography in the Bay
Wherever you go in the Ha Long Bay, do not forget your camera. If you love landscape photography and travel photography, the area is worth a visit. Especially in the morning or when you visit an island, you will get some unique captures.
How many days to spend in the Ha Long Bay?
It is recommended to spend at least two nights in the Ha Long Bay. Of course, you can as well just spend one night on the cruise if you are short on time. But if you have the time, it is totally worth to stay a little longer.
For those travellers who cannot get enough of the view, the island of Cat Ba is the best place to spend some days and enjoy the landscape!
For more tips on travelling the beautiful country of Vietnam check out What to skip in Vietnam and what to do instead.
