Ha Long Bay is a treasure trove of natural wonders and cultural experiences that captivate every traveler. Explore 17 breathtaking Ha Long Bay attractions, from hidden caves to pristine beaches, and uncover the magic of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ha Long Bay in North Vietnam is what you see above. It’s stunning. Hey, are you aware of your sagged jaw?
Not only you but I too have been stumbling upon the word Ha Long Bay quite frequently of late.
I decided today is the right time to learn all about Ha Long Bay, its major attractions, organized cruise tours, water sports, hotels to stay and what local special foods to try.
Overview of Ha Long Bay:
At the outset, please note that Ha Long Bay and its surrounding islands are so unique in geography that UNESCO awarded them the status of World Heritage Site.
If you read the post till the end and see the numerous images and videos, you would wonder how else the world can acknowledge it as one of the 10 most beautiful coastal sights in the world.
It is surely the envy of its neighbors China, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
It is a part of Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.
Location of Ha Long Bay
The bay is situated on North Vietnam’s coast. It is facing the Gulf of Tonkin.
How to reach Ha Long Bay?
Your destination is the beautiful Ha Long City.
It is at a distance of 165 km east of Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam.
You can fly up to Ha Noi, and then go by either public bus or private taxi. Ha Long City is officially called Hong Gai.
The Ho Chi Minh city (formerly Saigon) sits at the southern end of Vietnam. The distance between the two is a big 1800 km!
17 Breathtaking Ha Long Bay Attractions to Explore Today!
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Ha Long Bay Boat Tours
Numerous Karst mountains that are known as Cat Ba Islands.
You can go near these limestone rocks and mountains only by boat.
The total number of karst blocks that are called islets is 1969. You cannot visualize the density of the 1900+ islets unless you see an aerial view. I have given it below.
It took around 40 million years for the formation of the karst islets.
They are all seen as extra growth of seabed, protruding into jagged rocks that are covered in dense and endemic flora.
There are caves in several of the islands and islets, and they are called grottos.
The bay is flooded with floating villages where the fishermen live.
Do you fancy staying in one of the floating huts? Yes, the fishermen offer homestay and food is also provided.
They take you on board their boats and take you on a tour of Ha Long Bay, showing the Cat Ba Islands at a close distance.
You can even wet your feet on any of the islet that you like, and spend some time on the deserted beach.
The entire tour will take your breath away. The sight is so dramatic and will that there is no match to the beauty of Ha Long Bay.
Their boats are big in which you can stay overnight.
If you join any one of their cruise tours, they even pick you up from your hotel in Ha Noi and drop you back.
The boat carries a kayak that you can use to enter the caves. Anchor near the grotto, and hit the water for a refreshing swim.
Choose a cruise that lasts for two nights and a day. The cabins in the semi-ship are ultra-luxurious and attached with a small sit-out.
There are longer tours lasting as many as 5 nights, and 4 days. If you are hooked on the spectacular beauty of Ha Long Bay, and the Vietnamese cuisine is accepted by your stomach, you can really enjoy the 5-night boat tours.
This is pure bliss with a great view of the sea. I would definitely buy a ticket for the longest cruise, and relax like a lazy cat.
Ha Long Bay can be fully seen and appreciated only when you go near the karst islands in a boat.
Here are some of the highly recommended cruise tours. Look up at them on the web, to call and enquire about their cruise packages.
- Ambassador Cruise
This is the most sought-after cruise line because their vessels are spacious. One of their ships has as many as 46 rooms!
- Capella Cruise
People who love to spend most of their time on open decks in a ship, choose Capella Cruise because,, their ship has 6 decks.
In addition, the ambiance of the cabins are highly acclaimed.
- Orchid Classic Cruise
You have to shell out a bit more for the premium luxuries, and amenities. A few more options below that I think you get your money’s worth.
- Hermes Cruise
- Nostalgic Cruise
- Grand Pioneers I Cruise
- Paradise Elegance Cruise
Without annoying you, I emphasize that Ha Long Bay is all about roaming the Gulf of Tokin, which is an arm of the South China Sea.
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Fish Farm
I mentioned above the floating houses of the local fishing people. They also maintain fish farms. Have you ever visited a fish farm and that too in a bay where there is fish always? You can visit a fish farm and see how they grow fish!
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Pearl Farm
Pearl culture is one of the coastal businesses. Visit Pearl Farms in Ha Long Bay. You can buy pure pearls directly from the pearl farms.
Remember the following names of the Pearl cultivation centers.
- Minh Chau Pearl Farm
- Tung Sau Pearl Farm
This is a big pearl production farm from where you can buy black pearls and pink pearls also apart from sparkling white pearls.
This pearl farm also has a museum of pearl cultivation. You can pick up some bits of knowledge that you can use in parties. I am sure, you will be surrounded by people with appreciation on their faces.
See the meticulous process of extracting a pearl from the oyster.
- Vung Vieng Paearl Village
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Caves you can enter in Ha Long Bay.
- Sung Sot Cave
This is the largest of all sea grottos and is the most popular of all the caves. The natural rock formations on the walls are true natural wonders.
Oh, man! What a natural creation! You should not miss seeing this cave. It will be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The artificial lights throw a dreamy and at the same an eerie picture.
You are given a small kayak in which you can enter the caves.
- Dau Go Cave
- Heaven Cave-the intricate stalactites are jaw0dropping. Trying to make out myriad shapes from the crystals is intriguing
- Me Kung Cave
This is one of the must-enter caves but despite this fact found in various places on the web, it lacks visitors.
I think it is probably due to the difficulty in climbing up steep rock steps to reach the cave after a boat docks near the cave.
- Luon Cave
You have to see this cave when you go to Bo Hon Island.
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Visiting Cat Ba Island
The beaches, the karst mountains with dense forests, and the flora are all captivating. You enter the real tropical island in Vietnam.
Many people live on the island. See a photo of the Cat Ba Island.
Ferries are abundant, and they are seen plying frequently between Ha Long and Cat Ba. The voyage takes 45 minutes.
There is an impressive Cannon Fort on the island.
The sea passage is enjoyable with wonderful views. You can see numerous vessels on the water carrying cheerful passengers.
The majority of the tourists to Ha Long Bay, stay in one of the 150+ hotels on this island. That many number of hotels to stay and eat, speak of the popularity of the island.
Hiking the mountains, riding mountain bikes, visiting the nearby Monkey Island, and kayaking in the Gulf of Tonkin are some of the adventures you can enjoy.
Taking an individual kayak out into the Lan Ha Bay gives adventurous feeling of achievement.
As there are 367 islands in Cat Ba archipelago, the Government has carved out a national park and naming it the Cat Ba National Park.
The entire Cat Ba chain of islands is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The flora and fauna are very rich and diverse on the island and in order to preserve them, the national park was created.
If you can’t dive, do a bit of snorkeling around the Cat Ba Islands. The marine life will keep you in the water for more than 30 minutes.
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Chua Cai Bau
It is more popularly known as Cai Bau Pagoda, one of the stunning temples in Ha Long Bay city. It’s a Zen Monastery. It has one more alias that goes by True Lam Giac Tam. The temple is built abutting the Long Beach. It receives devotees of Zen Buddhism, throughout the year.
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Lan Ha Bay
OMG! The scene of Lan Ha Bay is something out of the world! I am sure there is no match for the beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
As you can see, this bay is also dotted with numerous islets. There are caves on these islands in Lan Ha Bay.
If you enter any one of the island’s jungle, you will instantly feel the humidity, feel the mosquitoes swarming all over you, and hear strange sounds of the forest.
Cat Ba archipelago is hosted by the Lan Ha Bay, which you will cross while going to Cat Ba Island.
Ask the cruise captain to take you to the following beautiful caves:
- Dark and Bright Cave
- TrungTrang Cave
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Dragon Park
Dragon Park is the best theme park in Ha Long Bay. It must have been added in the recent past only to improve tourism.
Two roller coasters satisfy the children’s crowd.
The amusement park is located inside a resort called Sun World Ha Long complex.
A unique attraction is a cable car that they call it here as Aerial Tramway. Queen Cable Car is its other name.
You get to see all of Ha Long Bay from the cable tram and also, the amusement park giant wheel, and the roller coaster.
The park is well-equipped with picnic spots, gardens, restaurants, and even a mini shopping mall.
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Dao Co To Islands
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It’s an archipelago of 17 islands, and islets. Only three are inhabited.
These cute islands were once ruled by the Chinese, and then the French. I think by 1940, they withdrew, leaving the island complex to the native Vietnamese.
There are small mountains on the island. People trek up to enjoy a spectacular sea view.
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Beaches to visit
Ha Long Bay is quite large and hence, there are several beaches which are all worthy of visiting.
However, few beaches are more inviting due to the availability of transportation, and restaurants.
Here are some of the beaches.
- Bai Chay Beach
- Bai Tam Beach
- Ti Top Beach-It has facilities to kayak, and snorkel
- Cat Ba Island Beach
- Tuan Chao Beach-it’s a pretty long beach that was dumped with white sand brought from somewhere
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Small islands that are worthy of visiting
Those hundreds of karst mountains-don’t you feel like touching them, or hiking on them? Have you wondered if you can set afoot on some of the islands?
It is possible when you join a special two nights cruise tour in the Ha Long Bay.
During this scenic trip, you can embark on the following islands:
- Ti Top Island
- Soi Sim Island
- Tuan Chau Island
- Monkey Island
You can have the beaches all to yourself here. Don’t come out of the sea at least for an hour on any one of the islands. This deserted beach is located in Tuan Chau Island. I remember reading, it is a man-made beach. Awesome-eh?
If only you can afford, you are advised to stay in one of the resorts on the island. Guest are offered the thrilling jetskiing adventure.
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Bai Chay Bridge
Remember to walk on the bridge when the lights come on. The sight is surreal.
The cable-held bridge connects two commercial neighborhoods namely Bai Chay, and Hon Gai.
The Bai Chay Bridge is 2.5 km long roughly.
Here is more information that compels you not to skip this beautiful landmark.
Bai Chay Bridge is built over an important water body called, “Cua Luc Strait”. It divides the Ha Long Bay and the Cua Luc Bay.
Straits are better viewed aerially to see the actual divider and all the three water bodies.
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Hon Trong Mai
These twin rock blocks seem to be floating on the water. However, it is not so, I suppose.
They are the peeks of two adjacent mountains that remain under the water and chose to show only their summits.
Very interesting sight.
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Helicopter Tour
There is a helicopter tour to show you the breathtaking Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Islands, and Lan Ha Bay. Don’t miss this sky tour at any cost.
The real natural beauty of Ha Long Bay, and the nearly 2000 karst mountains can be admired only from the sky.
Do you realize your fist is on your mouth in sheer appreciation?
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Seaplane ride
Seaplane ride is an unforgettable experience. You get this opportunity only in a very few places in the world.
Seaplane is an amphibian aircraft that departs from Ha Noi airport. It drops you off at Tuan Chau Island.
Hey, don’t fret yet. You will be dropped back from where you boarded the seaplane.
Man, can be there a more enjoyable way to see the Halong Bay and all its islands and islets?
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Poem Mountain
What a lovely name for a mountain whose original name is Bai Tho Mountain!
Those who cannot afford the aerial and semi-aerial way of seeing the Ha Long Bay, come here, and trek up to the top for a splendid, panoramic view of the Gulf of Tonkin.
It’s an awesome viewing platform and hence, it stays in the Ha Long Bay sightseeing itinerary.
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Scuba Diving and Sea Floor Walking
I think the Ha Long Bay’s colorful fishes, and coral reefs invite scuba divers from as far as Japan.
Ha Long Bay ls quite long and the divers can keep exploring the underwater world for as long as they like.
The seabed is only at 100 feet! At this short depth, Stingrays, and Sharks thrive.
Did you notice the submerged mountain? In addition, did you see a woman walking on the seabed with a helmet on. This adventure is also called ‘Helmet Walking’.
Scuba Diving is possible in:
- Monkey Island
- Cat Ba Island
- Cong Do Island
Scuba Divers are more than happy when they stumble onto submarine limestone rock blocks.
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Ha Long Market
After seeing the coastal attractions, and cruising in the day, go to the central market.
As you near the market, the aroma emanating from the hundred-plus street food stalls will suck you in like a tornado.
Apart from the cooked seafood, myriad kinds of noodles that are topped by similar number of exotic sauces, you can try several Vietnamese fruits that include:
- Longan
- April Plum
- Rose Apple
They look like pleasantly aromatic cashew fruits.
- Star Apple
The seed portion in the core of the fruit looks like a star.
There is also a night market that is known for tasting authentic Vietnamese foods. I am sure; there will be hundred types of noodles and soups.
One can also buy several souvenirs that act as proof that you had been to Vietnam. I mean, you buy such local crafts.
Ha Long Bay should be certainly on everybody’s travel bucket list.
