>> Book a Ha Long bay tour
Halong Bay is one of the most famous spots in Vietnam and consists of a series of amazing limestone islands which are also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are some 2,000 islands located in Halong Bay and you will find many of them uninhabited and covered in gorgeous lush vegetation, making them perfect for hiking. If you like walking then you can also enjoy the craggy bluffs that cover the islands of Halong Bay, and you can also explore and discover isolated bays and dainty inlets.
Many of the islands are also home to famous caves where you can go spelunking and although Halong Bay can get quite busy during the high season, there are still some secluded spots to uncover if you are willing to island hop. If you prefer to stay in the thick of things, then you can enjoy seafood barbecues, sea kayaking and a whole host of attractions in the main towns such as forts and other monuments Explore the city.
Ha Long City is not where the fun is at; however, you are in the area, so you might as well explore it. Bai Chay market is a fun option that sells everything from fresh produce to cheap clothing. There are also various restaurants worth eating at, such as Tuan Huong and Linh Dan Restaurant. Both local restaurants serve the most authentic dishes. The world’s biggest aerial tramway also opened here in 2016, with cars that can carry up to a staggering 230 people at a time. The cars run between Bai Chay district and Ba Deo Hill, which has a large observation wheel that gives visitors a nice first view of the bay.
Visit the beach
Sunbathing on the sand with the beautiful view of the bay in front of you is an absolute must when you are in Ha Long Bay. Some notable beaches include Tuan Chau, Tiptop, Ba Trai Dao, Ngoc Vung, and Soi Sim. The beaches are found in their respective islands, scattered around the bay. Since you cannot visit most of these on your own, you will have to find either a one-day or multi-day tour that includes beach time and other activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, and visiting caves and floating villages.
Go kayaking around the karst formations
Anyone looking for an adventure at Halong Bay should consider going kayaking.
This is kayaking with a twist however, as the sea here is studded with eerie rising
karst formations that jut out of the water.
If you want to explore these up close therefore, then you need to get into a kayak
and get out on the water, and the conditions in Halong Bay are perfect as the seas
are calm and the visibility is excellent
Tour the floating villages.
It’s exciting to take a two- or three-day-long cruise on the water, travelling from
one place to another, but imagine living on a little house built on a boat. Someone
who lives on a floating village cooks, washes, hangs out with friends, and even
learns or works in this environment. Visiting these villages is a fascinating and
humbling experience. Take your time visiting one or more of the four main
floating villages in Ha Long Bay: Cua Van, Vung Vieng, Cong Dam and Ba Hang.
Go diving
Diving or swiming activity
Diving is one of the top activities in Halong Bay and the islands are the perfect place to enjoy the underwater delights in this part of Vietnam. The waters here offer excellent visibility and you can go diving and swim through scenic underwater caves grottoes.
There are a number of diving schools here, or if you prefer you can just take a boat
to the islands and swim and snorkel around.
Take a cycling tour
Halong Bay is well known for its laid back atmosphere and if you want to check this out for yourself then you need to rent yourself a bicycle. There are bicycle tours that you can take all over the region, or you can go it alone and explore at your leisure. There is no better way to tour Halong Bay than by cycling down to the various beaches on Cat Ba Island and the going for a refreshing swim at the end of a long bike ride.
Go night squid fishing
Anyone who is a night owl should consider a popular night time activity in Halong Bay which is night squid fishing. When you sign up, you will be provided with a fishing rod and you will be able to take in large shoals of squid which swim around in these waters after
darkness falls. One you have caught the fish, you can also enjoy a barbecue as the staff will show you how to barbecue these delicious sea creatures.
