Halong Bay is one of the most famous places in Vietnam and consists of a series of impressive limestone islands that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are around 2000 islands in the bay and many of them are with beautiful lush vegetation, making them ideal for walking. Many of the islands are also the home of caves. The best thing to do in Halong Bay is taking a cruise, where you can see these islands up close and take trips to caves and floating villages.

5 reasons to visit Halong Bay

1.   Take a fantastic cruise through the beautiful landscape.

2.   Do an adventurous activity such as kayaking or rock climbing.

3.   View the local life in the floating villages.

4.   Explore different islands with viewpoints and caves.

5.   Be romantic with a luxury cruise, spa and dining in a cave

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Practical information

Best time to visit

·         The best travel time for Halong Bay is spring (March, April) and fall (September, October). The weather is cool and you enjoy the best time of the year.

·         The summer time lasts from May to early September, when the bay is sunny and warm to swim under a clear blue sky. In some days there will be light rain and even an unexpected typhoon that could cancel your cruise.

·         The winter in Halong Bay lasts from November to March, leading to cold weather, especially in January and February; not ideal for swimming. The foggy days and the strong monsoon are also present during this period.

Where to stay in Halong Bay

On a cruise

As already mentioned, the best thing to do in Halong Bay is to stay on a cruise. It provides a unique experience and is also a nice change from a stay in a hotel or homestay during the rest of your holiday. You can stay on a cruise in both Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

Because there is so much to offer you can check our selection of the best cruises in Halong Bay.

Cat Ba Island

There are several islands that offer accommodation in Halong Bay, but Cat Ba is the first choice for most people. Here you have the most options in hotels, hostels and resorts. Another advantage of staying here is that the island is so big that you have plenty of activities. If you still want to take a boat trip, you can also arrange that from here. There are plenty of freshly caught seafood restaurants, pier access, scooter rentals and close to things to do such as Cat Ba National Park.

Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Island is where you will find the harbor from which most boats depart. In addition to the port, there is also a large landscaped area for tourism with hotels, resorts and beaches. However, this island lacks the local atmosphere. The island can be reached from the road.

Halong City

Ha Long City actually consists of two cities, Bai Chay and Hon Gai, which are connected by a bridge. The first is the tourist district of Ha Long City, while the second is more of a local scene.

Food & drinking

When you choose a cruise, all food is always included. Each multi-day boat also has its own restaurant. Drinks are usually not included.

When you stay in Halong City or Cat Ba you will mainly find seafood restaurants, but there are also plenty of other options.

How to get there

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How to get around

On Cat Ba island you can rent a scooter or car with a driver to go around and visit places of interest. Another popular way is to go cycling. Many accommodations on the island have a bicycle to borrow for free or else you can always rent one somewhere.

If you want to see more of the bay, you should always take a boat trip.

Itinerary 2 days in Halong Bay

A standard 2 day Halong Bay cruise itinerary looks like this:

More tips for traveling in Halong Bay