Table of Contents
Visit the popular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam. Halong Bay is only a few hours by car from Hanoi, Vietnam. Book a private boat and sail the bay for a wonderful 3 day 2 night cruise. This 1Adventure Traveler took this quick side trip which was a wonderful beginning to my trip into Vietnam. One of those unforgettable moments you should never pass up on Halong Bay.
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay
While sailing we viewed thousands of limestone karsts and islands that are of various sizes and shapes. These karsts have been forming for over 20 million years and provide a wonderful backdrop to this tranquil boat cruise. Halong Bay has a tropical climate with a hot and moist summer, and cold and dry winter. I happened to be there in the beginning of rainy season but that didn’t dampen my trip.
Intersting Cave in the Halong Bay, Vietnam.
There are lots of cruises offered on the bay. Our choice was a private boat from the Bhaya Cruise Line that offers many cruises to choose from. There are multiply boats and packages available for everyone’s needs.
Our Private Boat! The Bhaya Legend 2
Private Boat Bhaya Legend 2 Halong Bay
The Bhaya Legend 2 Cruise was fantastic boat and sleeps 6 people. The cruise also includes an itinerary for day trips with a guide, tasty cuisine, and comfy state rooms with all the comforts of home.
Fisherman…
Here are a few tips to help with your trip to Halong Bay. With so many boats and services offered here these are a few tips and suggested sites to see.
Fishing Boat in the Floating Village
Cruise the 3 bays of the Gulf of Tonkin; Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bays, and Long Ha Bay
Floating Village
Floating Fishing Village in Bai Tu Long by row boat
Oyster Farm
Oyster Farm
Swim and Kayak by a secluded white sand beach
Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot Cave
Wow, what an amazing cave. Walk up the stars from the boat to the opening and see the enormous Sung Sot Cave. View the hundreds of stalagmites and stalactites. Take the winding path inside the cave and view the variety of different chambers with colored lights that illuminate the beauty of the walls. See the formations that look like a dragon, monkey, bird, and a turtle. There are many steps throughout the cave so comfortable shoes are a must but are very manageable. The view of the bay upon exciting makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. A visit there in the early morning is the best to avoid the crowds.
Cooking Demonstration
While on cruising on out boat it was exciting to try our hand at making some Vietnamese Cuisine. Also learned how to make decorations out of vegetables.
Transportation
Transfers to and from Halong Bay can be arranged by Bhaya Cruise Line when you book.
This transportation from Hanoi to the Halong Bay makes logistics so much easier.
Enjoy your trip to Halong Bay. Make sure to please share your tips and ideas in the comment section.
Other
If you looking for more trip ideas please check out my other adventures on 1Adventure Traveler. More blogs to come on Asia, US, Europe…and other places where my adventures take me. Also follow me on Twitter and Facebook for the most recent travel tips and locations. Life is short, go out and have an adventure!
Pin this for later use!
Please have a look at the link up’s I’m participating in with #FollowMeFriday on Facebook. Here you will find fantastic adventures by other professional bloggers.
I absolutely loved my time in Halong Bay and it was definitely my favourite part of Vietnam – so much to see and do and a particular highlight was a cycle ride on Cat Ba Island. Thanks for bringing back some great memories
Thanks Alexei,
Halong Bay is a great place to visit while in Vietnam. How fun to cycle ride on Cat Ba Island! I will have to look for your article on that adventure.
Happy Travels 🙂
I’ve seen so many photos of Halong Bay on instagram. Halong Bay looks like the perfect trip from Hanoi, with it being a UNESCO world heritage site makes it more enticing!
Hi James,
Halong Bay was fascinating plus staying on a boat for 2 days exploring was fun. Hope you get a chance to visit.
Happy Travels 🙂
Wow, this place looks marvelous. Thanks for sharing, will definitely pin it for later!
Thanks silva,
Halong Bay was a great experience and boating around the cliffs was just amazing. Hope you get a chance to visit there some time.
Happy Travels 🙂
Halong bay is so beautiful! It is on our bucket list. Sounds like a great cruise trip. The cooking demonstration is a great idea to learn more about the culture. What time of the year do you recommend?
Hi Siddharth and Shruti,
I went at the beginning of the raining season which we didn’t see much rain until about the 3 week into our trip. The only problem was that most of the time was cloudy and that doesn’t make for good pictures along with the humidity. Otherwise I would say not to go during rainy season and there spring time would be a good time to go.
Happy Travels 🙂
I have read many posts about Halong Bay, but this one brings in a fresh perspective. It is indeed a lovely place and whenever I get to Vietnam, this is the place I would be heading to first.
Hi Sandy,
Halong Bay I thought was wonderful but I was on a private boat. They do have other live aboard boats for a few nights which I saw on the Bay. What I like is when you on the Bay for a few days, one has the opportunity to see the floating village and more. Looking forward to your perspective when you visit Halong Bay.
Happy Travels 🙂
I love caving, and will absolutely be adding this one to my list. Halong bay looks like a stunning destination 🙂
Hi Scarlett,
Halong Bay was so much fun along with caving. Not sure if dogs are allowed on the boats but maybe your parents would love a visit 🙂
Happy Travels!
If there is one thing we’re dying to do…no, wait…there are a dozen things we’re dying to do in Vietnam! Halong Bay is very high on that list, though! 🙂
Hi Rob & Ann,
Halong Bay is fun but I think what makes it if you can stay a few days on the bay to experience the cave and floating village. Of course a private boat is fun but they do offer boats for more passengers. We enjoyed a nice relaxing time in Halong Bay before the fast pace of our Viking River Cruise.
Can’t wait to see what you think of Halong Bay.
Happy Travels 🙂
Really informative post, we have yet to visit but this makes us want too! #feetdotravel
Thanks Paul and Carole,
Halong Bay is a great excursion from Hanoi. Great place to relax and see some fascinating places. Hope you get a chance to visit.
Happy Travels 🙂
Perfect timing Stephanie, I’m in the midst of planning a trip to Halong Bay so will include this cruise line in my comparisons. I can’t wait to go. It’s been on my list for too long!
Hi Shona,
Glad it was perfect timing. This cruise line rated high on Trip Advisor at the time of our visit was why we chose them. What was great they offered transportation to and from Hanoi. Looking forward to hear about your trip to Halong Bay!
Happy Travels 🙂
I didn’t realise there were so many boat trip options, I love this! White sand beaches, caves and cooking classes – boy oh boy, when I get to Vietnam, I know I’m going to love it! Thank you for all the information, pinned for later use. #feetdotravel
Thanks Angie,
Halong Bay was fun and it is great to add a few days to your visit and take a boat cruise. Vietnam is interesting with so much to see.
Happy Travels 🙂
Wonderful..
I will use your advise… hopefully xxx
Thanks Corinne,
If you go hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Vietnam is such an interesting place to visit. I hope to add more blogs on Vietnam soon. Also a combination Vietnam and Cambodia trip makes a nice combination. If you visit any of the places I have blogged about please leave your travel tips for me and others. 🙂
Stephanie