Is Halong Bay in Vietnam Really Worth Visiting?
Vinh Ha Long is a destination worth visiting all year round, with a variety of seasonal culinary options. This place has also developed many high-quality tourist services such as flying by seaplane and snorkeling or scuba diving at reasonable prices. One point to note is that Ha Long Bay is often crowded with tourists, especially during the peak domestic tourism season from June to August, so booking services in advance and preparing for price increases is necessary.
If you're wondering whether Ha Long Bay is worth it, the answer is yes. With its unique landscape of emerald rock formations and impressive biodiversity, Ha Long Bay is worth experiencing at least once in your life.
Here are 12 reasons why you should visit Ha Long Bay.
Famous UNESCO World Heritage Site
The journey to Ha Long Bay will bring you to discover magically beautiful landscapes on earth. With thousands of limestone islands rising above the emerald green water, Ha Long Bay makes a strong impression on tourists. This place is also famous for its unique geological and cultural values, along with ancient fishing villages that existed thousands of years ago.
Primitive nature
Ha Long Bay is a destination not to be missed for those who love nature and want to explore the pristine beauty of nature. Here, you have the opportunity to explore wild beaches, visit ancient floating villages, explore pristine islands and explore beautiful natural caves.
What is special is that most of the islands in Ha Long Bay still retain their wild beauty, unaffected by human presence. Another notable spot is Cat Ba Island, where you can experience a lush and relaxing tropical forest, with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. If you love trekking, a trip through Cat Ba National Park will give you the opportunity to observe many rare animals such as the Cat Ba langur or golden-headed langur, and participate in a fresh and peaceful natural space.
Unique geological formation
Ha Long Bay, with its spectacular cave systems and towering limestone mountains, marks a unique destination for tourists wanting to explore its geological diversity. Natural geological phenomena have formed over millions of years here, creating a variety of different shapes and sizes of stalactites and stalagmites. Sung Sot Cave, with its amazing beauty, is considered the largest and most impressive cave in this bay. In addition, destinations such as Thien Duong Cave, Luon Cave, Dark and Bright Cave and Thien Canh Son Cave are also places not to be missed. Here, visitors have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the majestic landscape by kayaking or floating on a bamboo boat to see the natural beauty like a vivid picture.
Diverse seafood and local cuisine
Consider yourself an experienced traveler, you cannot miss the opportunity to experience the diversity of local cuisine with fresh seafood and typical dishes from each region of the land of dragons. down. The most delicious specialties can be enjoyed at Ha Long night market and Bau Chay roadside restaurants. During your journey to explore Ha Long Bay, you should not miss delicious dishes such as nodding cake, austriella corrugata, Tien Yen hill chicken, chopped grilled squid, Sipunculus nudus, horseshoe crab, mantis shrimp noodles and many other dishes.
Many activities are suitable for different types of travelers
Ha Long is proud to be a major tourist center in northern Vietnam, offering many activities suitable for diverse types of tourists. Exploring Ha Long is not simply a cruise, but also includes many interesting entertainment options for the whole family and group of friends. Ha Long amusement park is a great destination, and you can participate in interesting games.
If you are a lover of challenges and adventure, Ha Long offers great opportunities to trek through the jungle and conquer exciting mountains. In addition, Ha Long is also an important place in the field of religion, attracting tourists to pilgrimage. You can make a pilgrimage to Yen Tu mountain or visit Ba Vang pagoda and participate in festivals and religious activities here.
Easy accessibility
Ha Long Bay has a variety of means of transportation, making it easy to get here. You have many different options, from buses, D-car limousines, private taxis to seaplanes and trains. If you depart from Hanoi, you can choose to take the bus, rent a private car or use tourist car services on high-quality highways. Total travel time is about 3 - 3.5 hours. However, the fastest and most convenient way from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is by seaplane flight, which takes only 45 minutes from Noi Bai airport to Tuan Chau Marina, with prices ranging from US$175 to US$385. per passenger. If you're not pressed for time and want to enjoy a leisurely trip to see the delta, the train is the cheapest and least used option.
Various types of accommodation
When you visit Ha Long Bay, you will have a variety of accommodation options. One of the most popular options is to experience a night on a cruise ship. However, there are many different types of accommodation, from hotels to resorts, with a variety of styles and prices.
One of the popular options is to stay at Vinpearl Ha Long Resort & Spa on Reu Island, where you can experience simplicity with room rates starting from 110 USD/room/night. If you want to enjoy tranquility and close contact with nature, the resorts on Cat Ba island with rustic style are the ideal choice. Besides, in the city center, you can also find many modern hotels with reasonable prices, helping you save a big budget.
Good price
Ha Long Bay is a suitable tourist destination for most tourists, whether domestic or foreign, with reasonable prices. Overnight travel packages usually cost around 100 USD per person if you choose the average itinerary, lasting 2 days and 1 night. If you want to experience a premium cruise, prices can range from 160 USD to 300 USD per guest. These travel packages often include meals, on-board activities, and entrance tickets to attractions. In addition, if you want to stay in the city center, accommodation prices and services are also very reasonable.
Furthermore, traveling from neighboring areas to Ha Long Bay is also inexpensive. Bus or tourist bus ticket prices to Ha Long Bay usually range from 5 to 10 USD per passenger each way, and there are premium options such as D-car Limousine flights or seaplanes at higher prices.
Development services
In addition to common activities such as yachting, kayaking, swimming, or mountain climbing, visitors to Ha Long Bay also have the opportunity to participate in many other interesting activities and stimulating experiences. For example, you can take a 25-minute seaplane tour to enjoy panoramic views of Ha Long Bay and see the bay's magical architecture from a height. In addition, you can also book your own snorkeling or scuba diving tour to explore the beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine ecosystem here.
Great overnight cruise experience
Whether you decide to stay on board for one night or even two nights, there will be plenty of exciting activities waiting for you to explore. In the late afternoon, you'll join a beautiful sunset party, enjoy live music performances, and relax in comfortable surroundings. Afterwards, you can choose to enjoy a luxurious dinner or join an outdoor BBQ session. The next night, you can participate in board games, try your hand at squid fishing at night sea, or immerse yourself in the karaoke space, depending on your personal preferences.
If you want to have a deep sleep during the night on board, you will be immersed in the quiet and calm at the anchorage area. This was truly a memorable experience. For those who enjoy the morning glow, there are plenty of activities to choose from, from tai chi to relaxing yoga classes, and you'll even have the chance to start your day with beautiful photos at at dawn.
It can be visited almost all year round
Ha Long Bay can be visited all year round thanks to its tropical climate with four distinct seasons. In fact, you can visit Ha Long Bay at any time of the year, except for the storm season from June to August. The most exciting tourist season here takes place from October to April, when temperatures are warm and precipitation is low. With many hours of sunshine and good visibility, it's the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities here.
Many nightlife entertainment activities
Ha Long Bay is famous for its safety and the city's friendliness in organizing nightlife activities. Although there is no excitement like big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, nightlife in Ha Long Bay still has its own unique characteristics. Instead of spending the night on the boat, you can spend a night participating in many different interesting activities such as walking around the night market, enjoying the Water Music show on Tuan Chau Island and participating in street food tours.
Some frequently asked questions
Is Ha Long Bay safe?
Ha Long Bay is a safe and friendly tourist destination. Tourists do not need to worry too much about major crime-related issues. However, it is always advisable to maintain caution and avoid staying out too late to ensure personal safety.
Do you want to immerse yourself in a hot spring?
Ha Long Bay offers an amazing hot spring experience. In particular, Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, a hot spring village designed in Japanese style, is a can't-miss destination for those who want to relax and enjoy hot springs.
Which is better, Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay?
Both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay have unique characteristics and offer different experiences. Choosing between these two bays depends entirely on your personal preferences. Ha Long Bay is more suitable if you want to participate in vibrant entertainment activities, enjoy developed services, and participate in vibrant nightlife. Meanwhile, Lan Ha Bay is suitable for those who want to explore more pristine attractions and experience a peaceful environment. There are also many high-end cruises you can take on Lan Ha Bay, including unique boat itineraries.
Is Ha Long Bay a budget-friendly destination?
Ha Long Bay has flexibility in price, so you can find a variety of accommodation options and services to suit your budget. For travelers on a budget, there are mid-range cruises and activities like swimming and kayaking. Conversely, if you have a bigger budget, you can consider luxury seaplane trips over Ha Long Bay or even go on premium overnight cruises