This article is about the World Heritage Site”The Halong Bay” located in Vietnam. This article contains the places to visit, things to do, accommodation, and tips for reaching and staying at The Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is very famous among tourists. It is located in Cam Pha City, which is in the Van Don District. It comes under Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
The name Ha Long refers to ‘Descending Dragon’. Tourists visit It to experience wonderful limestone mountains that rise from seawater. These limestone mountains were formed billions of years ago. It is also known as the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay covers an area of around 1533 km².
It is a group of 1960-2000 islands and islets that are made up of karst limestone. These seem like towers spread throughout the bay. It is located in the center with Bai Tu Long Bay in the northeast and Cat Ba Island in the southwest. All these three spots have similar geographical, climate, and cultural characteristics.
The mainland of the bay covers 334 km² having 775 islets. It has huge varieties of endemic species of both flora and fauna. Talking about numbers it has 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.
Halong Bay also serves as a home for many tribes, which adds cultural value to It. Many of the famous personalities from various fields such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Prime ministers, presidents of many countries, and Mark Zuckerburg had visited here.
There are lots of things you can do on this trip such as:
Sunbathing:
It is one of the most relaxing things you can do in the sunlight. You can enjoy sunbathing at Halong Bay at specific months as Halong Bay is a four-season place.
The most interesting thing about sunbathing is that it is free of cost.
Kayaking:
If you are at Halong Bay for adventures, kayaking is a must-do thing for you. Kayaking can be an adventurous and active way to experience the nearby area.
Agricultural tour:
You and your loved ones can go on an agricultural trip and can learn how the traditional farmers grow their endemic plants. Halong Bay is a hub of 16, endemic flora species.
Trekking:
You can go on a trek to see and experience Halong Bay from a closer perspective. There are various places where you can go for trekking. The only thing you need to keep in mind during the trek is the availability of resources with you.
The most preferred trekking sites are near Cat Ba Island (it is also called a fishing village), Hon Gai District, and Tuan Chu Island.
Tai Chi:
It is an activity that locals do as their morning exercise. You can also perform Tai Chi on board if you are staying on a cruise. Tai Chi will give you more energy and a fresh start to enjoy the whole day at Halong Bay.
Cooking classes:
This is another activity you can participate in if you are staying overnight on a cruise. Cooking classes start in the evening, just before dinner, after you board the cruise, and after you visit all the attractions the whole day.
Spa:
You can hop into a spa to get a body massage after a tiring adventurous day. Spas are available on only on luxury cruises.
You can enjoy a massage at the end of the day to enhance your relaxation and minimize your tiredness. The best time to get a spa is when you are cruising over the calm waves of Halong Bay.
Outdoor movie theatre:
If you are a cine-lover, this will be the best thing for you to do in the evening. You can enjoy classic movies under the stars in the open sky at the outdoor movie theatre on your cruise.
Squad fishing:
If you are good at fishing, you must try squad fishing once. You can do squad fishing once at night time at the cruise. All the excited and interested cruise passengers gather together and try their luck in fishing. This activity creates a lot of laughter and fun among passengers.
How to reach The Halong Bay:
By land:
This is the most preferred way to reach Halong Bay. It is also cost-efficient but it consumes a lot of time.
You can drive your own personal car or you can book a shuttle or can get it booked by an agent. If you have a huge budget for this trip you can also book a limousine to reach Halong Bay.
It will cost you between US$ 15- US$ 200 based on your chosen facility.
By water:
This method to reach Halong Bay is mostly used by Chinese tourists who come from mainland China. It is less preferred by other tourists from all over the world.
By air:
This is the 2nd most preferred way to reach Halong Bay. You can book a seat in a seaplane or hire a personal plane or helicopter which is mostly done by VVIP’s.
If you go to Halong Bay by air you can get a mesmerizing view from the sky.
Where to stay?
Hotels:
As Halong Bay is the most visited tourist spot in Vietnam as well as in the whole of Southeast Asia it has no shortage of hotels. You can find hotels ranging from 3 stars to 5 stars.
You can get options to stay closer to the sea or far away from the sea as hotels are located everywhere. Booking a hotel does not include your site visit fee.
Cruise:
It is a way better option for a stay than hotels. You can save time for traveling to attractions and coming back to the hotel rooms. Booking a cruise also includes charges of your food, attraction visit fees, and many more so you can enjoy a hassle-free trip to Halong Bay.
Cruise also gives you a chance to have a closer look at the natural beauty of Halong Bay while moving through the islands and islets. You can book a cruise from a range of 3 stars to 5 stars based on your requirements and budget.