Essential Travel Tips to Fully Explore Ha Long Bay
With thousands of large and small islands rising above the jade-colored waters, a system of mysterious caves, and pristine beaches that have preserved their natural beauty, Ha Long Bay – one of the most popular natural wonders in the world – is a must-visit destination for those who love majestic landscapes and want to explore the miraculous creations of nature.
Ha Long Bay, located on the western shore of the Gulf of Tonkin, includes the coastal islands of Ha Long city in Quang Ninh Province. The Bay spans an area of about 1,553 km², consisting of 1,969 islands, with 980 of them officially named. It is home to crystal-clear waters, a diverse natural landscape, and attracts millions of tourists each year.
Not only is Ha Long Bay a captivating sightseeing destination, but it also offers a variety of exciting activities for visitors. You can join boat tours to admire the breathtaking scenery, choose kayaking to explore mysterious caves, or challenge yourself with activities such as rock climbing and diving.
Ideal time to visit
Located in the northern region of Vietnam, Ha Long has a climate with all four distinct seasons. From April to June, the weather is warm and dry. Between June and August, it is hot and may experience storms. From September, the weather becomes cooler and gradually turns cold from December to March of the following year.
The late spring to early summer period is considered the best time to visit Ha Long Bay. During this time, the weather is sunny and warm, the sea is calm with gentle waves, making it ideal for tourists to enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, and hiking.
After the rainy and stormy season in Ha Long (July-August), the weather becomes cool and pleasant again at the beginning of autumn. Many people believe this is the best time of the year to enjoy the sunset over Ha Long Bay.
In winter, Ha Long often experiences drizzly rain and mist. In the chilly weather, the scenery in the bay takes on a magical and mysterious beauty. This is a rare opportunity for those who enjoy sightseeing and drifting on a boat along the water to explore the hidden caves.
Depending on your preferences and the purpose of your trip, you can visit Ha Long at any time of the year. If you enjoy experiencing different aspects of a destination, you can return to Ha Long each season. Sunbathe in spring, swim in summer, admire the scenery in autumn, and enjoy the chill in the bay during winter. The peak tourist season in Ha Long begins from June to August. The city tends to be crowded during holidays and weekends.
How to travel to Ha Long conveniently?
If starting the journey from Hanoi, tourists can travel by various means. Many people choose to drive their own cars or motorbikes to Ha Long, and the Hanoi-Hai Phong, Hai Phong-Ha Long expressway is considered a beautiful route.
The rental price also ranges from a few hundred thousand to millions of VND. If you want to experience the feeling of waking up in the vast ocean, you can choose to stay on a cruise ship for a relaxing getaway.
Tourists can book rooms through various channels: websites (such as Agoda, Booking, iVivu...) or directly contact hotels, or through travel service agents.
Must-See Destinations When Visiting Ha Long
Exploring the Unique Natural Beauty of Ha Long Bay
The beauty of Ha Long Bay is often compared to a massive watercolor painting. In this masterpiece, the mountains, the sea, and the sky blend together in a vivid and colorful harmony. As the sunset descends, the sunlight turns the sky into a fiery red, while thousands of islands of various shapes and sizes rise and fall on the surface of the water, creating a majestic and poetic landscape.
Appearing like magnificent castles from fairy tales, many limestone islands on the bay leave tourists in awe of their size, shape, and intricate details. Few realize that these islands have been meticulously sculpted by time, wind, rain, and sea waves. Each island is a unique masterpiece crafted by nature, carrying stories of the formation and development of Ha Long Bay.
To truly "live within the heritage," many choose to travel around the Bay by cruise. Most of these journeys pass by famous exploration spots such as the Chicken Island, the Incense Burner Island, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Titop Island...
Explore the unique natural beauty of Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is often likened to a giant watercolor painting. In this painting, mountains, the sea, and the sky blend together vibrantly and colorfully. As the sunset falls, the sunlight turns the sky red, while thousands of islands, large and small, with varied shapes and sizes, rise from the water, creating a majestic and poetic landscape.
Many limestone islands on the bay appear like grand castles from fairy tales, leaving visitors in awe of their size, shape, and intricacy. Few realize that these islands have been meticulously carved by the passage of time, wind, rain, and sea waves. Each island is a unique natural artwork, holding stories about the formation and development of Ha Long Bay.
For those who want to "live within the heritage," many choose to explore the bay by cruise ship. Most of these cruises pass by famous spots like Chicken Island, Incense Burner Island, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Titop Island.
You can choose to relax on a cruise ship, enjoying the peaceful and fresh atmosphere while sailing through the vast waters of the sheltered bay. On these "floating hotels," guests will be served high-quality meals and enjoy various entertainment activities.
For those who want to capture the entire Ha Long Bay within their view, you should try a helicopter or seaplane service. This experience promises to offer a fresh perspective on the beautiful natural landscape. With ticket prices ranging from 1,920,000 to 2,200,000 VND per person, tourists will have 10 minutes to admire the whole bay from above.
Visiting the traditional fishing village on the Bay Nestled beneath the rocky mountains, the simple houses floating on the water are an essential part of Ha Long Bay. For centuries, the lives of many fishermen in Cua Van fishing village have been closely connected to the sea.
Like other traditional fishing villages in Ha Long Bay, Cua Van village preserves many unique cultural traits of the local coastal people. Visiting the village, tourists will witness the simple, rustic life of the locals and learn about their unique customs and traditions. From there, you can immerse yourself in the life of fishermen and experience various interesting activities.
Visitors can stop by the Cua Van Floating Cultural Center, where artifacts and images of the history and culture of the fishing village are displayed. Additionally, they can participate in activities like watching water puppet performances, learning how to make fishing nets, or kayaking.
Conquering Bai Tho Mountain From the top of Bai Tho Mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay, with thousands of islands rising above the emerald green waters. This limestone mountain, standing tall in the heart of Ha Long City, is a must-visit destination for nature explorers.
At 200 meters above sea level, the journey to conquer Bai Tho Mountain is not only a physical challenge but also an opportunity to explore the wonders of nature. Depending on the viewpoint, sometimes the mountain resembles a crouching tiger, other times it takes the form of a lion hunting its prey, or even a dragon about to take flight.
Originally called Truyen Dang Mountain, meaning "signal light," it served as an important beacon at the northeastern border hundreds of years ago. This mountain guided ships in the bay. In 1468, when King Le Thanh Tong came to patrol the northeastern seas, he stopped at the foot of Truyen Dang Mountain to drink wine and compose poetry. Moved by the breathtaking natural scenery, he had a poem engraved on the cliff, known as the "Imperial Poem on the Heavenly Nam Cave."
Since then, Truyen Dang Mountain became known as Bai Tho Mountain, gradually becoming one of Quang Ninh's famous tourist destinations. Standing atop the mountain, visitors can feel the vastness of the heavens and earth, the grandeur, and the powerful vitality of nature. The best time to conquer Bai Tho Mountain is from October to April the following year. During this period, Ha Long's weather is relatively stable, with little rain, clear skies, and beautiful sunshine, making it ideal for hiking and sightseeing.
Visit Ha Long Night Market and the Ha Long Museum Located on Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long Night Market opens from 5 PM to 11 PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. Previously, this area was just a makeshift market with a few small stalls. In 2015, the market was officially opened and quickly became one of the most attractive tourist spots in the city.
At Ha Long Night Market, you can feel the bustling activity of commerce. With a total area of 5,000 square meters, the market has over 300 stalls selling various items, ranging from shoes, clothes, souvenirs, to food. Because the market can get quite crowded, it's recommended to wear comfortable clothing and be mindful of personal belongings.
Located along the coastal road on the east side of the city, the Quang Ninh Museum-Library is a cultural highlight of the Bay area, showcasing a miniature version of Ha Long. This massive architectural and cultural project was built with an investment of more than 900 billion VND.
As soon as it was inaugurated, the Quang Ninh Museum-Library became a popular destination, attracting many visitors. From the outside, the glass facade of the building is jet black, resembling a giant mirror reflecting the image of Ha Long's sea and sky. This unique design has captivated many tourists at first sight.
Visiting the Quang Ninh Museum-Library, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the traditions, lifestyle, history, and the natural and human development of Quang Ninh throughout its construction and growth. The museum is open for tours from 9:00 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Tuesday to Saturday every week.
In addition to the aforementioned attractions, you can visit Tuan Chau Park, Sun World Park, and more to try out thrilling games or head to the Funny Art 3D Museum to snap some pictures with the vibrant paintings.
MUST-TRY DISHES WHEN VISITING THE CITY OF HERITAGE
Ha Long is not only famous for the majestic natural landscapes of its bay, but it also draws visitors with its delicious seafood dishes. Many local specialties are made from fresh seafood such as crab, shrimp, clams, cuttlefish, squid, and fish.
Bánh cuốn chả mực (Steamed rice rolls with squid cakes)
Bánh cuốn chả mực is a signature dish of Ha Long. The squid cakes are already famous for their delicious taste, but when combined with the soft, fragrant rice rolls, the flavor of the dish is enhanced exponentially. The rice rolls are served with crispy fried squid cakes, dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a harmonious and irresistible taste.
Many cruise ships have included this famous bánh cuốn chả mực (steamed rice rolls with squid cakes) in their restaurant menus to serve both domestic and international tourists.
In Ha Long, visitors can enjoy bánh cuốn chả mực at any time of the day. Some well-known places serving this dish include Gốc Bàng, Bà Ngân, Bà Yến, and Bà Huệ. The price for a serving of bánh cuốn chả mực ranges from 30,000 to 55,000 VND.
Bún bề bề (Bề bề noodles)
Bề bề, also known as tôm tít (mantis shrimp), is a signature seafood of Ha Long's waters. The meat of bề bề is sweet, chewy, and aromatic. The dish is made from fresh mantis shrimp caught directly from the sea, and when prepared by local chefs, bún bề bề not only tastes great but is also highly nutritious.
To prepare a bowl of bún bề bề, chefs select fresh, firm mantis shrimp, which are carefully processed to retain the authentic flavor of the sea.
Bún bề bề (Mantis Shrimp Noodles)
The broth is the key element that makes this dish a success. It is simmered from pork bones, chicken bones, and various seafood, creating a rich yet delicate flavor. Combined with the sweet taste of bề bề (mantis shrimp), a slight spiciness from chili, and a subtle sourness from lime, all of these flavors blend together harmoniously, making it irresistible for diners.
Depending on the portion size and additional orders, a bowl of bún bề bề in Quảng Ninh typically costs between 30,000 to 50,000 VND.
Bún cù kỳ (Cù Kỳ Noodles)
For many tourists, enjoying bún cù kỳ by the shores of Ha Long Bay is an unforgettable experience. Sitting in a small seaside restaurant, admiring the majestic bay while savoring a steaming bowl of bún cù kỳ brings back many fond memories.
Cù kỳ (stone crab) is a specialty of Quảng Ninh’s waters, resembling a small crab with a hard shell. The bowl of bún cù kỳ is visually striking, with the bright red of the crab roe, the white of the noodles, and the green of fresh herbs, topped off with crispy fried onions. The scent of the noodles mixed with the fragrance of seafood stimulates the taste buds.
A serving of bún cù kỳ ranges from 40,000 to 55,000 VND, depending on the amount of crab meat ordered. Not many places in Ha Long serve this unique dish, but you can find it at Thành Lộc Restaurant in Đại Yên, Cái Dăm in Bãi Cháy, and other locations.
Sam biển (Sam Seafood)
Sam (a type of clam) is commonly found in the coastal areas of Quảng Ninh, especially in Quảng Yên. The allure of dishes made from sam lies in its unique, delicious taste, which differs from many other types of seafood. The meat of sam is sweet, tender, and rich, without any fishy taste.
In Ha Long, locals have skillfully transformed sam into many delightful dishes, such as tiết canh sam (sam blood soup), sam xào sả ớt (fried sam with lemongrass and chili), and sam xào miến (fried sam with noodles). The peak season for sam is from April to August, when they are at their freshest and most meaty.
You can try sam dishes at Sam Bà Tỵ in Cao Thắng alley, Sam Quảng Yên (on the road from Ha Long to Hanoi), or in the Hạ Long 1 Market in the afternoon.
Sá sùng (Sea Worms)
Sá sùng (sea worms) is a highly prized delicacy often referred to as “as expensive as gold.” The cost of high-quality dried sá sùng can reach up to 4-5 million VND per kilogram.
Its high price is due to its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Eastern medicine, where sá sùng is used to treat respiratory and joint ailments. It is known to have cooling properties and can help detoxify, enhance energy, and improve digestion.
The taste of sá sùng is so distinct that it can replace monosodium glutamate (MSG). When used in dishes like pho, bún, or cháo (rice porridge), the broth becomes particularly sweet and refreshing. Fresh sá sùng can also be stir-fried with garlic or dried and served with dipping sauce and fresh herbs, making for a delicious snack.
Sữa chua trân châu (Yogurt with Tapioca Pearls)
After savoring the savory dishes, tourists can enjoy a refreshing dessert: sữa chua trân châu (yogurt with tapioca pearls). A few years ago, this dessert became a popular snack among young people across the country. The yogurt is creamy and smooth, without any ice crystals, and when paired with chewy, cool tapioca pearls, it leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds.
A serving of sữa chua trân châu in Ha Long costs between 10,000 and 30,000 VND.
With its majestic natural landscape, unique attractions, diverse cuisine, a variety of transportation options, and a vibrant nightlife, Ha Long Bay promises to offer unforgettable moments for tourists when visiting this area.
Translated by Thuy Ha