Ha Long Bay - Land Of The Descending Dragon

Recognized by UNESCO twice as a World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is among top-notch destinations in Vietnam for domestic and foreign tourists with a fantastic blend of pristine natural beauty and effervescent city vibe.

Halong Bay owns a complex of limestone islands located within the Gulf of Tonkin, in the city of Halong, Quang Ninh province, which is about 170km from Hanoi. Halong Bay is surrounded by Bai Tu Long Bay in the Northeast, Cat Ba Archipelago and Lan Ha Bay in the South and the East. To plan your trip wisely and wondrously, check out this guide to get all the must-have information for the upcoming journey to “the land of descending dragon".

Weather & Best Time To Visit

Similar to other Northern cities of Vietnam, Halong shares the tropical climate with high temperature from late June until September with occasional storms and typhoons, and strong monsoon during the winter. These unpleasant weather conditions with a high level of humidity and rainfall will limit the warmth from sunlight as well as visibility over the sea. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid traveling during these periods.

However, in December and January, Halong Bay is mostly packed with foreign tourists because it is Christmas and New Year holiday, and the local weather is not too sweaty as well. Other than swimming, visitors still can enjoy several activities and take a short journey to explore the magnificent caves within the bay.

The best season to visit Halong Bay is during the late spring (March and April) and early autumn (October). Halong Bay’s climate during the late spring features slightly dazzling sunshine and gentle breeze, with an average temperature of 25°C. This is also the season of flowers blossoms and spring festivals that provides not only a refreshing atmosphere of surrounding nature but also excitement of exploring local cultures. Meanwhile, the autumn precipitation is expected to be low and the water will calm down after stormy season, making it a peak season for cruise traveling.

Despite the extreme heat in summertime (May – July), domestic travellers enjoy the crystal blue sea and clear sky, which provide the most desirable view over the offshore scenery. You may find the beaches are fulfilled with people swimming, kayaking and soaking in other water activities. One reminder when staying in Halong during summer is keeping yourself away from outdoor activities at noon time, as the sun may cause unexpected heatstroke or sunburn

Major Attractions

Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in this heritage’s center. The cave gathers a tremendous system of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes, presenting the superlative creation of mother nature. The trail to Sung Sot Cave is through a forest canopy with rocky steps, making an ultimate excitement when climbing to the top. This place welcomes thousands of visitors every day as a must-visit on your Halong Bay bucket list.

Titov Island

Having the charming natural scenery with a marvelous mountain and dazzling beach, Titov Island is a famous stop that you should not miss when discovering Halong Bay. The island is embraced by a crescent-moon shaped beach on one side and a steep mountain slope on the other side. Visitors can go to the beach to enjoy the calm water and white pale sand or take the challenge of over 400 steps to the mountain deck to observe the 360° view around the island.

Cua Van Fishing Villages

For many years, Cua Van fishing village has been both a residence of local fishermen and a tourist’s favorite destination. Coming to Cua Van fishing village, you can not only enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of unique floating houses, but also learn more about the culture and daily life of fishermen and women through different activities such as rowing boats, drop fishing, or visiting fish farms in the middle of the sea.

Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Island is the largest and the only inhabited island among 1,969 islands in Halong Bay. This place is also a crowded entertainment complex with giant water parks and fantastic water performances of sea animals such as dolphins and sea lions. In addition, Tuan Chau Island features a stunning artificial beach to keep you with the sea vibe all the time. Only 2km from Halong City center, this is an ideal place to get more fun and excitement from lively beach activities