By Evelyn Nguyen, Aug 2, 2024
If you travel to Vietnam and Hanoi, Halong Bay is a must-see destination for you as it is beautiful. A comfortable 3½-hour drive from Hanoi's capital city, Halong Bay or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, which was twice recognized as a UNESCO natural heritage, is one of Vietnam’s most prized treasures as well as the pride of all Vietnamese.
Halong Bay Complex
Halong Bay, whose tranquil beauty encompasses an indigo sea and more than 3,000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops, is both mystical and magnificent making it an exceptional feat of nature that almost never fails to impress.
Magnificent View of Halong Bay
Halong Bay has something for every kind of traveler: shimmering beaches with sunlight and rain not lasting long for swimming opportunities; the permanent beauty of the island system multicolored with a variety of shapes and regarded as a water-color, a work of art for photo opportunities; the islands at different shapes and sizes provoking the imagination scattered all around the bay: Con Coc (Toad), Dinh Huong (Incense Burner), Ga Choi (Fighting Cocks), etc., Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes), Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace) for exploration lovers.
Halong Bay Caves
No trip to Halong Bay could be complete without a cruise to see 1,600 limestone karsts and various small islands and beaches from a different perspective, especially at sunrise or sunset, to enjoy the peace, fresh atmosphere, and relaxation throughout the trip, to paddle a kayak to get access to these hidden lagoons that big boats cannot reach, to explore magnificent formations in the depths of a cave or even take part in a Vietnamese cooking class to know how to cook Vietnamese dishes by yourself.
Besides, if you choose a cruise trip with Incredible Asia Journeys, you might have the chance to explore the floating villages which have the unique lifestyle and investigate pearl farming process. You can buy pearls as a present for your family members, lover, or friend at a very good price.
Moreover, on a cruise trip, you can have a one-of-a-kind experience that you might have never imagined. What can be more amazing than a steamy BBQ party by the caves in one of the most gorgeous natural complexes in the world?
Halong Bay includes Halong Bay Center, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay. So there are Halong Bay cruises which travel in Halong Center, Bai Tu Long Cruises which travel in Bai Tu Long - The East of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruises which travel in Lan Ha Bay - The South of Halong Bay.
Halong Bay is a complex of limestone islands so it’s rich in seafood. When you travel on a cruise in Halong Bay, surely you will be served fresh seafood such as shrimp, squid, mussels, scallops, etc.
The food service in Halong Bay is wonderful. Don’t worry that you will have nothing to eat. Most of the cruises in Halong Bay serve excellent food even if you are a vegetarian.
Cha Muc Halong Bay
Depending on your desire for a memorable holiday, the best time to visit Halong Bay may be different.
If you want to participate in swimming off the boat and relaxing on sundecks in the warm weather in Halong, these months from April to October are the best time to go.
To avoid the terrible tourist crowds, especially during Christmas and New Year break, the period from May to September -the low season for foreign travelers, is a rewarding time to visit Halong Bay.
At that time, you can also find better flight, cruise, and other service rates. However, your boat trip may be delayed or even canceled due to bad weather during the peak typhoon season in September, make sure to have plan B for your trip to Hanoi capital city.
Travelers visiting Halong Bay may choose the different options depending on the time they have and the style of the cruise they may want to join in. Most Westerners like staying on an Overnight Halong Bay Cruise while Asian and Vietnamese like to spend their time on Halong Bay day trip ( Halong Bay 1 day cruise) so they can join in some activity on the mainland in the evening in Halong Bay City. In the evening on the mainland in Halong City, they may go to the night market or go to Tuan Chau Island to see some shows like Crocodile Show, Dolphin Show, or Water Music Show.
Dolphin Show
As mentioned above, the Halong Bay Day Trip (Halong Bay 1 Day Tour) is suitable for most Asian people who like more activities in the evening so they can choose the Halong Bay Day trip and they can spend time on the mainland in the evening.
Halong Bay Day Trip bus will pick up travelers from Hanoi Old Quarter (If you do not stay in the Hanoi Old Quarter you may get a taxi to the Opera House then the bus will pick you up from there) at around 08.00 - 08.30 AM. It will take about 4-hour driving to Halong Bay including about 30 minutes for a break.
You will arrive at Tuan Chau Harbour around noon time where you will get on the cruise. Have a welcome drink then the cruise will starting cruising around the bay. Lunch will be served on the cruise before stopping for about 1 hour to visit one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay - Thien Cung Cave.
Then you will have an opportunity to join in the kayaking. If you do not wish to do kayaking you may take part in the sampan boat trip rowing by the local people. Get back to the cruise then continue to enjoy the time on the sundeck. You will have a chance to admire the most beautiful places in the world with thousands of islands merging from the sea. On the cruise trip, you will visit the Fighting Cocket Islet and many other Islets and limestone mountains with different shapes.
About 04.00 -04.30 PM you will arrive back at Tuan Chau Harbour then take the bus back to Hanoi. If you intend to stay in Halong City you may use a private car. If not, you may get a taxi to Halong City then the next day you may contact the tour guide to catch the bus to Hanoi. That can be arranged in advance when you book the tour with an agent or tour operator.
Some suggestions of cruises that go to Halong Bay:
Limestones in Halong Bay
Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night Itinerary is a good option for travelers who want to discover and experience Halong Bay with more activities. Halong Bay 2 day 1 night gives you the best option for enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Most Westerners like to stay in Halong Bay for an overnight on a cruise. Nowadays, there are a lot of options for cruises from budget to deluxe and luxury cruises. The types of cruises are various also so travelers can choose the best cruise for them from the wooden cruises to the metal cruises, from the private cruises to the bigger ones.
A Halong Bay 1 Night Cruise Package starts with the pick-up by a cruise bus from Hanoi Old Quarter (You may choose the private car if your budget is better and that is convenient if you do not stay near the Hanoi Old Quarter). The transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay lasts for about almost 4 hours including 30 minutes for a break on the halfway.
You will arrive at the harbor around noon time, hop on the cruise, and have welcome drinks before checking in your cabins. You will have lunch on the cruises with the different choices. You will start cruising around the bay to admire one of the World Natural Heritage Sites. Then you will take part in some activities in the afternoon such as visiting one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay - Sung Sot (Amazing Cave), kayaking around different islands, or in and out the Luon Cave (Tunnel Cave).
You will go back to the cruise and you may enjoy the most beautiful time on the sundeck to enjoy a glass of cocktail and see the sunset in Halong Bay.
Have dinner and there will be some activities in the evening like squid fishing or seeing a film about Halong Bay and Vietnam.
Get up in the morning and Tai Chi will be a good thing to do in the clean air and quiet places. That will be the best for your health. After your breakfast, the second day follows with a visit to Tiv Top Island where you can go swimming or hiking to the top for the best view of Halong Bay and take many nice photos. Go back to your cruise and check out the cabin before having lunch. Say goodbye to the cruise team and you will get back to the bus to return to Hanoi. The trip ends about 4.00- 5.00 PM in Hanoi.
Beach in Halong Bay
Halong Bay 3 Day 2 Night Cruise Itinerary is the best option for travelers who have more time for their Vietnam Trip. With this option, you will have more opportunities to discover the remote area of Halong Bay.
This option is suitable for people who like more activities like kayaking and swimming.
Day 1 and Day 3 are similar to Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night but on Day 2 of this itinerary, you will be transferred to a day boat to move to the remote area of Halong Bay where there are fewer tourists. The boat may stop in the different islands with the small sandy beaches where you can go swimming in quite private small island beaches. You also have more time for kayaking in the quiet area. That is a good option for the honeymoon couple.
The day boat will go back to the meeting point for meeting the big cruise then you will stay overnight on the big cruise and meet more travellers who do the tour for 2 days 1 night. The next-day itinerary of 3-day 2-night cruise is similar to Halong Bay 2 Day 1 Night Cruise Itinerary.
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