Halong Bay Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, Halong Bay is an absolutely breathtaking masterpiece crafted by nature. With thousands of islands in all shapes and sizes and a multitude of fascinating caves, this bay forms a vivid and mystical world that will leave any visitor in awe. Join us at Asia Legend Travel and let’s explore the Halong Bay travel guide below and embark on a wonderful trip!

Halong Bay Travel Guide: Overview of Halong Bay

Halong Bay, which means “descending dragon” in Vietnamese, earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. On November 11, 2011, the New7Wonders Foundation named it one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This solidifies the place of Halong Bay in global history as a natural wonder of incredible beauty and makes it a source of pride for the Vietnamese people.

Located on the Gulf of Tonkin in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, Halong Bay covers approximately 150,000 hectares. Aside from its vast area, the most impressive thing about the bay is its stunning scenery, with over 1,600 islands and islets in various shapes and sizes rising out of the emerald waters. To truly savor the beauty of the bay, opt for a full-day cruise that allows you to bask in the glorious scenery, from the breathtaking sight of the silver sea shimmering under moonlight to the radiant emerald waters glistening in the daylight.

Nowadays, Halong Bay is a prime destination for travel enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor activities. Adventurers can choose from a range of water sports, such as row boat tours and sea kayak expeditions, during which they will be guided past unique islands with interesting names like Stone Dog and Teapot islets. Other popular activities, including scuba diving, rock climbing, and hiking, continue to be top favorites, especially in the mountainous terrain of Cat Ba National Park.

Halong Bay Travel Guide: Must-visit destinations

Below is a list of top destinations recommended to enjoy a fantastic trip at Halong Bay. However, this list curated by Halong Bay Travel Guide only scratches the surface, as there are many more fascinating tourist spots in Halong Bay just waiting for you to explore!

Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave

Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most beautiful one in Halong Bay. This destination promises to offer visitors an exhilarating cave exploration experience, complete with a range of emotions from surprise to awe, as they hike and trek through the cave’s rough and rugged terrain.

Dau Go (Driftwood) Cave

Dau Go Cave is an absolute must-visit cave in Ha Long Bay for nature lovers. It is an architectural wonderland with an impressive collection of ancient towering stone columns and pillars that take on a variety of shapes and sizes, exuding serene and pristine beauty.

Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain

Bai Tho Mountain, also known as Poem Mountain, is one of the best destinations in Halong Bay. With a height of 650 feet (200 meters), the mountain is easy to climb and reaching the top should take no longer than 30 minutes. Upon reaching the summit, climbers will be rewarded with a breathtakingly splendid view of the bay and Halong City.

Ti Top Island

Ti Top Island is blessed with enchanting scenery and pleasant weather. The beach coast has a moon-like shape with smooth white sand, surrounded by stunning nature. The crystal-clear blue water makes pebbles visible on the sandy bottom all year round. These geographical features make Ti Top Island a must-visit stopover in Halong Bay.

Cua Van Fishing Village

Cua Van Floating Fishing Village is a true gem of Halong Bay, where visitors can fully experience the beauty of the turquoise waters and magnificent limestone formations. In addition, tourists can try their hand at fishing and indulge in the freshest and most delicious seafood, including but not limited to squid, crab, snail, prawn, and shrimp.

Halong Bay Travel Guide: Must-Try Local Food

When you visit Halong Bay, there are some must-try local foods that you definitely shouldn’t miss out on. Check out some of them with Halong Bay Travel Guide right away! First and foremost, seafood is at the top of the list. Here, you can indulge in a variety of fresh and delicious seafood specialties that are unique to this area. . Some must-try dishes include Grilled Chopped Squid (Cha Muc), Horseshoe Crab (Sam), Peanut Worm (Sa Sung), Acorn Barnacle Porridge (Chao Ha), and Austriella Corrugata (Ngan).

Another must-try local delicacy is the traditional dish called Nodding Cake (Banh Gat Gu). Made from simple ingredients like rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, this delightful cake offers a one-of-a-kind and delicious taste. Its name comes from the way it is made – after steaming, the cake becomes soft and pliable, so when gently touched or shaken, it will “nod” or wiggle back and forth. This playful and fun characteristic adds to the charm of this tasty treat.

And on top of that, what you really shouldn’t miss is Ha Long Pearl Yogurt. With a variety of options available, the original flavor stands out as the perfect combination of creamy yogurt and the delightful texture of pearl tapioca. This fusion is truly delicious, so be sure to taste Ha Long Pearl Yogurt and enjoy a refreshing and delightful experience at least once during your visit to the coastal city.

These are just a few examples of the mouthwatering local dishes you should try while exploring Halong Bay. Don’t forget to visit the local restaurants and street food stalls to fully immerse yourself in the diverse flavors of the region.

Halong Bay Travel Guide: Best Things to Do

Below is a list of awesome activities that will make your trip to Halong Bay absolutely fantastic. Let’s take a look in the Halong Bay Travel Guide below!

Discover the local culture during your visit to Quang Ninh Museum

Quang Ninh Museum is an iconic landmark of Halong Bay, lying on the most beautiful coastal road of Ha Long. This museum includes three modern buildings presenting a local lifestyle, regional history, and natural environment. It will indeed be a good place for those who are culture vultures.

Relax on the beaches and try out some seafood

Boasting of turquoise waters, sugar-white sands, and fresh seafood, Halong Bay is a popular relaxing destination in Vietnam. Ban Chan Beach and Quan Lan Beach are the greatest beaches that are off-the-beaten-track.

Explore some untamed caves

Besides the picturesque coastline, numberless caves provide marvelous opportunities for cave exploration in Halong Bay, including Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, known as the largest; Luon Cave, known as the most beautiful; Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace); Trinh Nu (Virgin) Cave; Dau Go (Driftwood) Cave; and so on.

Take part in rock climbing

Due to the specific terrain features of rugged cliffs, Halong Bay has become one of the most worth-visiting destinations to thrillseekers. Visitors can go kayaking to come to those challenging but fascinating climbing spots.

Take a cruise around the Bay

One of the top-rated activities is going on a Ha Long Bay boat trip. There is a wide range of choices for visitors, from small boats to large ones, from low-priced boats to luxurious cruises, and from Halong Bay 1 day tour to multi-day one. Taking a cruise in the moonlight is suggested to see an entirely different scenery with the silver color of the sea compared to the scene in the daylight.

Go kayaking

Halong Bay kayaking will provide a great chance to get a closer view of enormous rugged limestone mountains, lush forests carpeted on unique rocks, and endless stretches of sea and sky. Those all make this nature experience one of the most relaxing activities in Halong Bay.

Halong Bay Travel Guide: Best Time to Visit

The fall, from October to December, is the best time to visit Halong Bay. Thanks to the pleasant weather and low chance of rain, vacationers can enjoy a relaxing holiday in Halong Bay. However, they may face double the crowd compared to other times of the year.

Halong Bay Travel Guide: How Long to Spend

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination in Vietnam, is best experienced with a minimum two-day stay. This amount of time allows abundant opportunities to explore the stunning landscapes, discover hidden caves, and fully embrace the vibrant local culture.

---

Hopefully, the information in the Halong Bay Travel Guide above is helpful for you. Halong Bay is a breathtaking paradise for nature enthusiasts. With its magnificent limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, vibrant greenery, and a plethora of exciting activities, it promises to provide you with an unforgettable trip. Every single moment spent in Halong Bay is a delightful feast for the senses. So why wait? Begin your journey now and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Halong Bay!

---

Tours related to Halong Bay