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.
The best months to visit Ha Long Bay are
Avoid June, July, and August as it’s the typhoon and rainy season.
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
