Vietnam
Ha Long Bay
October to April (dry season, calmer seas)
$50-200 (cruise-dependent) USD
Vietnamese (English spoken in tourist areas)
UTC+7
About
Discover Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most iconic natural landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and recognised again in 2000 for its outstanding natural values. Spread across roughly 1,553 square kilometres of the Gulf of Tonkin in Quang Ninh Province, the bay contains an estimated 1,969 limestone islands and islets rising dramatically from calm, emerald-green waters. Over millennia, rain and sea erosion have sculpted the karst formations into arches, grottoes, and hollow caves, creating a landscape that feels otherworldly at every turn.
The name Ha Long translates loosely as 'where the dragon descends into the sea', a reference to the Vietnamese legend that a great dragon and her young descended here, their bodies forming the islands that protect the coast. Today, the bay draws around eight million visitors annually who come to experience its extraordinary scenery, explore its cave systems, and cruise overnight among the towers of rock.
The most popular way to experience Ha Long Bay is on a multi-day cruise aboard a traditional junk boat or a modern luxury vessel. Overnight cruises depart from Tuan Chau Marina or Cai Rong Harbour and typically include guided cave tours, kayaking through hidden lagoons, and stops at floating fishing villages. Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace) Cave, and the iconic Titop Island viewpoint are among the most visited spots. Shorter day cruises operate from Ha Long City for visitors with limited time.
Beyond the water, the gateway city of Ha Long (formerly known as Hon Gai) has developed a solid tourism infrastructure with international hotels, seafood restaurants, and the Sun World Ha Long Park entertainment complex. The adjacent Cat Ba Island offers national park trekking, rock climbing, and a more rugged experience for independent travellers.
The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is from October to April, when skies are clearer and temperatures are comfortable. May to September brings warmer weather but also the risk of typhoons and reduced visibility. Travel is possible year-round, though rough seas can occasionally suspend cruise operations between November and March. Ha Long City is served by Van Don International Airport, and high-speed trains and buses connect the region to Hanoi in approximately three hours.
Where to Stay
Best Hotels in Ha Long Bay
Luxury Hotels
FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort
A sprawling five-star beachfront resort set directly beside Ha Long Bay, combining a championship golf course with extensive spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and multiple dining options. Rooms face the bay or manicured fairways, and the resort is a short drive from the main cruise departure terminals.
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long
Occupying a prime position on its own island connected to the mainland by a scenic causeway, this five-star resort features panoramic sea views from every room, a full-service spa, water park facilities, and a private beach. It is one of Ha Long's most recognisable landmark properties.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Ha Long Bay
A modern five-star property in the Bai Chay area offering bay-view rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and direct access to the waterfront promenade. The hotel is well-placed for cruise departures and the Ha Long Night Market.
The Yacht Hotel by DC
A five-star design hotel inspired by luxury sailing yachts, featuring 301 elegantly appointed rooms, a rooftop pool, and unobstructed views over Ha Long Bay. The hotel's nautical-themed interiors and attentive service make it a standout choice for travellers who prefer a land-based base.
Muong Thanh Luxury Ha Long Centre II
A five-star high-rise hotel in central Ha Long offering well-appointed rooms with bay views, multiple restaurants, a spa, and conference facilities. The hotel is a convenient base for both business and leisure visitors, with cruise piers a short drive away.
Wyndham Legend Halong Hotel
A large four-and-a-half-star property in Bai Chay with 450 rooms spread across two towers, an outdoor pool, several restaurants, and a central location close to the Sun World entertainment complex. The hotel offers reliable international-brand standards at competitive rates.
Boutique Hotels
Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery
A distinctly atmospheric five-star retreat set at the foot of Yen Tu Mountain, renowned in Vietnamese Buddhism as a site of national pilgrimage. The MGallery property integrates traditional architecture with contemporary comforts, offering a serene alternative to the busier bay-facing hotels.
Paradise Suites Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel on Tuan Chau Island, serving as the gateway property for Paradise Vietnam's fleet of luxury cruises. The hotel features bay-view suites, a pool, and direct access to Tuan Chau Beach, making it ideal for guests combining a land stay with an overnight cruise.
Halong Boutique Hotel
A four-star boutique property offering stylish rooms with contemporary Vietnamese decor, a rooftop bar with bay views, and personalised service in a quieter part of Ha Long City. A solid choice for travellers wanting character over chain-brand predictability.
Mid-Range Hotels
Novotel Ha Long Bay Hotel
A well-regarded four-star property from the Accor group, located steps from Bai Chay Beach and within walking distance of the Sun World Ha Long Park. The hotel's outdoor pool and multiple dining venues make it a comfortable mid-to-upper range option for leisure travellers.
Muong Thanh Grand Ha Long Hotel
A four-star hotel in the heart of Ha Long City featuring comfortable rooms, a rooftop pool, restaurant, and proximity to the local night market. A dependable option for travellers who want central access to dining and shopping between cruise excursions.
Saigon Halong Hotel
A four-star hotel in the Bai Chay district with comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool overlooking the bay, and a well-regarded seafood restaurant. The hotel offers good value for its category and is conveniently close to the main pier and market areas.
Halong Plaza Hotel
A four-star hotel situated near Ha Long Bay Marina, featuring bright rooms with views of the water, a rooftop pool, and a central location close to restaurants and shopping. The hotel appeals to travellers looking for solid facilities at moderate prices.
Budget Options
Halios Halong Hotel
A three-star hotel in the Bai Chay area offering straightforward and affordable accommodation close to the waterfront. The hotel suits budget-conscious travellers who plan to spend most of their time on the water and need a simple, clean base on shore.
City Bay Palace Hotel
A three-star hotel in central Ha Long offering budget-friendly rooms, a restaurant, and a convenient location within walking distance of local cafes and transport links. Ideal for travellers on a tight budget who are using Ha Long City as a staging point for day cruises.
The Light Hotel Halong
A two-star budget hotel offering clean, no-frills rooms at some of the lowest prices in Ha Long City. The property is suitable for backpackers and budget travellers who want a safe and central place to sleep between excursions onto the bay.
Experiences
Things to Do in Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay Cruise and Caves Half-Day Tour
A half-day cruise from Ha Long City that takes you through the bay's signature limestone formations, into one of its famous cave systems, and around the floating villages by boat. Guides explain the geology and history of the UNESCO-listed landscape throughout the trip.
Ha Long Day Tour — Luxury Cruise with Buffet Lunch and Sunset Party
A full-day cruise aboard a luxury vessel that includes a buffet lunch of Vietnamese and seafood dishes, guided tours of iconic cave sites, and a sunset party on the sundeck as the boat cruises between the karst towers. Perfect for travellers who want a premium experience without staying overnight.
Surprise Cave and Titop Island Full-Day Cruise from Hanoi
A full-day excursion departing from Hanoi that includes transport to the bay, a boat cruise to Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave and Titop Island, swimming, kayaking, and lunch on board. This tour is popular with day-trippers and those who cannot stay overnight.
Full-Day Halong Bay, Surprise Cave and Titop Island Guided Tour
A guided full-day boat tour covering Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, with included kayaking through sea arches, swimming from a beach, and a seafood lunch. An affordable option that hits the main highlights in one day.
Trekking on Cat Ba Island and Beach Relaxation Tour
A full-day trip to Cat Ba Island from Ha Long combining a guided trek through Cat Ba National Park's jungle trails with free time on a secluded beach. The tour offers a rewarding alternative to bay cruising for visitors who enjoy walking in nature.
Ha Long Night Tour with Seafood Dinner and Night Market
An evening excursion that starts with a cruise along the illuminated Ha Long waterfront, followed by a fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant and a guided walk through the Ha Long Night Market. The tour gives visitors a taste of local life after dark.
Yen Tu Mountain and Pilgrimage Land Full-Day Tour
A full-day excursion from Ha Long to Yen Tu Mountain, the spiritual heartland of Vietnamese Buddhism and the site of the country's first-ever Buddhist kingdom established in the 13th century. The tour includes a cable car ride up the mountain and guided visits to pagodas and meditation halls.
Ha Long Bay Inland City Half-Day Tour
A guided half-day excursion through the less-visited inland areas near Ha Long City, covering local markets, traditional villages, and scenic countryside viewpoints rarely seen by tourists focused solely on the bay itself. A worthwhile complement to time spent on the water.
Kayaking Through Luon Cave and Dark and Bright Cave
A guided kayaking session through the low-roofed tunnels of Luon Cave and the contrasting passages of Dark and Bright Cave, paddling into hidden lagoons enclosed by sheer karst walls. This is one of the most memorable ways to experience the bay at close range and at your own pace.
Overnight Cruise on Ha Long Bay
A two-day, one-night cruise aboard a traditional-style junk or modern cruise vessel, featuring cave visits, kayaking, swimming, on-board cooking demonstrations, squid fishing after dark, and a sunrise viewing over the karst formations before heading back to port.
Rock Climbing on Cat Ba Island
Guided rock climbing on the limestone sea-cliffs of Cat Ba Island, suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Routes vary in difficulty and are set on karst walls above the sea, offering spectacular views of the bay between pitches.
Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave Tour
A guided visit to Sung Sot Cave on Bo Hon Island, the largest cave in Ha Long Bay and one of the most visited sites in Vietnam. Two vast chambers filled with stalactite and stalagmite formations can be reached via a short uphill walk from the boat dock.
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