A traveller’s guide to visiting Halong Bay, Vietnam
As the word suggests, Halong is a Bay region in the northeast of Vietnam that encompasses more than 1500 islets in the region; some of which are karst outcrops and others covered with dense jungles and caves. It can be accessed from Hanoi or Haiphong by land or air. The picturesque bay is dotted by unique karst outcrops, and islands weathered over centuries to unique shapes.
Halong Bay – the “Bay of the Descending Dragons”
The beauty of the Halong Bay is considered a French discovery. The name has is its origins in reports by French army men who thought they saw “dragons” in the Bay. So “Ha Long” essentially means the “Bay of the Descending Dragons”, although tourists are more likely to say “Halong”.
Halong Bay is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Vietnam, and happens to be the most beautiful. Spectacular limestone karst seascapes, a scatter of islands and diverse topography blessed with natural wonders; make the Halong Bay area a magical experience for tourists.
When to go
Although any time is a good time to visit Halong Bay, the months of December to January are most popular with tourists who wish to avoid the hot humid summers of Vietnam. However, it may be too cold for getting into the waters. The warmer months on the other hand, are great for swimming and other activities. So consider October to April a generally good time to visit Halong Bay.
What to see
Cannon Fort – This is the place to go more for the spectacular sweeping views of the Cat Ba Archipelago, than the historical relics.
Cat Ba Island – Once you have whetted your appetite with the views from Canon Fort, you will want to visit Cat Ba, the largest island in the archipelago. This is a great place to visit for adventure travellers, as the protected park offers opportunities for climbing, hiking, kayaking and seeing the golden headed Langurs, an endangered primate. If you are looking for a swim, the Cat Co beaches are a great place to cool off.
Lan Ha Bay – Southeast of Cat Ba is the Lan Ha Bay that boasts more than 300 karst islands and outcrops and some fine isolated beaches. It is best visited by boats and kayaks.
Bo Hon Island – It is a beautiful island with an elaborate cave system featuring some must-visit caves. Towering peaks blend with caves and sheer cliffs, to create a vivid imagery. The diverse ecosystem hosts unique plant life and wild animals. The Hang Trong Cave is a must-see for a unique experience. Wide and open-ended on both sides, the wind blows through the cave and stalactite formations to produce a quaint sound of faint drumbeats. Hang Sung Sot Cave is a popular haunt with the tourists for the legends associated with the fertility symbol of pink rock. It is reached from your boat by about a hundred steps and the Bay views are worth the climb. Take advantage of low tides to row over or kayak under the low-height Luon Cave for a wonderful experience. Sung Sot or Surprise Cave is a long and wide cave, ideal for those who feel claustrophobic in smaller spaces.Close to the Bai Chay Beach is the Virgin Grotto or the Trinh Nu Grotto, dominated by the stone statue of a girl looking towards the sea. Right opposite is the Trong (or Male) Grotto with the stone statue of a boy facing the Trinh Nu Grotto. Like most other caves, this site also resonates with legends from the past, that add to the mystery of these stunning caves.
Dau Go Island – The Dau Go Cave is the chief attraction of the island, for its soaring heights and diverse flora, stone pillars and stalactite formations.There is another popular cave, the Hang Thien Cung Cave, known for its unique cauliflower-type limestone growths.
What to do
Halong Bay is not merely about natural beauty and photography, but also for land and sea-based activities.
Cruising is the tourist-must-do at Halong Bay for getting up-close with amazing limestone formations, cave systems, and floating villages. You can take a day cruise if you are short on time and see the highlights of Halong Bay. Best options are night cruises that take you out further in the sea to remote islands. Cruises include seafood cuisine, stopovers for swimming and kayaking in lagoons, beach barbeques, and on-board entertainment.
A helicopter tour may perhaps be the most expensive part of your Vietnam travel, with $650 for a round-trip over Halong Bay, but the bird’s eye view of the magnificent seascape and limestone formations are certainly worth the money spent.
Enjoy the wild beauty if you are a land-based person. Make the most of the tropical flora and fauna endemic to these islands. Let go of the shutterbug in you, and take with you memories of a beautiful location at the other end of the world.
Swimming and relaxing on the many secluded beaches of Halong Bay Islands, is a great way to unwind in beautiful settings, with turquoise blue clear water and bleached white coral sands that you find nowhere else.
Kayaking, diving or snorkelling are popular activities, with local tour operators guiding you along the way and renting out equipment.
Enjoy seafood cuisine dominated by local crab, squid, clams, and prawns, Food distinctive to Halong Bay are Sat Sung sandworm, Sam lobsters, Ha oysters, and the popular three-spined Stickleback.
Go shopping for local handicrafts, souvenirs and fruits. Halong Night Market and the many floating markets are some places to check out.
