This travel guide is for people who want to visit Ha Long Bay, one of the seven natural wonders in the world. Ha Long Bay is located in Quang Ninh province which is in the north of Vietnam. It is nearly 200km from Hanoi. So it takes you about 4 hours by car. You can also travel there in a coach or even in a helicopter on Saturday. The best season to visit Ha Long is in summer when the weather is warm and sunny. Ha Long Bay has many beautiful caves and islands; therefore, you must take a boat trip to enjoy the view here. You certainly must take pictures to remember the trip better, too. If you are an active person, you must do the water sports here like swimming, sailing, and windsurfing. One more thing, you must try the seafood here because it is incredibly fresh and delicious. With this travel guide, I hope that you will have a wonderful time here in the number one natural wonder of Vietnam.
I'm writing from the most beautiful and incredible place in the world that I have ever seen during my 15-year career as a travel writer in more than 70 countries. I'm writing to you from Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.
There is a saying that if you have not visited Ha Long Bay you have not yet been to Vietnam. I say that if you have not visited Ha Long Bay you have not yet seen the most beautiful place in the world.
180 km from Hanoi City, towards the northeast, it takes around 4 hours by bus due to the speed limit, and then you will arrive to Ha Long City and the wonderful Ha Long Bay.
1969 limestone islands of various shapes, sizes, and in different green and amazing colors rise above the sea level in an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers that creates this World Heritage site. Ha Long Bay still retains its historical and culture values.
The guide told me that Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000, and also that Ha Long Bay is in second place in the worldwide competition of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders. I told him that before all, God has given the Vietnamese people this wonder for their kindness.
Ha Long Bay is as attractive and beautiful throughout the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Traveling on small sailboats among hundreds of limestone islands, one may visit the amazing Surprise Cave, the floating fishing village, and see how the locals live are top of the list of things to do here. On Titop Island, one may swim and relax on the beach or enjoy a kayaking program to the nearby Luon Cave and much more.
And what about the important question of where to sleep? Syrena Cruises and other cruises are offering wonderful programs. A luxury cruise from the harbor and across Ha Long Bay, has 34 luxury cabins and suites each with a balcony, as well as restaurants and a meeting room on the 3rd deck. Travelers may experience Asian or Western cuisine, precisely sea food, and also have a session with a massage therapist, unwind in the sauna, take a sunbath and relax on the expansive deck, experience squid fishing, movie night, and a cooking demonstration.
Other attractions during your stay in Ha Long, beside exploring Ha Long Bay itself, if to visit the Royal Park in Halong City, Water Music, a circus performance by dolphins, sea lions, crocodiles, and much more.
The experience of visiting Ha Long Bay is unforgettable, where you will see something that will stay in your mind and eyes for years. You will enjoy meeting Vietnamese people and tasting their delicious food, you will have fresh air all day and night, especially if you wake up early in the morning and watch the sun rise on the deck coming slowly through the islands.
Be sure not to miss visiting Ha Long Bay in your lifetime. Just try to watch images and videos of this stunning and marvelous place and imagine being there experiencing the beauty and kindness of Vietnamese people. You will be booking your trip in no time.
Ha Long Bay is the center of a larger zone including Bai Tu Long to the northeast and Cat Ba islands to the southwest. It was recognized as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1994 and listed in the New 7 Wonders in 2012.
While Hanoi's old name is Thang Long (Ascending Dragon), Halong literally means Descending Dragon. And like many other Vietnamese towns’ names, Ha Long Bay has the origin from a legend. Once upon a time, Vietnam was invaded shortly after they started building the country. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to help Vietnamese people. The dragons emitted from their mouths many pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls stopping the invaders’ boats.
These boats crashed into the islands and broke into pieces. Vietnamese won the battle thanks to the tricky battle field. After the victory, the dragons decided to stay on the bay and the pearls still remained. The location that Mother Dragon landed is then called Ha Long Bay and where Child ones descended is Bai Tu Long Bay.
The annual temperature of Ha Long bay is 22.8 Celcius degree, suitable for tourists to travel all year round. The best time to visit is from March to August, because during this time, tourists have the chance to shoot exotic photos with blue sky and sea as smooth as mill pond. It’s cloudy and rainy in autumn and chilly in winter. Especially, the period between August and October is the typhoon season.
Visitors to Ha Long shouldn’t miss Bai Chay beach (Scorched Beach – close to the coast of Ha Long Bay), whose sand is dark. People often mistakenly think that this is due to the climate or lack of wind in this area. However, the weather here is quite pleasant and the temperature is around 22oC. From Bai Chay, you can hire a boat and go out to the bay, where you will find some of Southeast Asian most fascinating limestone islands. Taking a cruise trip around Halong is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Bay (More about cruising in Halong Bay).
The limestone formations are both bizarre and awesome. They are Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave) - 4km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City, Dau Go (Wooden Stakes Cave) – 8km south of Bai Chay, Bo Nau (Pelican Cave) , Trinh Nu (Virgin Cave) – 15km south of Bai Chay, in the island range of Bo Hon, in the system comprised Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), Dong Tien Lake and Luon Grotto, etc.
Besides Ha Long Bay, there are Mong Cai – the border city with China (visas must have been sourced in your home country), Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong City and Tuan Chau Island – a newly developed tourist resort. One can spend between 3 and 5 days visiting and experiencing the beauty of the Bay.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a great city with the high modem buildings and many ancient museums. When you come to the city, you can visit Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, City Theatre, Saigon River... And you can taste the street food which is very famous in the world.
