Halong Bay

Halong Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular travel destination in the Province of Qu-Ninh, Vietnam. The name means “descending dragon”, although this meaning is not recorded prior to 19th century. Administratively, the bay belongs to the city of Hạ Long, Cẩm Phả city, and is a part of Vân Đồn district. Thousands of limestone karsts and islands are present in different shapes and sizes in the bay, covered with lush vegetation.

Ha Long Bay is the center of a larger region that includes the northeast of Bai Tu Long Bay and the southwest of Cát Bà Island. The geological, geographical, geomorphological, environmental, and cultural characteristics of these larger zones are similar.

This is popular destination for day trip from Hanoi or for some aquatic activities, such as cruise, kayaking, stand up paddle board, exploration of  caves, visiting floating villages or swimming.

Day trips from Hanoi offer you a decent taste of the bay, but if you can, try to spend at least one night in the area. Keep in mind that there is already a three-hour time difference between Hanoi and Halong.

Best time to visit

The months of March and April, as well as September and October, are ideal for visiting Halong Bay. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the weather is perfect.
From the beginning of May to the beginning of September, the bay is sunny and warm enough for swimming under a clear blue sky. There is a chance that your cruise will be cancelled due to mild rain or perhaps a typhoon in the coming days.

From November until March, Halong Bay experiences chilly temperatures, especially in the months of January and February, making swimming conditions less than ideal. This is also the time of year when dense fog and a powerful monsoon are common.

Top Recommendations

A cruise is the top activity in Halong Bay. There are literally hundreds of boats to choose from, ranging from little to massive, expensive to dirt cheap, and lasting for only a day to many weeks. Therefore, no matter what sort of traveler you are, you may find a Halong cruise that meets your needs.

You won’t have to worry about seasickness or rough waters in the bay. There are plenty of things to do on the boat that will keep you from becoming bored. On the bigger islands, you can go kayaking, swimming (during the right season), exploring caverns, visiting floating towns, and going on walks. Stay on the cruise and take in the stunning scenery of Vietnam‘s uninhabited islands and karst formations if you’d rather unwind after a busy Vietnam holiday.