Halong Bay: Wonders Nature’s Artwork

Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most famous natural heritage sites, making it into the list of the world’s top 7 natural wonders. Therefore, when mentioning Halong Bay tourism, we cannot overlook this stunning coastal bay and the countless exciting experiences it offers. Let’s follow Hanoi Local Tour to explore more in detail.

Halong Bay: UNESCO-recognized Natural Wonder

Halong Bay is situated in the northeastern part of Vietnam, where the western part of the Gulf of Tonkin converges with the southwestern edge bordering Cat Ba Island. The beauty of this coastal bay resembles a colorful painting, with each line and contour harmoniously blending into wonder.

Recognized as one of the world’s 10 most beautiful bays, Halong Bay is a harmonious combination of vast skies and the vastness of its waters. It is adorned with thousands of limestone islands, housing magnificent caves of various shapes, creating unique and unparalleled landscapes. These interconnected islands, each with its distinct shapes, deliberately crafted by nature, captivate the hearts of visitors.

The extraordinary and rare beauty of Halong Bay is derived from three elements: rock, water, and sky. Here, travelers have the opportunity to witness scenes found nowhere else on Earth. Moreover, in recent years, Quang Ninh province has been heavily investing in the development of Halong Bay’s tourism potential. Therefore, this destination is undoubtedly an extremely attractive place, promising unforgettable experiences for visitors.

Best Time to Visit Halong Bay

The weather in Halong Bay is distinctly divided into two seasons: summer – from May to October, and winter – from November to the end of April. The average annual temperature is 25ºC, which is quite ideal for outdoor activities.

With diverse vegetation and favorable climate, you can visit Halong Bay at any time of the year. However, based on travel experience in Halong Bay, it is advisable to avoid the rainy season in July and August to ensure the fullest enjoyment of your trip.

How to get to Halong Bay

According to the travel experience of Hanoi Local Tour in Halong Bay, there are several convenient transportation options to explore every corner of the city of Halong (prices as of 2024):

Motorbike: You can easily rent a motorbike to explore the city of Halong at a reasonable price. However, it’s advisable to inquire about the rental price beforehand and remember the return time to avoid any misunderstandings.

Bus: Halong has a bus system connecting various famous tourist destinations. The average bus ticket price in Halong city is around 7,000 – 10,000 VND per ride.

Electric car: Electric cars are a popular means of transportation, especially in the city center and tourist spots in Halong. According to travel experience in Halong Bay, the ticket price for electric cars is approximately 500,000 – 900,000 VND for one trip. You can use this service from 7 am to 10 pm daily.

Taxi: Taxis are convenient and suitable for most tourists. The tourist destinations in Halong Bay are not far from each other, so the transportation cost by taxi is reasonable. Taxi fares in Halong Bay range from 5,000 – 11,000 VND per kilometer, depending on the taxi company and the distance traveled.

The Beauty of Halong Bay

Archipelago in Halong Bay

The archipelago in Halong Bay comprises two main types of islands: limestone islands and schist islands. These islands are concentrated in two main areas: the southeast area of Bai Tu Long Bay and the southwest area of Halong Bay. According to current statistics, out of the 1,969 islands in Halong Bay, approximately 1,921 are limestone islands, most of which are around 200 meters high. Geological studies suggest that the formation of Halong Bay’s geological structure occurred approximately 250 to 280 million years ago, resulting from the tectonic movements of continental plates, which led to the submergence of continental regions under the sea. Over millions of years, the process of karst erosion and weathering has transformed Halong Bay into a unique and unparalleled landscape with distinct geographical features.

The area with a concentration of limestone islands and beautiful caves is in the core area of Halong Bay, as well as parts of Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. This region has become the cradle for the development of eco-tourism, creating an irresistible allure.

Despite the large number of islands in Halong Bay, no two islands are alike. From a distance, travelers will see these rocky islands stacked upon each other, forming unique landscapes. Some islands rise vertically, while others lie horizontally, intertwining and stretching for tens of kilometers like a solid fortress wall. Each island has its own unique shape, presenting new and characteristic colors that are distinct to Halong Bay. Based on these shapes and human imagination, the islands here have been given names that are familiar and down-to-earth, such as Human Head Island, Roof Drum Island, Dragon Island, Scholar Island, and Chopsticks Island.

Moreover, some islands are named after folk tales, such as Poem Mountain, Virgin Cave, Tuan Chau Island, or unique features on the islands like Vung Ngoc Island, Golden Ant Island, Monkey Island, and many more.

Most Famous Islands in Halong Bay

Next, Hanoi Local Tour will introduce some of the most prominent islands in Halong Bay so that travelers can easily choose their exploration destinations when visiting here.

• Fighting Cock Island (Hon Ga Choi): This is one of the most famous islands in Halong Bay. Fighting Cock Island is also known as Trong Mai Island and is located near Dinh Huong Islet, about 5km from Bai Chay port. The island consists of two parts that resemble a pair of fighting cocks, with each island being over 10m high. The base of the island is narrowed, giving it a precarious appearance amidst the vast sea.
• Ngoc Vung Island: Ngoc Vung Island is located about 34km from the tourist harbor, belonging to Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches, with the Vạn Xuân mountain reaching up to 182m and containing ancient archaeological sites covering an area of ​​45,000m2. Ngoc Vung Island covers a total area of ​​12 km2 and is part of the ancient trading port system of Van Don, built since the 11th century. On the eastern side of the island is a long stretch of white sandy beach extending for kilometers.
• Ti Top Island: Ti Top Island, formerly known as Cat Nang Island during the French colonial era, is located in the Halong Bay area about 14km east of Bai Chay. The island is named after the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who visited Ho Chi Minh and Halong Bay in 1962. Ti Top Island is characterized by its steep slopes, flat white sandy beach with a crescent moon-shaped cove covering the foot of the island. Tourists, especially those on boat tours, often stop at the island to admire the panoramic view of Halong Bay, swim, kayak, and participate in various outdoor activities.

• Tuan Chau Island: Tuan Chau Island has an area of ​​about 3 km2 and is a nearshore island located in the southwest of Halong Bay. The island has sparse village settlements and residents. This area has also been explored by archaeologists, uncovering numerous relics belonging to the Halong culture. Since 2001, a major road has been built by Quang Ninh province connecting the island to the mainland, creating an entertainment and service complex with full hotel, restaurant, and beach facilities. From then until now, Tuan Chau Island has experienced rapid development and transformation, becoming the hub of Halong tourism, with significant investment and scale.

Things to do in Halong Bay

Cruise around Halong Bay

Halong Bay boasts magnificent and picturesque natural beauty, with thousands of islands of various sizes and unique caves. The bay is also recognized by UNESCO as a world natural wonder and attracts a large number of tourists every year.

When cruising around Halong Bay, you can admire stunning natural landscapes and visit beautiful destinations such as the Surprising Cave, Frog Islet, Dragon Eye Island, Ti Top Island, Ngoc Vung Island, and many more.

Swim at Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chay Beach is an artificial beach located adjacent to Halong Bay. It is the most beautiful beach in the city, with clear blue water and smooth white sand stretching nearly 1,000 meters. According to the travel experience in Halong Bay, you can enjoy swimming, check-in opportunities, and experience various water activities to your heart’s content.

Visit Tuan Chau Island

Located on Tuan Chau Island, Tuan Chau Tourist Area attracts tourists with its beautifully decorated and romantic space. When visiting Tuan Chau, you should attend the water music performance and enjoy outdoor activities or visit the newly opened dinosaur park.

Kayak at Titop Island and Luon Cave

Gently kayaking on the cool and refreshing water, hidden behind the Luon Cave, will leave you feeling incredibly peaceful. After exploring Luon Cave, you can take a leisurely stroll to Ti Top Island and enjoy the sunset with friends on the cruise ship.

Check-in at Quang Ninh Museum

The Quang Ninh Museum is considered a miniature model of Quang Ninh province, where the peaceful culture and life of the people of Halong are preserved. Young travelers visiting Quang Ninh often capture memorable photos at this tourist spot.

Explore the Culture at Cua Van floating fishing village

With the travel experience of many tourists in Halong, if you haven’t visited Cua Van fishing village, you haven’t fully experienced the beauty of this place. Cua Van is a long-standing fishing village on the bay with distinctive lifestyles of fishermen in the coastal area.

Here, you will experience interesting activities such as fishing, squid fishing, rowing boats, etc., and enjoy delicious fresh seafood right on the boat.

Top 6 Must-try Dishes in Halong Bay

Grilled Squid Cake – Famous Halong Specialty

The first delicious dish to answer the question of what to eat in Halong Bay is grilled squid cake – a must-try specialty when visiting Halong. The golden-brown, fragrant, and crispy grilled fish cakes will surely captivate you.

Halong Blood Cockle Cake

Halong blood cockle cake is a delicious and nutritious specialty loved by many tourists and often bought as gifts. The fried blood cockle cake has an attractive golden color, an enticing aroma, and a crispy skin that is not dry. Blood cockle vermicelli is also a must-try dish on your Halong Bay trip.

Steamed King Crab

King crab is a large sea crab with two claws, abundant meat, and a reasonable price. Although not as rich as the taste of lobster, it is much better than crab meat, and the price is also very affordable. According to Halong travel experience, besides steamed king crab, you can also try king crab with tamarind sauce, grilled over charcoal, or stir-fried with glass noodles.

Razor Clams

Razor clams are a precious seafood, priced from 4 to 5 million VND per kilogram. When visiting Quang Ninh, don’t forget to enjoy the specialties made from razor clams such as crispy fried razor clams, stir-fried razor clams with tamarind sauce, etc.

Sea Cucumber

Sea cucumber is also a specialty in Halong that you cannot miss. Famous dishes that you should try include steamed sea cucumber, grilled sea cucumber cartilage, sea cucumber blood pudding, stir-fried sweet and sour sea cucumber legs, crispy battered sea cucumber eggs, fried sea cucumber eggs with betel leaves, etc.

Stir-Fried Snails with Fermented Soybean Paste

People in Halong stir-fry snails with a blend of soy sauce, grated coconut, and lime leaves. The intense aroma of the sauce combined with the crispy and rich flavor of the stir-fried snails will surely earn praise from tourists.

Here is some information about notable destinations in Halong Bay that Hanoi Local Tour would like to share with travelers. Wishing you a fascinating exploration of Halong Bay, filled with joy and unforgettable experiences!