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What to do in Ha Long Bay: Top Attractions and Activities for Tourists
Ha Long Bay, located approximately 160 km from Hanoi in Quang Ninh province, is a famous tourist destination not only in Northern Vietnam but also worldwide. Ha Long boasts beautiful bays, UNESCO World Heritage sites, diverse tourist activities, and delicious cuisine.
Best Time to Visit Ha Long bay:
Ha Long experiences all four seasons due to its location in Northern Vietnam. April to June offers warm weather with little rain, June to August can be hot with the possibility of storms, and September to December features cooler temperatures. Each season has its unique charm, with summer ideal for swimming and sunbathing, spring and autumn offering pleasant weather for outdoor activities and entertainment venues, and the peak season being from June to August, attracting more visitors, especially on weekends.
Getting Around Ha Long bay:
From Hanoi, tourists can travel to Ha Long by various means of transportation. Besides private cars, there are Limousine buses (Phuc Xuyen, Van Don Xanh, Ha Long Travel, etc.) providing door-to-door service at a cost of 180,000 – 220,000 VND per person. Tourists can also catch regular buses at various stops in Hanoi, costing around 150,000 – 200,000 VND per person.
The ideal route is to take the expressway from Hanoi to Hai Phong, then from Hai Phong to Ha Long. The road is scenic, but visitors should pay attention to road signs, maintain the proper speed, use turn signals when changing lanes, and always fasten seat belts. The travel time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
For long-distance travelers, there is Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh. Visitors from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang can take flights directly to Quang Ninh and then travel by road to Ha Long, about 50 km away. Buses are available from the airport to the city center.
Within Ha Long, tourists without private vehicles can rent motorbikes for 120,000 – 200,000 VND per day. For groups like families or friends, it is recommended to use taxi services (Mai Linh, Thanh Hung, Thinh Hung…) or book Grab (bike or car) or private cars.
Accommodation Options:
Ha Long offers a wide range of accommodation options, including budget hotels, resorts, homestays, guesthouses, and both luxury and budget cruises. Prices for accommodation vary from a few hundred thousand to several million VND per night.
Ha Long is divided into two areas: Bai Chay and Hon Gai, connected by Bai Chay Bridge. Bai Chay area is more focused on tourism with numerous hotels, restaurants, while Hon Gai is mainly residential.
For comfortable homestay options at reasonable prices, tourists can consider places like The Bay, Halong Ginger, Orestay, Deja Vu House. For a more upscale experience, hotels like FLC Grand Hotel on Van Nghe Hill, Wyndham Legend Halong, Novotel, Sai Gon Halong, and the Mường Thanh and Royal Lotus chains are available. The 5-star resorts include Vinpearl Resort and Spa and Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort.
Top Attractions and Activities in Ha Long Bay:
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, captivates tourists with its natural beauty and thousands of limestone islands in various shapes scattered throughout the bay. Popular options include taking a cruise to visit attractions like Ga Choi Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Titop Island.
To fully experience the bay’s tranquility and stunning views, tourists can opt for overnight stays on cruises. There are numerous cruise companies offering various packages such as Heritage Cruises, Paradise Cruise, Stellar of the Seas, Indochine, Scarlet Pearl Cruises, Orchid, Starlight Halong, Dragon Legend, etc.
Tourists can also enjoy an aerial view of Ha Long Bay by taking a helicopter or seaplane tour. Companies like Halong Heli Tours offer tours ranging from 12 to 40 minutes, covering attractions like Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Reu Island, Bai Tu Long Island, and more.
Other attractions worth visiting in Ha Long include:
- Bai Chay Beach: An artificial beach extending nearly 1 km into the sea, offering a great spot for group games, swimming, sunbathing, and sunrise viewing.
- Bai Tho Mountain: With an elevation of 200 meters, it offers panoramic views of Ha Long Bay and the city. The mountain is famous for its inscribed poems and is a popular tourist spot in Quang Ninh.
- Quang Ninh Museum and Library: Located on Tran Quoc Nghien Street, Tuan Chau, the museum showcases the natural sea and land of Quang Ninh province, historical artifacts, and coal mining history in a vivid mine tunnel model.
- 3D Funny Art Museum: An interesting place for photography enthusiasts, with over 40 3D paintings on various themes such as animals, adventures, and fantasy.
- Tuan Chau Park: Located on Tuan Chau Island, it offers various amusement rides like a fairy train, slides, roller coasters, and flying disc.
- Ha Long Night Market: A bustling night market with numerous stalls offering a wide range of goods, from souvenirs and local specialties to jewelry and clothing.
Delicious Cuisine in Ha Long:
Ha Long is renowned for its seafood-based dishes, such as cu ky (mantis shrimp), be be (conch), sa sung (sea cucumber), ngan (oyster), tom (shrimp), cua (crab), ca (fish), and muc (cuttlefish). Bun (vermicelli) dishes with seafood are also popular.
Some recommended dishes to try include:
- Bun Be Be: A popular breakfast and lunch dish in Ha Long. Be be is a type of conch with firm, sweet, and nutritious meat. A bowl of Bun Be Be costs around 30,000 – 40,000 VND.
- Bun Cu Ky: A unique dish that can only be found in Quang Ninh. Cu ky is a type of mantis shrimp, similar to rock lobster but smaller with more meaty claws. The dish is often stir-fried with lemongrass, garlic, tamarind sauce, or coconut, and is delicious when served with white vermicelli and crab claws.
- Trung Hat Sam: An interesting and delicious snack made from sam (sea snails) cooked in various ways, such as stir-fried with sweet and sour sauce or used as stuffing for omelets.
- Banh Cuon Cha Muc: A specialty of Ha Long, it consists of rice rolls filled with minced squid (cha muc) and served with a sweet and sour fish sauce.
- Oc Xao: A popular seafood snack among locals. It is served with various toppings like soy sauce, lemongrass, tamarind sauce, and coconut.
- Sua Chua Tran Chau: A must-try dessert in Ha Long, combining yogurt and pearl tapioca for a refreshing and unique flavor.
Shopping for Souvenirs:
Tourists can buy dried seafood such as dried squid, dried fish, dried shrimp, and dried mantis shrimp, as well as squid paste, as they are
Top attraction should not miss in Quang Ninh
