Ha Long – the most famous coastal city in Northern Vietnam – is home to breathtaking natural scenery and exciting entertainment activities waiting for you this summer.

Overview of Ha Long Tourism

Ha Long is located about 170 km from the center of Hanoi, with a travel time of approximately 3 hours. It is known as one of the most unique and attractive tourist paradises in Northern Vietnam.

With its convenient location, modern transportation system, and increasingly developed infrastructure, Ha Long attracts tens of millions of domestic and international visitors every year.

Ha Long is especially famous for Ha Long Bay, a world-renowned destination recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. The bay covers an area of 1,553 km² and features more than 1,900 magnificent limestone islands with unique and fascinating shapes.

Traveling to Ha Long without visiting Ha Long Bay would truly be a great omission. With its majestic natural beauty, the bay will surely leave unforgettable memories on your journey.

Best Time to Visit Ha Long

Ha Long is an attractive coastal city that welcomes visitors all year round, with each season offering different experiences. Before traveling, remember to check the weather forecast to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

April to June

This is one of the best times to visit Ha Long. The weather is warm, sunny, and pleasant, while the number of tourists is not yet too crowded. It is perfect for family vacations, relaxing trips, and sightseeing.

June to August

This is the peak summer tourist season in Ha Long. Many travelers come to the coastal city to escape the heat, swim, and enjoy beach activities. During this period, hotels and tourism services are often more expensive due to the large number of visitors.

October to Lunar New Year

Although the weather becomes colder, this period is especially popular with international tourists. The atmosphere is peaceful, quiet, and relaxing, making it ideal for travelers who enjoy calm and private experiences.

Transportation to Ha Long

Traveling by Air

For travelers from Central or Southern Vietnam, flying is the most convenient and time-saving option. Quang Ninh Province is home to Van Don International Airport, a modern international airport served by many domestic airlines.

From the airport, it takes less than one hour to reach the center of Ha Long City. Visitors can take a taxi directly from the airport or use hotel airport shuttle services.

Traveling by Limousine Bus

Travelers departing from Hanoi often choose limousine buses for comfort and convenience. These modern vehicles provide excellent service, comfortable seats, and modern facilities, making the journey much more relaxing.

Ticket prices usually range from 250,000 VND to 300,000 VND per person per trip.

Some popular limousine companies include:

• Ha Vy Limousine
• Ninh Quynh Limousine
• Tam Bao Anh Limousine
• Luxury Transport
• Minh Anh Limousine

Traveling by Motorbike

For backpackers and adventure lovers, traveling to Ha Long by motorbike is an exciting experience. The journey from Hanoi to Ha Long takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.

Suggested routes:

• Hanoi – Bac Ninh – National Highway 18 – Pha Lai – Chi Linh – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Ha Long
• Noi Bai Airport – Bac Ninh – National Highway 18A – Pha Lai – Sao Do – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Ha Long

Travelers should bring all necessary documents and safety equipment such as helmets, sunglasses, and protective clothing.

Within Ha Long City, visitors can travel by electric car, taxi, motorbike, bicycle, bus, or motorbike taxi depending on their preferences.

Beautiful Places You Must Visit in Ha Long

Ha Long Bay

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay attracts millions of visitors every year. Travelers can admire magnificent landscapes, mysterious caves, emerald waters, and thousands of limestone islands.

Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Island is one of the most famous islands in Ha Long. The island offers beautiful scenery, entertainment activities, music fountain performances, dinosaur parks, and outdoor amusement parks that are especially popular among young travelers.

Quang Ninh Museum

Information

• Address: Tran Quoc Nghien Street, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City
• Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
• Ticket price:
  • Adults: 30,000 VND
  • Students: 15,000 VND
  • Children: 10,000 VND

Located about 7 km from the city center, Quang Ninh Museum is a famous check-in destination with unique architectural design inspired by the coal mining industry of Quang Ninh.

Inside, visitors can explore exhibitions about nature, marine life, coal mining history, and valuable historical artifacts.

Cua Van Floating Fishing Village

With peaceful and poetic scenery, Cua Van Fishing Village is famous for its traditional fishing culture and tranquil atmosphere.

Visitors can buy fresh seafood directly from local fishermen or participate in activities such as kayaking, squid fishing, and traditional fishing experiences.

Bai Tho Mountain

Bai Tho Mountain is one of the most popular viewpoints in Ha Long. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Ha Long Bay and capture unforgettable photographs.

Bai Chay Beach

No trip to a coastal city is complete without swimming at the beach. Bai Chay Beach features clear blue water, soft white sand, and beautiful scenery ideal for relaxing and taking photos.

Sun World Ha Long Complex

This is one of the largest and most exciting entertainment complexes in Ha Long, covering more than 215 hectares.

The complex includes:

• Dragon Park
• Water Park
• Queen Cable Car

Visitors should spend at least one full day exploring this exciting amusement destination.

Exciting Activities in Ha Long

Seaplane Experience Over Ha Long Bay

This premium activity offers travelers a bird’s-eye view of the magnificent Ha Long Bay from above. Although expensive, it provides a truly unforgettable experience.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a fun group activity where visitors can paddle through caves, explore hidden lagoons, and admire the spectacular scenery of Ha Long Bay.

Overnight Cruise on Ha Long Bay

One of the most special experiences in Ha Long is spending the night on a luxury cruise in the middle of the bay.

Guests can enjoy peaceful moments surrounded by nature, watch beautiful sunrises over the sea, and fully relax away from the stress of daily life.

What to Eat in Ha Long

Banh Cuon Cha Muc

This famous local specialty combines soft rice rolls with crispy fried squid cakes. Served with garlic chili fish sauce, the dish offers an unforgettable flavor unique to Ha Long.

Oc Xao Tuong

This delicious dish is cooked with soy sauce, lemongrass, chili, kaffir lime leaves, and dried coconut, creating a rich and aromatic seafood flavor.

Cu Ky

Cu Ky is a special seafood found mainly in Ha Long waters. It resembles a crab but has sweeter meat and more affordable prices. Popular dishes include steamed Cu Ky, tamarind sauce Cu Ky, and stir-fried vermicelli with Cu Ky meat.

Grilled Oysters

Ha Long oysters are famous for being large, fresh, and juicy. They are commonly grilled with scallion oil or garlic butter.

Sam Bien

Sea horseshoe crab is another famous specialty in Ha Long. Popular dishes include grilled horseshoe crab, stir-fried horseshoe crab, steamed crab, and fried horseshoe crab eggs.

Hai San Bun

This seafood noodle soup contains shrimp, mantis shrimp, clams, squid cakes, and fresh vegetables in a naturally sweet seafood broth.

Important Tips for Traveling in Ha Long

• Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing during summer to avoid sunburn.
• Avoid bringing food and plastic waste onto sightseeing boats in Ha Long Bay.
• Help protect the environment by disposing of trash properly.
• Keep your sightseeing ticket carefully when visiting Ha Long Bay because it may be checked at multiple attractions.
• During peak tourist season, book hotels at least 1–3 weeks in advance to avoid sold-out accommodations.