Ha Long Bay in Vietnam: description, photos, reviews. Thousands of islands in Ha Long Bay. Vietnam Holidays in Vietnam Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam) is one of the most beautiful places in the region, a national park that is on the UNESCO list. About 3,000 islands with beaches and grottoes are scattered over an area of ​​about one and a half thousand square meters. kilometers. Halong Bay has magnificent landscapes that simply fascinate everyone who comes here, especially at dawn and sunset.

Where is Ha Long Bay?

It is said that the word "halong" translates to "the place where the dragon sank into the sea." Probably because the dolomite and limestone rocks sticking out of the water resemble the vertebrae of a giant neck of an ancient lizard. According to legend, the local Serpent Gorynych first created Halong Island, and then carved out the landscape on the shore with his tail. Finally, he sank into the water, and only fragments of land remained on the surface.

Ha Long Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea. You can get here by minibus or car from the capital of Vietnam - Hanoi (the most convenient starting point for departure). It is approximately 150–170 kilometers from the city. The journey will take 3–4 hours.

It is better to come to the bay from December to May, when the days are dry and warm. True, in winter the bay is cool, about 20 degrees Celsius during the day. From August to October is also good, but there are typhoons and the temperature stays around 30 degrees. Although Halong Bay is charming at any time of the year. Even in the pouring rain, you will take a lot of great photos and bring with you only the best emotions.

Settlement on the water

One and a half thousand Vietnamese live here, whose main income is tourists. Some take visitors on stunning sailing ships, some sell exotic fruits, others sell fish. There are fishing villages here, which also have their own life in full swing. It’s hard to believe, but people in Halong Bay buy water (like we buy plots of land), build a raft in its place and live as families. By the way, floating villages are always “built” near a spacious cave, where one could hide if a typhoon suddenly hits.

Ha Long - both the city and the bay

The city of Halong is located on one of the islands. There is a huge pier where many majestic ships built in the traditions of Vietnam find their refuge. The city is located approximately 165 km from Hanoi. It is divided into two parts: the eastern, working part, where factories and offices are located, and the western tourist part. The two parts of Ha Long are connected by a bridge.

Ha Long City

As a tourist center in Vietnam, Halong is new. Previously, it was known (besides the bay) only for coal mining. But it is not the city that attracts tourists, but the bay itself. The ships are surrounded on all sides by picturesque rocks. Moreover, when you sail on a ship, depending on the perspective, the islands change their color. The islands nearby are green, further away they are dark gray, and on the foggy horizon they are silver. There is a feeling that there is an alien landscape around.

Now they actively offer excursions around this bay of Vietnam with visits to grottoes, small fishing villages and neighboring islands. On one of the mountains there is a magnificent observation deck from where you can take wonderful photos of Halong Bay. On average, the excursion lasts 4-5 hours (which fly by) and costs from $25 per person.

Entertainment in Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a wonderful place in Vietnam, alluring with its untouched nature. Here the people live on the sea waves, huddling on small pieces of land, in the company of only underwater creatures and wild monkeys. The latter persistently beg for treats from tourists. You will definitely find something to do here.

Sea cruise

Although Ha Long Bay, as it is called in English, is protected by UNESCO, visitors are still taken around the islands. True, the Vietnamese are quite law-abiding people, so they try to adhere to the rules so as not to harm nature. However, this does not prevent especially cunning sailors from inviting tourists onto their outdated ships, luring them with low prices. So don’t settle for suspiciously good offers; some ships are simply unsafe.

Cruises in Ha Long come in a variety of budgets and, accordingly, service. Usually, a ride around the bay includes meals: from rice with potatoes and lecho to a wide variety of delicious dishes. The programs on cruises around the bay are rich, so in your cabin you will only have time to sleep. From early morning (usually from 6 o'clock) the day already begins. Vacationers are offered scalding and aromatic Vietnamese coffee with buns and fruit. For those interested - Tai Chi exercises. And, of course, sightseeing.

Local cooks love to hold master classes. Usually, as an example, they offer simple but tasty Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls or nem pancakes.

Stalactite cave

You can even admire the picturesque views between the cliffs and cliffs of the bay from the cabins. The ships land at several islands in Ha Long Bay that are prepared for visitors. Guides take you to observation platforms and then into caves. The grottoes, by the way, are wonderful. There are stalactites and stalagmites everywhere, amazing rock relief and, of course, lighting. Somewhere just a yellow light is on, somewhere there are colored lamps... Here and there a timid ray of sun breaks through from the surface. All together creates the impression of unreality.

One of the entertainment options on a Halong Bay cruise will probably be fishing. Moreover, they can offer fishing or squid fishing even at night. At night, the water in the bay is even more beautiful - in places it glows, and the bay seems truly mysterious.

At the pearl factory

Halong Bay (Vietnam) is also a place where pearls are grown. During the cruise, you may be invited to visit Pearl House, a pearl factory. Here your ideas about how brave divers, risking their lives, hold their breath and scour the bottom in search of precious shells, will collapse. Here, the production of organic jewelry is on stream.

At the factory they will tell you about all stages of production. No one waits years for a layer of mother-of-pearl to naturally grow in a shell. Blanks are inserted into the shells - beads made from pressed shells. Then the mollusk is released into the wild for about a few months, and only then the finished pearl is taken out of it. After such treatment, some mollusks die. In general, the life of these sea creatures cannot be called easy - they work like hell.

Tourists in Loon Cave

Luon Cave is a lagoon on the territory of Halong Bay (although it’s strange: in English cave is a cave). It turns out that the lagoon is in the bay. Luon Cave is surrounded on all sides by rocks and is not easy to get there. If you are sailing on a yacht on a cruise, then in order to sail into the lagoon, the ship anchors. Passengers are loaded onto boats or kayaks and floated to the pier. From there - on bamboo boats, because you can’t go deep into the lagoon on motorboats.

Places that attract large numbers of tourists are always teeming with enterprising sellers. And even this lagoon, remote from the cities of Vietnam and major routes, was not ignored by traders. Locals deftly maneuver between the boats on which foreign guests are sitting and briskly offer their simple goods: snacks, drinks, fruits, souvenirs.

"Floating Shops"

Interestingly, in exchange for tax breaks and the opportunity to trade seafood, Vietnamese from floating villages must clean up trash left by tourists. By the way, when sailing on a ship, be prepared that local merchants may board you. They swim up on a boat, hang on with a hook and climb into the windows with their belongings.

Kayaking

For those who are ready not just to sit statically on a boat, but to pick up an oar, there is another entertainment - kayaking. Here you will have to make some effort, but the impressions will be even more vivid than when viewing all the delights of the bay from a ship. The most amazing thing is that no one limits you here. You see a nice grotto - please swim under it, you want to land on the shore of the bay and take a walk for your own pleasure - if you please.

Every rock in Ha Long that hangs menacingly above your head can be touched with your hand. If you get hungry, on the way you will probably meet the merchants mentioned above, they will be happy to sell you something to eat.

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Beach holiday in Ha Long

Halong Bay does not have its own natural beaches. Most of them are artificially created, so if you want to go to a wild beach, you will have to look in the vicinity of the bay. The most convenient way to do these searches is by kayak. By the way, each island is special. Somewhere you can dive with a mask and fins and look at the colorful fish. Somewhere at night there is excellent sea fishing. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam (photos confirm this) is amazingly diverse and beautiful.

Beach of Cat Ba Island

1. 1. 1. Cat Ba (a national park in Vietnam) is famous for mangroves, coral reefs, and it’s better to go here for a beach holiday too. The infrastructure of the islands does not reach the popular beaches of Vietnam. But the inconveniences are compensated by the pristine nature and crystal water. Here, as on many beaches, they offer camping.
      2. Bai Chay is an island in a bay with a fairly developed infrastructure, although the beach here is not natural. On it you can have a snack in pleasant restaurants, stroll through a nice park or attend a performance in one of the musical theaters. On the beach you can go jet skiing or jet skiing.

Tuan Chau Island Hotel

1. 1. 1. Tuan Chau Island is famous for its dolphinarium. In addition to excellent relaxation on the beach (the coastline is three kilometers long) and entertainment in the bay, you can enjoy water sports here. Rock climbing enthusiasts also come here. For those who prefer to just lie in the shade or settle down in a tent city on the shore, there is also a place.

"Pearl Island"

1. 1. 1. Ngoc Vung, the “pearl island”, is quite large. On the south coast of Ngoc Vung you will find the best beach. There you can grab a bite to eat at one of several decent eateries. The specialty on the island, as elsewhere in Halong, is fish dishes. The basis for them is fish caught here by Vietnamese fishermen, which ends up on the cook’s table immediately after catching. On the eastern side of Ngoc Vung there is an old fig tree that can be seen in the very middle of the beach. It was under it that Ho Chi Minh stood in 1962 and talked with the local population.

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The place in Vietnam, where tourists from all over the world prefer to vacation every year (about a million a year), has already acquired a lot of legends, history and simply interesting facts. Here are some of them.

1. 1. • Avatar, the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and the recent Kong: Skull Island were filmed in Halong Bay, Vietnam.
      • From the nineteenth century until relatively recently, coal was mined in Ha Long Bay, and as a result of the mining, coal dust and other waste were left lying on the shores. All this still harms nature.
      • The special shape of the rocks sticking out of the water is explained by their limestone origin. Heavy rains dissolve the limestone. Geologists call this “tower karst.”

Hang Dau Go Cave

1. 1. • Hang Dau Go Cave is a “cave of wooden pegs” as much as 25 meters high. A stone waterfall of stalactites froze above. But this place is not famous for them, nor for the magnificent natural paintings on the walls of the cave. During the Mongol-Vietnamese War, local residents whittled stakes and kept them in this cave during the day, and at night they took them out and stuck them into the seabed to harm enemy ships.
      • The Drum Cave in Ha Long has an explanatory name. Due to the unusual landscape, in strong winds you can hear a sound similar to drumming.
      • Not only are there houses on the water, but there are also floating restaurants, schools, playgrounds, markets and even vegetable gardens. Some of the locals even have pets, which also swim after their owners.

Titov Island

1. 1. • Russians will be interested to know that there is a cape here called Titov. He received his name in honor of a cosmonaut from the USSR. There is a pier, a beach and a gorgeous observation deck. It’s a ten-minute walk to the site; you need to climb three hundred steps.
      • At the end of 2011, the worldwide voting to choose the 7th wonder of the world ended. Guess which bay won the vote?

This is what Halong Bay (Vietnam) is like. Even if you have already been there, you will always want to return to this wonderful world and forget about daily worries. Sit on the boat, sit with a cup of green tea on the upper deck and just contemplate. It's like meditation. Represent the hidden dragons that have found their refuge in the bay. And you don’t have to do anything, Ha Long Bay will do everything for you. It will erase worries and sorrows, amaze you with intricate landscapes... And then a ravenous appetite will awaken, and you will eat everything that is served. In the evening, you can wrap yourself in a blanket and fall asleep sweetly in your cabin, lulled by the quiet waves.

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In recent years, Halong Bay has been developing noticeably; its islands already have a complex of hotels, restaurants and other entertainment. Very soon there will be no trace left of its wild beaches, unexplored nature and mysterious corners.

Tuan Chau

The most popular beach in Ha Long Bay. It is located on Tuan Chau Island, 10 kilometers from Ha Long City. The island is connected to the mainland by a 2-kilometer road. The area of ​​Town Chau Island is about 220 hectares, most of it is covered with peaks and hills. There is everything for a luxurious holiday: hotels, mansions, a golf course, a dolphinarium, a water park, picturesque nature and a sandy beach. The width of the beach reaches 30 meters, and the length of the coastline is 3 kilometers. On the beach you can not only sunbathe and swim, but also go water skiing or scootering, go fishing or play beach games on the shore.

Bai Chay

This beach stretches on the shore of Halong Bay for almost 500 meters, the width of the beach strip is about 100 meters. This is a great place to relax; it is almost always warm and sunny, with soft sand and clear water. This place has cafes and restaurants, as well as Ha Long Market and Hoang Za Park.

Titov Beach

The crescent-shaped sandy beach is located on the island of the same name in the waters of Halong Bay. Usually tourists are brought here for a short time so that they can relax, enjoy the beautiful views and rest.

Beaches of Cat Ba Island

On the largest island of Ha Long Bay there is a national park that includes most of the island. All the beaches of the island (there are about 3 in total) are located in its southern part. During the high season, the beaches are very crowded; this is a favorite vacation spot for the Chinese. In general, the beaches are beautiful, but the entrance to the sea is rocky and a little dirty.

In the north of Vietnam, in the South China Sea, lies one of the most beautiful corners of the planet - Ha Long Bay. Every year, millions of tourists come there from all over the world to see with their own eyes the picturesque cliffs, rocky islands and mystical caves embraced by the turquoise abyss of the waves. It is not for nothing that the bay was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a new wonder of the world. We will tell you later in the article how to get to the most iconic resort of the Republic of Vietnam and have a beautiful holiday there.

Getting to know a popular tourist spot in Vietnam

In the native language, this earthly paradise sounds like “Vịnh Ha Long”, which translated means “where the dragon descended into the sea.” As the ancient legend tells, the fiery beast lived in the local mountains for many years, but one day decided to come down. As he walked, he hit the ground with his giant tail and left behind huge valleys. And when he plunged into the sea, the waves flooded part of the land destroyed by the traces. As a result, thousands of quaint islands were formed that have survived to this day.

Ha Long Bay

Did you know? Halong Bay became the location for the filming of the famous film« Indochina» , which won an Oscar in 1993. In 1997, the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies was filmed in the bay. In addition, the scenic spot has been featured in many entertainment programs and television shows.

Geographical location

Ha Long Bay must be looked for in the Asian Pacific Ocean, in the Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh, which is washed on the northern side by the Gulf of Tonkin. The tourist resort extends over 1.5 thousand square meters. m and consists of 3 thousand small rocky islands, as well as many grottoes, cliffs, and caves. Administratively, this land is assigned to Van Don County and the cities of Halong and Cam Pha. It is famous for its amazing wildlife scenery and rich biodiversity.

Among the island parts of the bay, the island stands out as the most civilized. Tuan Chau, where the first president of Vietnam and respected politician Ho Chi Minh was once located. But the largest area is characterized by the island of Cat Ba from the archipelago of the same name. Its forested area covers about 285 square meters. km, most of which are declared a national park.

When entering the bay, enthusiastic tourists often associate it with a fairy tale. Indeed, the countless lakes, waterfalls, grottoes, cliffs overgrown with mysterious vegetation, as well as rich flora and fauna that are present throughout the landmass, make one believe in this.

Did you know? In 1962, Halong Bay received the status of "National Famous Landscape Monument" from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

A little history

There are various legends about the origin of the Halong Bay islands, many of which are so tiny that they don’t even have names. But the echoes of some of them hide real facts that have gone down in history. It is known that this land has survived numerous wars and at a certain period was a refuge for pirates, whom the Vietnamese-Chinese authorities tried in every possible way to exterminate.

In the long-term struggle for a place in the sun, the Vietnamese learned to recapture their shores. By cunning, they captured the troops of the Mongol Khan Kublai Khan, who tried to conquer Vietnam at the end of the 13th century. Throughout the coastal area of ​​the bay, local residents drove wooden stakes with sharpened metal tips into the ground.

Hang Dau Go Cave

The tide hid the trap underwater, allowing enemy ships to get too close. One of the local attractions, Hang-Dau-Go, which translates as “cave of wooden stakes,” also reminds us of the victory over the Mongols. Rumor has it that military ammunition was stored in this place.

During the entire existence of the bay in the rocky labyrinths of Ha Long Bay, the Vietnamese army stopped the invasion of its Chinese neighbors three times. And during the war against the United States of America, the People's Republic of China took the side of North Vietnam, transferring to it ships with anti-aircraft installations. These gifts have long been used by the Vietnamese fleet to control the Halong coast from sudden invasions of enemies, including the Chinese.

Did you know? Vietnam has firmly secured second place in per capita rice consumption. Over the course of a year, the average Vietnamese eats 169 kg of this product, i.e. a family of two people needs almost a kilogram of rice per day.

How to get there

You can also get to Halong Bay by cruise ship

Getting to Ha Long Bay is much easier as part of an excursion tour than on your own. This is what most tourists do. However, if you wish, you can travel on your own, which, of course, will be cheaper.

Airfare prices depend on the start of the tourist season. The cheapest tickets are in October, November and the first half of December. In general, a round trip flight will cost approximately 2 thousand US dollars. The flight lasts more than 9 hours.

Today, many airlines from different parts of the world cooperate with Vietnam, so the choice of convenient flights is very large, but there are no direct airlines to Ha Long Bay. According to reviews from experienced travelers, it is better to get to this resort from the Vietnamese capital Hanoi or Chinese Nanying. You can do this by bus or rented car with a driver. But be prepared for the fact that public transport will cost 10–20 dollars, and for rented wheels you will have to pay at least 100 US dollars:

1. From Kyiv, the starting point can be both Boryspil and Zhulyany airports. From there, for about 24-33 thousand hryvnia you can fly to Hanoi Non Bai Airport.
2. It is better to fly from Moscow starting from Domodedovo or Sheremetyevo. For 32–38 thousand rubles you can be delivered to the Vietnamese airports of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
3. There is also a direct flight from Minsk to the Vietnamese capital. Its cost varies between 2-3 thousand Belarusian rubles, but you will have to spend about 13.5 hours in the sky.
4. It is more convenient to get from Bangkok, Thailand to Vietnam using one of the local low-cost airlines. The flight takes about two hours and costs approximately $150.

If independent travel is not your thing, then it makes sense to contact any of the local travel companies to purchase an excursion. All tours last 1-4 days and cost between $25 and $85.

Important! Walking tours in Halong are carried out in the mornings (the last boat departs at 13:00), so when planning your route, take this into account if you don’t want to waste a day on a useless stay at the hotel.

Climate and weather

It is better to plan a holiday in Ha Long Bay in September, October, March, April and May. During this period, the coast is sunny and warm. The average air temperature ranges from +22…+32 °C. The water warms up to +30 °C. Sea salinity reaches 31–34.5%.

Ha Long Bay

At the end of November, the beach season ends and the dry, cold winter begins. The harshest months here are December and February. The thermometers do not drop below +15 °C, but a piercing wind blows, and there is practically no precipitation.

In summer the bay is quite hot, but there is dampness in the air due to the onset of the rainy season. About 2200 mm falls in northern Vietnam per year. August is especially rainy.

In general, the climate on the tropical coast is mild and humid. Excursions are available all year round, but given the proximity of the ocean and cold winds in winter, it is not advisable to come here.

Did you know? Fish sauce produced by fermentation is very popular in Vietnamese cuisine. To do this, the caught fish is thoroughly salted and put under pressure in wooden barrels for several months. The resulting unpleasant-smelling discharge is that notorious sauce, without which local residents cannot imagine their lives.

Best beaches

With the rapid influx of tourists, Halong Bay began to actively develop. Hotel complexes, restaurants and entertainment centers have appeared on the large islands. But, in addition to everything created by man, there are wonderful, outlandish places, one of which is the beaches.

1. This is a very popular place in the bay, which is located 10 km from the capital of Vietnam on the island of the same name, Tuan Chau.
   

   Its area measures 220 hectares, most of which are covered by mountains and hills. Near the three-kilometer coastline there are hotel and entertainment complexes and catering establishments. There are also golf courses, water parks, and a dolphinarium. The width of the beach reaches 30 m. Here you can organize a holiday for every taste: ride a water ski or scooter, play on the shore or go fishing. The place is noisy and not suitable for a family weekend with children.

2. This is an equally popular beach among tourists, which stretches for half a kilometer on the shore of the bay. Its width reaches 100 m. The coastline is characterized by clean sand and water. Restaurants, a market, and Hoang Za Park are concentrated along the coast.

   
   

3. This beach is located on the island of the same name, named after the Soviet cosmonaut. Its peculiarity lies in its semicircular shape, wonderful landscapes around and privacy. Occasionally, wandering tourists land on the clean sands of the crescent beach to relax and enjoy the pristine nature. The length of the coastline is a little more than 2 km.

   
   
   

4. To find this beach, you need to go to the largest island in the bay, Cat Ba Island. The beach, up to 350 m long, is located in a quiet bay. It is distinguished by clean soft sand, crowded people and a rocky descent into the water. The Chinese love to relax here.

   
   

5. This beach holiday option is more suitable for those who want to move away from civilization and people. It is located on a tiny island of the same name, which is a 10-minute boat ride from Cat Ba. There is only sand, water, bungalows and the only hotel, Monkey Island Resort. The length of the coastline is up to 250 m.

   
   

Important! Be vigilant and do not forget for a minute about the entrepreneurial spirit of the Vietnamese. For example, you may be offered a boat or kayak trip to a cave. They will say that the trip will cost 1 or 2 dollars, and when you get on the boat, they will ask you for 5 or more dollars. Therefore, check the price and pay before boarding the ship.

What to see for a tourist

Once in Vietnam, be sure to plan your vacation in such a way that you visit new attractions in the country every day. There are a lot of them in Halong Bay. These are not museums and sculptures, but the most ancient masterpieces of nature.

Here is a list of the most popular and unforgettable of them:

1. - recognized as one of the newest natural wonders of the world, located on the island of Bo Ho. It was discovered only at the end of the 19th century, although its age reaches 500 million years. The length of the cave stretches for half a kilometer. Inside there are many very ancient stalactites and stalagmites, the bizarre shapes of which are displayed in natural bodies of water. To many they resemble wild animals.

   
   
   

2. - consists of two illuminated halls. The first one receives sunlight, and the second one is illuminated with lamps. To see them you need to climb 100 steps.

   
   
   

3. - this is the longest cave in Vietnam, which stretches for 30 km. In its depths you can see a stone arch, underground streams and even rock paintings of primitive people.

   
   
   

4. National Park on Cat Ba Island. It is remembered for its picturesque hills, mangroves of the hills, the marvelous nature of the subtropics and countless beaches for every taste and budget. By the way, there are coral reefs near the coast.
5. - in the labyrinths of the islands there are several settlements on the water. Their inhabitants rarely set foot on land. For them, their main source of income is fishing.

   
   
   

6. Ceramics factory- on weekdays it is open to everyone. There you can see the process of making ceramic products and an exhibition of the works of masters.
7. - amazes the imagination with its mysterious hills and rocky cliffs. But the most attractive thing about this place is the panoramic peak, which offers views of the entire bay.

   
   
   

8. - represents the central attraction of the Republic of Vietnam. In 1917, she was honored by a visit from Emperor Khai Dinh himself. This is evidenced by the memorial inscription that the leader left on a special stele. There is a lot of interesting things in the cave, in addition to the bizarre stone giants; what surprises visitors most of all is the natural reservoir inside the grotto with the purest drinking water.

   
   
   

9. ― this is one of the largest caves in the bay, reminiscent of an endless tunnel. Its length reaches 1300 m.

   
   
   

10. Acoustic grotto― deserves attention not only due to the amazing shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, but also due to its unreal acoustics. During the winds, such unusual sounds are heard in this place that it may seem that the Dragon Mother, who protected the Vietnamese from the evil Chinese, has not yet left Ha Long Bay.

Did you know? A bottle of beer on a cruise ship costs about 40 thousand Vietnamese dong. For alcohol brought with you or purchased not on the ship, they often require the so-called right of cork - about 10 thousand dong per bottle.

Other types of entertainment

After walking excursions through the island labyrinths of the bay, exploring caves and grottoes, amazing vegetation and wild animals, you can begin a more active holiday.

In Vietnam you may be offered the following options:

1. - This is the main children's playground in Hanoi. It combines theatrical and circus art and a cafe. Moreover, visiting children do not need translation at all to understand everything that is happening with the waterfowl puppets. Elementary stories with funny voice acting are quite accessible to any viewer.

   
   
   

2. is a legendary place in Hanoi, which has a reputation for having the hottest dance floor. The establishment is always crowded, noisy and smoky. But men should not come here alone. Otherwise, you’ll have to fend off intrusive, cheeky flip-flops all evening.

   
   
   

3. Sea cruise- you can find a boat to suit every taste and budget. In addition, the Vietnamese, at your request, can drop you off on any of the indicated islands. Just keep in mind that local residents closely monitor the behavior of tourists so that they respect nature. This walk will last for several days, but you don’t have to worry about food - the guides will take care of it.
4. Fishing- It’s best to go fishing at night, when the water, reflecting the coastal lights of Vietnam, takes on a new look. Local fishermen will reveal their secrets on how to catch squid and other oceanic delicacies.
5. - This is an activity for those who love active recreation. A tourist on a rowing boat can independently get to any island he likes and thoroughly explore everything on it, as well as relax on a wild beach. The main thing is not to get lost.

   
   
   

6. Water skis and jet skis- this type of active recreation will be offered to you on most of the large islands of the bay. It is best to prefer o. Cat Ba and Bai Chai.
7. Diving- for lovers of this type of recreation, diving excursions are recommended, which start from Hanoi. During your dive, you will be pleasantly surprised by the richness of the local underwater world. According to experts, in local waters there are about 200 species of plankton, 75 species of algae, 177 species of corals, and 196 species of fish.

Important! While on Quan Lan Island, beware of swimming as high coastal waves pose a threat to life. The local beach is clean and has pleasant soft sand, making it ideal for sunbathing.

Where to stay

In northern Vietnam there is a temporary home for tourists with different tastes and financial capabilities. If you want to relax in luxury, various hotels are at your service. Many five-star hotels provide their residents with a benefit in the form of free access to entertainment venues and attractions. And for those who are planning budget accommodation, the good-natured Vietnamese will offer hostels.

Hotels

If you have limited your visit to the bay to a few days, then it is better to choose hotels in the capital for accommodation. Well, for those who plan to spend their entire vacation admiring unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, and basking on the warm sand, island variations are ideal.

For the convenience of our readers, we have compiled a review of the best hotels in the bay:

Important! The most beautiful photos in Ha Long Bay are taken at sunrise or sunset. But keep in mind that the sun is here« falls» beyond the horizon at almost a right angle, and the time of dawn or sunset is very short.

Hostels

If your plans include saving on accommodation, you can spend the night in one of the budget hostels.

The following hostels are popular among tourists:

Did you know? The Vietnamese eat about 3 million dogs every year..

Where to eat and what you can try from the “exotic”

In Ha Long Bay, many hotels have their own restaurants. And since this resort enjoys an international reputation, local chefs try to satisfy the needs of every visitor. Having visited Vietnam, unexpectedly for yourself, you can taste dishes not only from Asian, but also from American, Australian, African, European, Japanese and even Slavic cuisines.

At the same time, they do not forget about their culinary traditions here. According to reviews from “experienced” tourists, Vietnamese cooking is radically different from Slavic. It is known that in these parts they eat everything that runs and moves, so exotic food for tourists is common food for the aborigines.

The following dishes are especially popular here:

Did you know? Don't be surprised if you see a plastic trash can under every table in a cafe or pub..This is a must-have at cheap local eateries. If this is not provided, then visitors throw garbage directly under the table.

For those who are not sure that their stomach can easily tolerate non-traditional food, there are restaurants and cafes with international cuisine.

Among these, the following have a good reputation:

What to bring

As a souvenir for family and friends from Vietnam, you can bring jewelry, jewelry, clothes or traditional trinkets. It won’t take much time to search for this type of product. They are sold everywhere.

Slavic tourists note the abundance of gift assortment and reasonable prices. For example, a tiny primitive refrigerator magnet can be bought here for 0.3–0.5 dollars, a painted plate for 2–3 dollars, and silk paintings will cost 10–50 dollars.

Most often, vacationers bring edible souvenirs from Halong:

Important! In Vietnam, as in many other eastern countries, it is customary to bargain for the thing you like. But this must be done good-naturedly and with a smile on your face. Bargaining is only appropriate in markets.

If there are concerns that the above gifts will not leave lasting memories, then you need to look at more significant things:

1. Jewelry. In Vietnam, even in the market you can buy inexpensive items made of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls. Of course, vigilance will not hurt, because they can easily sell you a cheap plastic or glass counterfeit at a “profitable” price. Since there are pearl farms on the islands, this product is very affordable. An exquisite bracelet will cost about $10, beads - $20, a silver chain with pearl elements - $10, and the same earrings will cost only $2.
2. Clothes and shoes. It is better to choose such products in shopping centers. A branded T-shirt can be purchased for $15, sneakers for $50.
   
   

   Silk items are preferred because they are natural and of high quality. Their prices start at $10. According to experienced tourists, silk products must be measured, and if you are not buying for yourself, then choose items one size larger. This is due to the peculiarity of natural material to “shrink” after washing.

3. Embroidered products. These are very beautiful and popular souvenirs. You can choose from silk embroidered handkerchiefs to tablecloths, tapestries and paintings. But for such a product it is better to go to a factory or specialized stores. The purchase price starts from $100.
4. Leather goods. These can be belts, wallets, ladies' and men's bags. Moreover, you will have to choose products from exclusive snake or crocodile skin at “ridiculous” prices - from 2 to 20 dollars.

   
   
   

In Ha Long Bay, tourists like to visit the following shopping establishments:

• Ha Long Pearl (pearl shop);
• Ha Long Night Market (night market);
• Viet Yacht (gift shop);
• Bai Chay Commercial Center (shopping center);
• Halong Tourism Market - Day Tours (shopping tour store).

A holiday in Halong Bay will be remembered for a long time by the colorful sunsets and sunrises, the indescribable beauty of the outlandish landscapes, the warm shore and the caressing waves of the ocean. All this must be seen with your own eyes.

(Vietnam). A photo of this natural attraction will be enough to understand why UNESCO included the bay on the World Heritage List of Humanity in 1994. And all tour operators sending their clients to Southeast Asia repeat as a refrain: “If you haven’t admired Halong, you haven’t seen Vietnam!” Well, let's follow the recommendations of the travel agency workers. In this article we will tell you when is the best time to visit Halong, how to get there from popular ones, where to stay and what else to see in the area. The origin of the bay is connected with a beautiful legend about a dragon. The monster lived in the mountains for a long time until it suddenly became furious. Destroying everything in its path, the dragon plunged into the sea. Now only its teeth-islands protrude from the surface of the water. And the name “Halong” translates as “The place where the dragon sank into the sea.”

Where is the bay located?

The main natural one is located in the northeast of the country. The city of the same name belongs to Nuang Ninh province. And Halong Bay (Vietnam) is part (locals call it Bac Bo) of the South China Sea of ​​the Pacific Basin. What is this lagoon so famous for? Its area is one and a half thousand square kilometers. And over one thousand six hundred islands and simply rocks are scattered throughout the bay in a chaotic manner. Some have such a bizarre shape that when you look at them it seems as if you are Alice in the land of fairy tales. If you approach the islands by boat, you will see numerous grottoes and caves with stalactites and stalagmites. There are also deserted beaches, jungles and other beauties. In a word, paradise. And a visit here is recommended for everyone who comes to this country in Southeast Asia.

When is the best time to visit Halong

This landmark of unearthly beauty never lacks guests. And the residents of the city of the same name profit from this, which, with the exception of the bay, does not represent anything interesting in terms of tourism. But still, do not forget that this region is Northern Vietnam. Ha Long in winter is often shrouded in fog and drizzling rain. This low season lasts from February to early April. And although the sea is not stormy, visibility is quite poor. And the windy, damp and slightly cold weather is not conducive to admiring the beauty. And during the rest of the year, the bay appears to the gaze of amazed travelers from all over the world in all its irresistible charm. If you want to combine contemplation of natural beauty with swimming, of course, it is good to choose the hot summer months for this. But then there is a high probability of rain. The high season in these parts is April-May and September-October.

Vietnam, Ha Long Bay: how to get there

The attraction is only one hundred and seventy kilometers away from the capital of the country. Therefore, you can easily go here for one day. Intercity buses run from Hanoi to Halong City. They depart from Mai Dinh. It is possible to leave by train, either regular or high-speed express. Another interesting option is to buy a one-day excursion to Halong Bay. You will be quickly taken to your place in comfortable minivans and taken on a tourist boat to the large Cat Ba Island. The tour lasts over six hours and includes visits to the bay's iconic landmarks. Independent tourists need to reserve a place on the boat themselves. The ticket will cost one hundred and thirty thousand dong. This price includes entrance to the national park. A taxi ride from Hanoi will cost fifty US dollars.

Day trip to the fabulous bay from other resort towns

Many tourists dream of seeing the marvelous Ha Long Bay (Vietnam) with their own eyes. Getting to it from Hanoi is not very difficult. After all, modern modes of transport will help you cover a distance of one hundred and seventy kilometers in a couple of hours. But is it possible to visit the bay in one day, coming from other resorts in Vietnam? If you are vacationing in the north of the country, in Haiphong or Sapa, then getting to the city of Ha Long will also not be difficult. You may not even need to go to Hanoi to do this. But is it possible to visit the bay from the more southern resorts of the country? This is unlikely to happen from Ho Chi Minh City. At least for one day. Is Halong Bay (Vietnam) accessible to tourists from Nha Trang? The local bureaus undertake to organize excursions to the fabulous bay for 450 US dollars per person. But often they return the money because there are not enough people willing to form a group. For a hundred dollars you can easily go to Ha Long on your own. But to do this, you first need to get to Hanoi. This is easy to do on board a Vietnam Airlines, JetStar or VietJet aircraft. And from there you can easily get to the coveted bay by train or bus.

Hotels in Halong (Vietnam)

This town is called the Gateway to Heaven. Doors are like doors. For those who rush to heaven, the gates to it are of no interest. And all the guidebooks bypass the sights of the city of Ha Long in deathly silence. So what can you see in this settlement, built on an artificial dam that connected two capes? Only Ha Long Bay! The sandy beaches of the city are artificial and are of no interest to divers. The city is regarded by most travelers as a place to spend the night after admiring the evening bay. Therefore, there is no shortage of hotels in Ha Long. You can stay in budget hotels far from the sea or in luxurious “five” hotels on the first line. Among the most worthy is the Vinpearl Ha Long Resort. If you want to extend your vacation in a fabulous bay, then you can book a hotel on one of the large islands of the bay - Cat Ba or Tuan Chau are at your service. An unforgettable night will be on board a luxury liner (for example, Signature Royal Cruise) or a traditional junk (Imperial Classic), which is moored in a picturesque place.

Types of excursions. Flight over the bay

For travelers arriving in Vietnam, Ha Long is the No. 1 must-see. Therefore, travel agencies offer a variety of excursions to this bay. Those who don't mind parting with $175 can get a bird's eye view of Halong Bay. In order for the helicopter excursion to take place, it is enough to recruit six people. You can book such a trip from the Northern Airport Flight Service Company. Departures operate every Saturday at eight in the morning from Hanoi's Gia Lam. If you are a guest of the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, you will be delivered to the hotel for free. From above, you will see all the islands of Ha Long Bay and take breathtaking photographs.

Other excursions

You don't need a boat to get to the nearby island of Tuan Chau. After all, it is connected to the mainland by a one-kilometer bridge. There is a dolphinarium and several hotels on the island - both expensive and simple guesthouses. A typical excursion involves a two-hour cruise around the bay on a simple boat with a landing on one of the Cat Ba beaches. Russian tourists arriving in Vietnam may be interested in Ha Long by Titov Island. The famous Soviet cosmonaut visited here in the 70s, and now one of the rocks bears his name. The islands of the bay are replete with caves and grottoes, which can be reached directly by boat. Cat Ba is famous for its virgin jungle and mangroves along its banks.

What to bring from Ha Long

This bay is famous throughout Vietnam. Halong is depicted on advertising posters about the country, replicated on many postcards, magnets, mugs and T-shirts. Therefore, you will be provided with souvenirs. As a reminder of the beautiful legend that tells the story of the origin of Halong Bay, purchase a dragon figurine. Also at the city souvenir market you can buy a beautiful model of a traditional junk with scarlet sails. These cruise around the bay. If you book a boat in advance, you can spend the night on board or go fishing from it.