Best Halong Bay- Cat Ba Island Tours from Hanoi 2023/2024

Is it worth visiting Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful and unique tourist destinations on the planet with a collection of approximately 1,600 islands and islets that formed approximately 340 million years ago within the Bay of Tonkin. There are only a few places on the planet where mountains have weathered and eroded into limestone pillars like this. It is one of the world’s seven natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Halong Bay

Best time to visit Halong Bay

You can visit Halong at any time of the year. The average annual temperature is 23 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures occurring from June to August and the lowest occurring from December to February.

Halong is best visited between October and April when there is less rain than in the summer. Enjoy the dry atmosphere while viewing mysterious scenes of majestic bays shrouded in mist. In the summer, typhoons hit Halong, forcing cruise lines to change their itineraries. If you visit Halong Bay during this time, you will likely encounter a large number of domestic tourists. However, winter is the peak season for international tourism here.

Best places to visit in Halong

Gorgeous Bays

• Halong Bay: Halong Bay has long been a popular stop on any Vietnam tour. Travellers can discover the enchantment of this legendary bay’s amazing islands, islets, caves, and beaches. A cruise to the bay will make visitors feel as if they have entered a legendary and surreal world. The caves in this area are of various and unusual shapes and sizes, which pique your interest and pique your imagination.

Halong Bay

• Bai Tu Long Bay: Bai Tu Long Bay stretches from the northwest corner of Halong Bay to the Chinese border. Nature lovers can wander through pristine forests or lie on wild sand, while climbers and thrill seekers can take on the challenge of limestone mountains. Besides, those interested in experiencing authentic and local life can visit fishing villages and meet pearl oyster farmers. Furthermore, history and culture enthusiasts can explore ancient temples, communal houses, and the remains of the old port, which dates back 700 years.

Bai Tu Long Bay

• Lan Ha Bay: Lan Ha Bay is situated southeast of Halong Bay. This lovely bay is the tiniest in the entire zone. It is ideal for those looking to get away from the tourist traps of Halong Bay and the bustling suburb of Cat Ba. You can relax on the quiet little beaches, take a boat or kayak tour around these limestone islands, or dive into the sublime water to conquer the underwater world.

Pristine Islands

In the bay, thousands of islands, islets, and rocks of various sizes form a spectacular complex. Tourists are awestruck by the color combination created by the contrast between the green scenery and the grayish color of the rocks.

• Titov Island: The island, about 8 kilometers southeast of the pier, is named after Russian astronaut Titov, who visited Vietnam with President Ho Chi Minh in 1962. This island has a stunning view and a charming crescent-moon-shaped white sand beach.

Halong view from Titov mountains

• Soi Sim Island: Soi Sim, a small island located west of Halong Bay, is still a popular tourist destination due to its pristine beauty. There is a primeval forest on the island with many different kinds of plants, many of which are rare and endemic.
• Tuan Chau Island: A 2 km road connects Tuan Chau Island to the mainland. This island is well-known for its white sand beaches and luxurious accommodations with views of the bay.
  

  Kayaking-in-Tuan-Chau-Island

• Co To Island: This island is a peaceful and unspoiled getaway for beachgoers. Tourists can spend all day swimming here, not to mention other extraordinary attractions such as a lighthouse on Co To Island’s highest mountain, natural forests, and a fishing village.

Incredible Caves

For millions of years, the earth’s movements and erosion have created many caves here, which are regarded as natural masterpieces. Inside the caves, we can see various types of stalactites and stalagmites that are illuminated by a modern lighting system.

Each cave has a unique legend. Many caves in Halong Bay contain prehistoric remains from ancient civilizations that lived here millions of years ago. Some sites still have remnants of the Vietnamese people’s war.

Here are some caves we recommend you visit:

• Cave of Surprise (Hang Sung Sot): This is Halong Bay’s largest cave. The French named this cave “Grotte des Surprises” after being blown away by its beauty when they discovered it in 1901.
  

  Cave of Surprise (Hang Sung Sot)

• Heavenly Palace Cave (Dong Thien Cung): This newly discovered cave is famous for its splendor four carved stalagmites that hold the “roof of paradise”.
• Luon Cave: Luon Cave is unique in that it is a circular mountainous arc with a blue lake in the center.
• Maze Cave (Dong Me Cung): It has a complex structure with many compartments and a 100m corridor.

Tranquil Villages

• Cua Van Fishing Village:  This is home to over 170 households whose primary source of income is fishing. The Huffington Post, a well-known American online newspaper, named it the world’s most charming village in 2015.
  

  Cua Van Fishing Village

• Vung Vieng Fishing Village:  Tourists will be captivated by the beauty of the boats, fishing nets in front of local people’s houses, friendly fishermen, and cheerful children here.
• Cong Dam Fishing Village: This quiet village has many majestic karst mountains and colorful coral reefs. Kayaking, rowing, and fishing with the fishermen are thrilling experiences you cannot miss when visiting the village.

Best food in Halong

Cha Muc Ha Long(Halong grilled Chopped Squid)

Halong chopped squid is famously from the province of Quang Ninh and is regarded as one of Vietnam’s top regional specialties. It is made by hand grinding squid meat and then frying it over medium heat until it turns a beautiful golden brown.

Cha Muc Ha Long (Halong grilled Chopped Squid)

Prawn and Lobster

Both prawns and lobster can be prepared in a variety of ways, but steaming with lemongrass, beer, or vodka is probably the most popular in Halong Bay. This cooking method not only speeds up the cooking process but also eliminates the fishy odor, allowing you to enjoy the natural flavor more fully.

Steamed lobster

Fresh oyster

Daily, fresh oysters are caught, washed, and grilled over charcoal before being seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon, or grilled onions. They’re sometimes served raw with a slice of lemon, which is so delightful!

Grilled oyster

Sam (Horseshoe crab)

Horseshoe Crab, known as Sam in Vietnam, prefers shallow ocean water, so Halong Bay is an ideal habitat for them. It can be prepared in a variety of ways and will undoubtedly leave you with an unforgettable taste.

Sam (Horseshoe crab)

We hope the above information gives you a general idea of ​​the most beautiful bay of Vietnam. If you are excited about having Halong Bay tours, don’t hesitate to contact us here.