When one thinks of Vietnam, there’s a high likelihood that the image that pops up is of tall limestone rocks seemingly floating on an emerald lake. That’s Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most scenic places in the world.
I spent 2 days in Ha Long Bay during my 3-week adventure in Vietnam, and I had mixed feelings during the trip. On the one hand, it’s undoubtedly gorgeous, but on the other hand, there are many problems plaguing the area.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Ha Long Bay to help you make an informed decision before travelling there.
Fun facts about Ha Long Bay
- Ha Long Bay means “Descending Dragon Bay”
- The legend of Ha Long Bay is that dragons dropped jewels (the limestone rocks) in the ocean to create a barrier, helping Vietnam fight invaders
- Parts of the movie Pan, and Kong: Skull Island, were filmed in Ha Long Bay
- There are around 1900 limestone rock formations, or “islands”, in Ha Long Bay, and they are over 500 million years old
- There are floating villages all around Ha Long Bay, where Vietnamese people live, since the islands are uninhabitable
When is the best time to visit Ha Long Bay?
The best months to visit Ha Long Bay are
- March and April (spring) for pleasant and dry weather. Keep in mind that April gets really busy with Ha Long tourism week.
- May for lower prices and fewer crowds.
- September, October, and November (autumn) offer mild weather and pleasant temperatures, although November can be chilly and occasionally rainy.
Avoid June, July, and August as it’s the typhoon and rainy season.
Things to do in Ha Long Bay and nearby
1. Explore the bay by boat
One of the most popular things to do in Ha Long Bay is to cruise down the bay. Many choose to take an overnight cruise trip, while others opt for a day trip, typically departing from Hanoi. Regardless of your choice, a cruise along the bay offers a unique and beautiful experience of gliding through limestone formations in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
Insider tip: Most cruises arrange transport for pickup from Hanoi, while some require you to meet at the marina in Ha Long Bay. We ended up booking a private transport from Hanoi to Ha Long, but you can also take a local bus from Hanoi (My Dinh or Gia Lam stations) to Ha Long City or Bai Chay.
2. Snorkel and dive near Ha Long Bay
Near Ha Long Bay, you can book snorkel activities and swim among beautiful coral reefs and discover some sea life, though there are issues of overfishing and pollution in the region.
The best places to snorkel or dive near Ha Long Bay are:
- Cat Ba archipelago
- Lan Ha Bay
- Cong Do area
3. Visit caves
There are many beautiful caves to visit in Ha Long Bay, most with incredible stalactites and stalagmites, and some come with their legends and stories. Most cruises will stop at least one cave, but bear in mind that in peak tourist months, with multiple boats going to the same caves, lines can get long, and you’ll be waiting out in the sun with a big crowd.
These are the popular caves in Ha Long Bay
- Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most popular caves in Ha Long Bay.
- Thien Cung Cave: one of the prettiest caves with panoramic views of Ha Long Bay. This cave is known as the home of the Dragon King and his wife May, and the shapes and colourful lights inside almost make you imagine the mythical stories.
- Dau Go Cave: known as the Cave of Wonders, it’s 300 metres from Thien Cung Cave, and requires a short climb of about 100 steps. Dau Go Cave has three different chambers to explore.
- Me Cung Cave: the oldest and narrowest cave in Ha Long Bay.
- Luon Cave: this is a unique cave that you can only reach by kayak. Right past the entrance, you will see stone pillars and a small secluded lagoon.
- Trinh Nu Cave, also known as the “Virgin Cave”, features a hidden beach located right behind the cave.
- Hospital Cave on Cat Ba Island, where soldiers were treated during the American War (known as the Vietnam War in the US, or Civil War in Vietnam). The medical rooms have been preserved for tourism.
4. Explore Ha Long city
We stayed in Ha Long for one night so that we could do a day cruise without rushing from Hanoi, and it was a bit of a let-down. There’s not much to do in the town itself, aside from the night market and the Quang Ninh Museum, and with the empty row of apartment blocks, it also felt like a ghost town.
An honest Ha Long Bay review:
Pros of visiting Ha Long Bay
- It’s a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The landscape is unique and gorgeous
- Gliding among the limestone islands is a very serene experience
Cons of visiting Ha Long Bay
- It’s crowded, and you will feel it the most when visiting the caves
- The water is polluted and can feel grimy
- Cruise ships in general aren’t sustainable due to waste management issues, food waste, plastic use, etc., and there are lots of cruise ships in Ha Long Bay
- While you’re not allowed to bring in single-use plastics (including water bottles) on your cruise boat, if you want to drink water, the only way is to buy bottled water there, thus defeating the whole purpose of reducing plastic
Verdict: Is visiting Ha Long Bay worth it?
Personally, I found Ha Long Bay to be crowded, polluted, and grimy (it’s the only sea I’ve swum in that made me feel dirtier after). And you’re not guaranteed a sunny, clear blue sky, meaning the water will not look like the turquoise or emerald one you see in marketing photos.
Some people recommend alternatives to Ha Long Bay in the same area, while others recommend visiting Ninh Binh as a “land” alternative. The concern is that these places will soon become as popular as Ha Long Bay, leading to the same concerns of overtourism and pollution.
Alternatives to Ha Long Bay
- Bai Tu Long Bay: you’ll get similar views and limestone islands as Ha Long Bay, with fewer boats and a more serene experience, though it’s a bit further out to reach.
- Cat Ba: the large national park adds something extra that Ha Long Bay doesn’t have.
- Lan Ha Bay: located near the Cat Ba archipelago, Lan Ha Bay is a quieter alternative to Ha Long Bay.
FAQs
- Why is Ha Long Bay so famous?
Ha Long Bay offers beautiful and unique landscapes, is a UNESCO site, and has been featured in a few popular movies, including Kong: Skull Island.
- How long do you need in Ha Long Bay?
How much time to spend in Ha Long Bay depends on how much time you have. Many people choose to do a one-day trip Hanoi, while others prefer to stay overnight on a cruise.
- Should you do a Ha Long Bay cruise or a day trip?
An overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay allows you to see the sunrise and sunset on the bay, though cruises are, in general, not very sustainable.
- Is Ha Long Bay crowded?
Yes, Ha Long Bay can get crowded, especially when the boats dock to allow people to visitthe caves. The lines into the caves can get long and very busy.
- Is Ha Long Bay clean?
Ha Long Bay has unfortunately suffered from overtourism concerns, including pollution. It’s not the cleanest water to swim in, and you will also spot plastic waste in the sea, despite government regulations.
