Halong Bay, bordering the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the most visited tourist sites in Vietnam. This huge bay with a bewitching atmosphere has been listed since 1994 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here is a small practical guide to prepare your visit to this essential site.
A spooky landscape
Nestled at the bottom of the Gulf of Tonkin, just a hundred miles east of Hanoi, Halong Bay is a maze of more than one thousand six hundred islands and islets. The majority are simple pillars of limestone, but they compose an unreal scenery where the mountains seem to float on the surface of the water. The illusion is all the more striking when the site is covered with mist, which is common in this part of Vietnam. According to legend, a dragon descended from the mountain and dug valleys and crevasses to create this landscape out of the ordinary, a real labyrinth of water and rock. This water-worthy panorama is today one of the most visited tourist sites in the country. The inhabitants of the bay, who live in floating villages, abandon fishing more and more for trade with tourists.
Cruises for all budgets
Although its land is worth the detour, Halong Bay is usually visited over water. Tens of junks silently crisscross this huge archipelago, taking their passengers to discover this breathtaking site. Depending on the budget you have, you can choose between several options, ranging from the simple day without night on board, to the cruise of 3 days and 2 nights. If you only opt for the day cruise, it only allows you to get a glimpse of this World Heritage Site. It is therefore better to choose a longer cruise to soak up the atmosphere of the bay. It is also possible to associate a cruise with a stay on the island of Cat Ba, the largest island in the bay. Since 1996, it has been a protected nature park. You can see tropical forest landscapes bordering mangroves and cliffs. From Cat Ba, it is also easy to reach the bay of Lan Ha, with crystal clear water, hemmed in by the most beautiful beaches in the region.
Caves to visit
Many caves cut into the islands of Halong Bay. This bay is indeed one of the largest karst sites in the world. Among the most beautiful caves to admire, there is:
=> the Cave of Surprise (Hang Sung Sot)
=> Hang Thien Cung, famous for its concretions
=> Hang Do Go nicknamed the Cave of Wonders for its beautiful stalactites
Practical information
The best time to visit Halong Bay is March, April, May, October and November. The period from June to August is not recommended because of the heat and the risk of storms in the Gulf of Tonkin. The sometimes foggy weather between February and April reinforces the mysterious side of the site. To get there, the closest airport is Hanoi. Then you have to drive three hours by car or minibus to reach the bay.