Halong Bay - The legendary bay

Halong Bay, the legendary bay with more than three thousand islands emerging from emerald ocean water. The color of the water is what makes Halong Bay special. It is not blue like most of the sea, its beautiful green color.

The most outstanding scenery in Halong Bay is the forest of limestone mountains on the ocean. There are 1,969 mountains in Halong Bay that are big enough to have a name, and many of them contain mysterious grottoes inside, some of which have just recently been discovered.

Each mountain in the bay could be a beautiful rock bonsai in your garden if you could minimize it, and many of them create beautiful images like Cock Fighting Islet, Incense Burner Islet, Stone Dog, and The Man Head...

Cruising on Halong Bay, you can sometimes see these mountains appear in six to eight layers through infinity, and your boat seems to be in a stone forest maze. Most of the captains on the bay don’t use a compass. Instead, they have memorized the possible routes through the bay.


Attractions in Halong Bay

	Ti Top island Located in the center of Halong Bay, 11 km far from tourist wharf, Ti Top island owns the attractive beach with a beautiful landscape and romantic sunset. Although the size is not really big, but Ti Top beach is famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand.
	Sung Sot cave Sung Sot (surprise) cave is one of the largest and the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay. It is regarded as an Opera theatre on Halong Bay with 3 main chambers covering an area of over 10,000 sq.m. Each chamber has its own beauty which surprises tourists. Especially, Sung Sot is one of the most typical karst caves in Halong Bay.
	Cua Van floating fishing village Cua Van floating fishing village has a population of 750 in 200 households. They mainly earn their livelihood by fishing since a long time ago. Their calling at a distance and rowing liven up the atmosphere of the quiet bay. The village boasts a training establishment for their children, which are the first floating classrooms in Halong. And the Cua Van Floating Cultural Center belongs to the Halong Eco, where displays the files and images of traditional fishing community in Halong Bay.
	Luon cave Luon (tunnel) cave is situated on Bo Hon Island, Halong Bay. This is an enclosed group of islands; they connect with the sea via a 4-meter-wide, 100-meter-long, and 3-meter-high mouth. The cave looks like a big arched entrance leads, which you can pass through the island by kayaking or bamboo boat; to a tranquil lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and high dangerous stone walls. On the cliff, the monkeys run to and fro in groups, fig trees shade the landscape and many orchids hang their sweet-scented flowers.
	Vong Vieng floating fishing village Vong Vieng fishing village also known as Vung Vieng fishing village, about 30km northeast from Bai Chay tourist wharf. This is a floating fishing village which the locals inhabited since long time ago, containing the peculiar cultural and precious historic. Vong Vieng floating fishing village has over 60 households with 300 people. Compared with other fishing villages on Halong Bay, this is the second largest village after Cua Van fishing village.
	Thien Cung cave Thien Cung cave has complex structures, with multi-sections, wide ceiling and high walls. Especially, from the ceiling, colorful stalactites pendulous in clusters formed the unique stone curtain. The walls as artwork massive, with soft lines, delicate to the detail. Center of the cave has four huge pillars, which are carved many featured patterns by nature.
	Dau Go cave Structure of Dau Go cave is enormous and pristine with a lot of stalagmites, and many big stone pillars, connect from floor to ceiling. Especially, due to expansive entrance, the cave space has high humidity and more sunlight, creating favorable conditions for the development of flora, typically ferns, moss, and some species of trees... This is different from other caves on Halong Bay.
	Soi Sim island Soi Sim island is a soil island with two peaks about 100 meters, a dimple in the middle, gently sloping in the southwest, and around the island foot there are nice small beaches with white sand. The island has an area of about 8.7ha, geological structure with 2/3 of the area covered by Feralit soil. Above the mountain is a small forest with abundant vegetation, including many endemic species of Halong Bay ecosystem.
	Trong cave & Trinh Nu cave Trong cave (Male cave) and Trinh Nu cave (Virgin cave) known as a couple on Halong Bay according to folk legend. Here not only has beautiful scenery and many stalactites, but also attracts tourists by the interesting dinner in a cave, with lights and candles, the mellow love songs, folk dance and music performances... like to bring visitors into a romantic world.

Things to do in Halong Bay

	Kayaking in Halong Bay The National Geographic has ever voted for Halong Bay is one of the 25 best kayaking places in the world. Alone on a kayak or with a companion, you will discover the emotions never experienced while brandishing paddles in the peaceful and spectacular scenery of Halong Bay, something special that you can not get while sitting on the cruise.
	Rock climbing in Halong Bay Rock climbing in Halong Bay is interesting and adventurous. Almost the climbers been rock climbing here are confirmed: this place is paradise of rock climbing on the sea, because Halong Bay owns thousands of rock islands and hundreds of climbing routes from easy to difficult. The goal is to climb the cliffs on the sea, and jump into the water when the end of the climbing route.
	Halong Bay helicopter trip Halong Bay helicopter trip is a great way to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the world natural heritage Halong Bay. From a helicopter looking down, panoramic view of Halong Bay as an excellent picture. The islands gathered with many shapes, some separated, forming the art lines on the vast sea reflecting the sunlight.

Time to visit Halong Bay

Halong Bay attracts visitors year-round. February to April is often cool and drizzly, and the ensuing fog can make visibility low, but also adds an ethereal air.

From May to September tropical storms are frequent, and year round, tourist boats sometimes need to alter their itineraries, depending on the weather. Some tour companies offer full or partial refunds if tours are cancelled - check when you book.