Quan Lan island

Quan Lạn Island belongs to Bái Tử Long Bay; part of an island range on the outside of the gulf of Bắc Bộ. It has an area of 11 sq. km, and features eight populated hamlets. Quan Lạn Island stretch toward East – West from the foot of Vân Đồn Range to the Gót Mount with many high mountains to the east barring waves and winds, protect the villages. The island is situated on an important navigation route that connects China, Japan, Thailand and Philippines to Vietnam.

Along two sides of the island are tens kilometres of sand beaches. This is the endless resource for glass making which the sea gives to man and it is also the extremely interesting tourism

Since the 11th century, Quan Lạn had been one of the centres of the ancient commercial port of Vân Ðồn, which was animated and prosperous at the time. Today, there are still many vestiges linked to the ancient commercial port.

This also explains why the island, lying deep in the sea, has the large pagodas and archaeological sites seen today. On the island there is the Quan Lạn Communal House built in the 18th century; exceedingly beautiful and almost entirely preserved. Next to it is Quan Lạn Pagoda (Linh Quang Tự), which is dedicated to Buddha and God Liêu Hạnh.

The pagoda also worships the statue of old Hậu, a local person who made lots of contributions to the construction of the pagoda. The statue features a gentle and cheerful old woman, which adds an original character to the pagoda. Beside Quan Lạn Pagoda lies Nghè Quan Lạn (Ðức Ông) Shrine, which is dedicated to Phạm Công Chính, a local people who participated in the historical Vân Ðồn battle against the Yuan invaders. He was later honored as a god. Quan Lạn has many valuable sea products such as octopuses, butterfish, mackerel, holothurian, shrimp, and sái sùng.

Thien Cung Grotto and a dragon story

It is situated on the south-west side the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Ha Long City. The way to Thiên Cung is a perilous one, covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering a narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in we are more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from stalactite. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales.

Going out of the Thiên Cung Grotto, we have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature, get out of the imagine, ability and intellect of man.

This grotto is recently discovered, one of the most beautiful grottoes in Hạ Long Bay.

Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named Mây (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto.

In honour of the wedding, small dragons flew about through the stalactites and stalagmites, elephants danced together happily, snakes twined themselves around trees and two stone lions danced with their manes flowing in the wind. A large elephant, smartly dressed, waited for the bride and the groom. The genies of the south and north stars also came to attend the banquet, and the atmosphere was definitely animated and lively. All these scenes have been seemingly fossilized in the grotto.

In the centre are four large pillars supporting the "roof of heaven.” From the base to the top, many strange images seem to live in the stone: birds, fish, flowers and even scenes of human life. On the north wall of the grotto a group of fairies seem to dance and sing in honour of the wedding. Under the immeasurably high roof, stalactites make a natural stone curtain. Somewhere there is the sound of a drum beating, but it is actually just the noise made by the wind blowing through stone.

Arriving at the last partition of the grotto, a natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year. Here are three small ponds of clear water. Legend has it, that this was where Mây bathed her 100 children, bringing them up wisely and happily into adolescence. One path meanders out of the grotto; it was the way Mây, together with 50 of her children, took to harvest new lands. The 50 remaining children, together with their father, were left to build the native land. Left behind by the mother was the natural stream described above.

Bai Chay Bridge - the 3rd longest suspension bridge in Vietnam

    Length: 1,106 meters (3,629 ft)
    Width: 25 meters (82 ft) (4 lanes and 2 pedestrian lanes)
    Spans: 5 spans, main span of 435 meters (1,427 ft)
    Navigable width: 150 meters (490 ft)
    Load: Class A standard Japanese
    Cost: about VND 1046 billions, 40-month construction period, to November 30, 2006 termination
    Owner: Ministry of Transport, representing the owner: Project Management Unit 18-PMU18
    Design consultant - Monitor: Institute of bridges and structures in Japan
    Construction Contractor: Shimizu-Sumitomo-Mitsui

The Bai Chay Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge on Highway 18, connecting Hon Gai with Bai Chay over the Cua Luc Straits, separating Cua Luc Bay with Halong Bay, the territory of the province Quang Ninh.

This is the type of cable-stayed bridge which has two outer span, reinforced concrete box beams prestressed with the width of the world record pace for this type of bridge. The towers are located on the huge-sized pneumatic caisson foundation system, first applied in Vietnam with modern construction technologies and advanced. Bridge is constructed by balanced cantilever technology, at head height of 50m above the water level, bridge beams are reaching out to sea and ends when connecting two aligned, this construction technology to assure that vessels still can operate normally during the construction process.

The work was completed and opened to traffic on December 2, 2006. Bai Chay bridge has been put to use to address the needs of the people of Quang Ninh, tourists inside and outside Vietnam, and also to end decades of operation of the Bai Chay ferry.

Kayaking in Halong bay

Over the last decade or so, kayaking has become a popular activity in Ha Long Bay, which covers an area of 1,500 square kilometers, offering many options for both the less and the more adventurous.

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Hạ Long bay has thousands of limestone peaks rising magically from crystalline emerald waters and many dramatic islets and deep, mysterious caves.

However,  conventional boat tours are not the best way to access all of them, say both experienced and greenhorn kayakers after doing their thing in the famous Hạ Long Bay . Therefore, over the last decade or so, kayaking has become a popular activity in Ha Long Bay, which covers an area of 1,500 square kilometers, offering many options for both the less and the more adventurous. Kayaking in Hạ Long Bay is more than an indulgence, it offers vistas not reachable by other means.

With modern kayaking equipment, visitors can maximize on speed and maneuverability as they explore the open sea and many hidden lagoons and stalagmite caves that are difficult to access by other means. After a day of paddling amongst islets, visiting hidden caves, lagoons, unspoiled beaches and floating fishing villages, they often unwind on the boat and enjoy a sumptuous dinner which bring tourists a great travel experience./.

Cooking class in Halong bay

Cruising on Halong Bay, you can join our cooking demonstration. The chef shows you how to prepare some traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Vietnam is very proud to get more of the recognition it deserves in the world for its cuisine, with fresh ingredients and imaginative flavors, and one of the best experience of any trip to Vietnam is the food. Even if you do not expect to do much Vietnamese cooking, a cooking class is a fun and interesting way to learn and understand the local Vietnamese ingredients and how to make some of the popular dishes.

A cooking class in Halong bay junk cruise tour

Generally, most cooking classes are half-day classes starting in the morning with a trip to the local market followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch where you can eat the dishes that were prepared.

Most of the classes tend to be aimed at casual tourists, rather than serious chefs, and many tend to be cooking demonstrations, rather than classes with individual cooking stations. Please inquire before you book. Also, please keep in mind that some of the smaller, ad-hoc programs may be more flexible to change the menu or request more interaction, especially if you arrange your own private lesson for your group.

Biking tour in Halong bay

Biking in Cat Ba Island to visit Bee farm, cucupine farm, Trung Trang cave, Hospital cave

Moutain Biking
Trek 4500 bike new
Rental:
• Half day: $8. (9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm).
• Full day: $12. (9am-4pm)
• Local guide on motorbike: $25. (9am-4pm)



To rent bikes, contact First Choice
Self-guided route:
1. Cross island jungle way (half day):
Phu Long harbour - Cat Ba town, or vice-versa (~25km).
Rolling hill all the way, no shade but good ocean views.
Sight seeing stops: Thien Long cave in Phu Long.

2. Cross island ocean way (half day):
Gia Luan harbour - Cat Ba town or vice-versa (~25km).
Sight seeing stops: Bee farm, cucupine farm, Trung Trang cave, Hospital cave

3. The loop (half day):
Start cycling in Cat Ba town touring the loop thru the National Park, Hien Hao village and Tran Chau fishing village. A good blend of coastal and jungle sceneries (~31km).
Flat road with two big climbs, shady and cool.
Sight seeing stops: Bee farm, Porcupine farm, Trung Trang cave, Hospital cave.

4. The Big loop (full day):
Start cycling in Cat Ba town to Phu Long fish farm via Ocean road 25km, visit Thien Long cave by boat.
Lunch at Hoang Long restaurant on mangrove wet land.
Cycle back to Cat Ba via the jungle route (25km), and visit Bee farm and cucupine farm on the way.
You also have the choice of seeing more caves such as Trung Trang cave, Hospital cave etc.

• 9.am: Start from Ben Beo cycling to Lien Minh valley (on road)
• Tea break in bee farm before heading to single trail to Suoi Goi hot spring resort. Lunch then relax.
• Cycle single trail to Hien Hao through National park, visit Hospital cave (very interesting).
• 4pm: Tour ends in Ben Beo.

Restaurant & Bar in Halong

All over Halong, you will experience traditional Vietnamese dishes - rice, steamed food, fresh green vegetables, seafood, and beef. As you would expect, seafood dominates the cuisine all over Vietnam, and Halong is no different. Since Halong plays host to many overseas visitors but does not have a large expat population, there are some restaurants offering a specific cuisine. You will usually find these in the Top End hotels.

While you are in Halong city, try "Ba La Lot" or grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf. The meat has a delicious smoky flavour to it with a hint of spice.

Halong Cuisine & Food Guide

There are many restaurants offering both local Vietnamese dishes and "Western" food. The Mid Range hotels will often have restaurants offering both national and local Vietnamese dishes as well as "Western" food. Smaller hotels and guesthouses will usually be able to offer at least some non-Vietnamese food, but it probably will not be "just like Grandma used to make".

We have collected the list of restaurants and eateries in Halong to give you a place to start. However, please keep in mind that some of the heartiest, tastiest and most nutritious food in Halong and all of Vietnam is served from nameless roadside stalls that appear on the sidewalk around 17: 00 and disappear about midnight. Try it, you might like it! 

Restaurants List
Ngoc Linh Restaurant

This is a small restaurant, which serves seafood and western food, especially pizza and spaghetti. With open air space, you can enjoy the delicious food while enjoying the charm of Ha Long Bay.

Price ranges

- Pizza: US$3/piece

- Spaghetti: US$2/dish

- Spring roll: US$2/dish

- Curry: US$2/bowl

Type: International

Address: Ha Long Rd., Bai Chay, Ha Long City (near Post Office)

Opening hours: 07: 00 to 23: 00

 
Harmony Cafe

Located on the slope, 50 m from the Post Office - free entrance.

Type: Cafe

Address: Ha Long Road, Bai Chay

Opening hours: 20: 00 to 23: 00

Queen Vosa

Classical and modern dancing on the 5th floor.

Open every evening. Drinks at normal prices.

Entrance fee: VND 15, 000

Type: Bar & Dancing

Address: Le Thanh Tong, Hon Gai

Phone: 033.826-193

Opening hours: 00: 00 to 00: 00

Karaoke

In the large hotels: Vuon Dao, Thang Long, Thuong Mai, and Tien Long.

In the restaurants along Ha Long Road, Bai Chay (opposite Hoang Gia Park). On Hang Noi St., street near Bai Tho Mountain and in Ben Doan, Hon Gai.

Type: Karaoke

Address: Various

Opening hours: 00: 00 to 00: 00

Cafe Trung Nguyen Cong Doan Hotel

A sea view cafe is located in front of Cong Doan Hotel. The cafe serves drinks and fast food or breakfast; prices range from US$1 to US$3.

Type: Bar & Cafe

Address: Ha Long Rd., Ha Long Bay

Phone: 844-338 Opening hours: 07: 00 to 21: 00

Le Coq Bar - Le Coq Hotel

On the ground floor of Le Coq hotel, the Le Coq bar offers all the drinks from soft drinks to cocktails or alcohol with slow and light music. The staff are well trained and speaks English fluently.

Type: Bar

Address: Le Coq Hotel

Opening hours: 18: 00 to 00: 00

Halong Bay 2 days tour - sleeping on the boat

 A World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its picturesque blend of land and sea, this is one of the world's most precious beauty spots. The Bay is about 180 km from Hanoi, and covers an area of over 1,500 km. Dotted with thousands of rocky islands, it really is a natural sculpture on a gigantic scale.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong (L,D)

Pick up and leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. Enjoy an interesting 3-hour drive to Halong City, visitors will see the rich farmlands, water buffalo and people at work. Upon arrival in Halong, board in boat in the emerald water between the limestone outcrops and long corridors, enjoy the harmony of clouds and waters. Lunch on board. Visit the recently discovered Sung Sot Cave (Amazing or Surprise Grotto), one of the most beautiful ones in Halong Bay. Enjoy swimming at Titov beach. Watch the fantastic sunset on the bay. Overnight on board with a magic night in the bay.

Day 2: Halong – Hanoi (B, L)

Morning swim and sunrise breakfast. Continue cruising around the bay for viewing the numerous interesting types of islands on the bay. Visit Dau Go Cave ( Grotto of the Wooden Stakes) where in 1288 one of Vietnam’s most famous generals, Tran Hung Dao, amassed hundreds of stakes deep inside the cave prior to a battle with an invading Mongol army and Thien Cung Cave (Grotto of the Heavenly Palace), famous for its marvelous stalagmites and stalactites. Back to the wharf by noon.

On the way back to Hanoi, stop to visit the embroidery factory of the disabled with wonderful works at unexpected price. Arrive in Hanoi .

Sung Sot Cave

 Situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sung Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bo Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Ha Long Bay.

Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.
Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes.

A narrow passage leads to the second rooms, where a flow of light meets visitors. The chamber is so immense it could contain thousands of people at one time.

At the deepest point of the grotto, a "royal garden" appears with a clear pond and a seemingly fascinating landscape of mountains. Many birds and plants (benjamin figs, cycads and centenary banyan trees) live here. On nice days groups of monkeys might arrive in search of fruit.
It is situated in the central tourism centre of the bay, as well as Ti Tup Beach, Bô Nâu Grotto, Mê Cung Grotto and Luun Grotto. French named it "grotte des surprises" (grotto of surprise)

From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25 m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The grotto covers some 10,000 m2. Inside the grotto there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage. Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments. The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the grotto.

Up in the 30-meter roof of the grotto, one can figure out small, soft and even concave spots, which look like patterns in the ceiling of a theater. A huge piece of stone stands up to the ceiling by the grotto’s mouth. This evidences one of the typical karst-style grottoes with high scientific values.

At the side of the entrance, the rock seems to form the shape of a horse with a long sword. Legend has it, that after having defeated the Ân aggressors, Thánh Gióng (the Saint Gióng) helped the population to chase away evil spirits and demons. After this feat, Saint Gióng flew to heaven, leaving a stone horse and sword to continue to keep the demons away.

HaLong Bay - Value of Geology

The most remarkable geological events of Ha Long Bay’s history in the last 1,000 years include the advance of the segeologya, the raising of the bay area and the strong erosion that has formed coral and pure blue and heavily salted water. This process of erosion by seawater has deeply engraved the stone, contributing to its fantastic beauty. Present-day Hạ Long Bay is the result of this long process of geological evolution that has been influenced by so many factors. Some of the most remarkable are: the formation of the limestone layer more than 1,000 m thick during the Carboniferous and Permian periods (240 to 340 million years ago); and the development of the Hạ Long depression during the Neogene period (10 to 26 million years ago). The erosion process forming the limestone plain was most active in the Quaternary Pleistocene epoch (11,000 to 2 million years ago). It is because of all these factors that tourists now visiting Hạ Long Bay are not only treated to one of the true wonders of the world, but also to a precious geological museum that has been naturally preserved in the open air for the last 300 million years.

At the beginning of the Cambrian era (500 to 570 million years ago), the area, which now forms Hạ Long Bay, was basically mainland, submitted to a process of rain erosion. At the end of the period, it was flooded, commencing the existence of Hạ Long Bay. During the Odovic and Silurian periods (400 to 500 million years ago), the area of north-east Vietnam was basically a deep sea, submitted to the constant activity of tectonic plates. At the end of the Silurian period, it underwent a phase of inverse-motion that created mountains deep under the water. From the end of this period and throughout the whole Devonian period (340 to 420 million years ago), the area was subjected to powerful forces of erosion from the hot and dry climate. At this point, Hạ Long was part of a wide mainland that comprised most of today’s East Sea and Chinese continental shelf. Due to tectonic activity, the Hạ Long area and the entire north-east region were raised from the depths at the end of the Devonian period. In the later Carboniferous and Permian periods (240 to 340 million years ago), a shallow and warm sea reformed, which existed for approximately 100 million years. ha Long geologyIt created two kinds of limestone: the Cát Bà layer of the early Carboniferous period (450 m thick); and the Quang Hanh layer of the middle Carboniferous and the early Permian period (750 m thick). These two layers constitute the majority of the islands of the Bay.

Passing into the early periods of the Contemporary era (67 million years ago), Hạ Long Bay existed in the environment of a high mountainous mainland due to the influence of strong mountain-forming phases. The middle of the Paleocene period saw these motions remain continuous and stable, while strong processes of erosion began, and after millions of years, a form of semi-highland topography took shape. The continuation of this erosion has progressively cut the highlands into blocks with altitudes similarrr to today’s mountains.
Into to the Quaternary era, the process of erosion began dissolving the limestone-rich region of Hạ Long. The islands of today’s Hạ Long Bay are basically remnants of these mountains flooded during the early Holocene period. Rainwater flowed into crevices in the limestone that had formed from tectonic activity. This steady erosion constantly widened the cracks, eventually creating today’s formations. The middle and late Pleistocene epoch (11,000 to 70,000 years ago) marks the period when the famous caves and grottoes of the area formed.

The Holocene period (from 7,000 to 11,000 years ago) is notable for the advance of the sea. This movement reached its peak 4,000 to 7,000 years ago and forming today’s Hạ Long Bay. After that, 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, with the sea in a steady process of recession, Hạ Long culture began to develop. At the beginning of the late Holocene epoch, the level of the water once again increased, forming a marshy floor of canals and streams, and creating the water marks that can be seen on the stone cliffs of today.

Cat Ba island

Cat Ba is an island of approximately 140 km2 in Ha Long Bay, Northern Vietnam. It is commonly used as an overnight hotel stop on tours to Ha Long Bay run by travel agents from Hanoi.

Cat Ba is the largest island in the Bay and approximately half of its area is covered by a National Park, which is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. This golden-headed langur is rarely seen, as fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organised conservation programme. The Park covers both land and marine areas and has a high biodiversity, although it is at risk from too rapid an increase in tourism. Other mammals in the Park include civet cats and oriental giant squirrels.

Many tour operators include an option of trekking in the National Park or canoeing on three-day tours; shorter tours generally only stay overnight in the small town of Cat Ba (population about 8,000) or on boats moored in Cai Beo bay, about 2 km away from Cat Ba town. Cat Ba itself is attractively situated around a bay teeming with small boats, many of which belong to pearl or shrimp farmers, and can become very busy at weekends and during public holidays. The promenade has illuminations and a large fountain which only plays after dark; it is backed by a strip of cheap hotels and bars, but dominated by the wooded limestone hills behind. The island is a national park of Vietnam and was recognized by UNESCO in December 2004 as a Biosphere reserve of the world.

Bai Chay beach - interesting spot to explore.

Vietnam is an ideal tourist destination. The natural beauty of this country is sure to leave you spell bound. The diverse landscape of this country ranges form majestic mountains to sandy beaches, from tropical forest to plain land. Bai Chay Beach, Vietnam is one of the famous attractions of the country.

Bai Chay is a large, beautiful, artificial beach, closed to the coast of Ha Long Bay. The 100-meter-wide-sandy beach spans over 500 m. Early in the morning or in late afternoon, thousands of people liven up the atmosphere here.The dark sand is unique to this beach. During summer the climate is quite pleasant. The temperature remains around 70 deg F. The warm water, the gentle breeze, the sunny days make the soft beaches ideal for relaxing.

There are many legends associated with the name Bai Cháy. According to one legend, when the fleet carrying food for the Yuan-Mongolian invaders led by Truong Van Ho came there, the Vietnamese troops and locals under the leadership of Tran Khánh Duset fire to it. The whole fleet was engulfed in fire. Meanwhile, the northeast wind blew hard and further added fuel to it. Fire was so fierce it burned down the forest in the western side of Cua Luc. Hence the name Bai Cháy.

Another legend has it that the western side of Cua Luc used to be a wharf for seagoing boats. Acorn-barnacles firmly attached to these boats’ sides and underneath, and might wreck the boats. The local population had to use casuarinas leaves to burn acorn-barnacles. From Hon Gai and other neighboring places, people always see a blaze from there, so they called it Bai Cháy.

The limestone formations are wonderful in a word. These formations date back thousand of years. Because of the shape and the positioning many of the formations look like people, animal etc. They are known by many names such as Con Voi, Qua Chuong, Hang Sung Sot, Hang Bo Nau etc. You are sure to get awestruck by the surreal beauty of Bai Chay Beach of Vietnam.

The asphalt road winds its way through the white sandy beach and luxuriant casuarinas. The Hoàng Gia Tourism Company has invested in diverse services for tourists. The Bai Cháy tourist site is fast changing into one of the most captivating of this kind in Ha Long City. It comprises restaurants, water puppet and traditional music theatres, Hoàng Gia Park, water-skiing, and sea motorcycling. The Hoàng Gia Park lines along the Ha Long road leading from the Bai Cháy Tourist Wharf to the gate of the Ha Long Night Market.

Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Island is well known for its entertainment and recreation activities. From the main road just before you reach Halong city, you will see a modern archway which serves as the main entrance to Tuan Chau Island. The drive in will take about 5 minutes over a man-made reclaimed road. A huge modern entertainment complex which can seat up to 2,000 people holds dolphin and seal shows, a high tech water fountain with music, laser lighting and film showing on the water screen and an interesting crocodile show. There is parking available while taxis are seen outside the entrance of the island.

A newly built jetty that offers cruises to Halong Bay is lined with a 4km man-made beach occupied with local cafes and restaurants, a large building with ferry and cruise counters, a modern karaoke club and disco making this island a destination for locals and also foreign travelers. There is also a luxury Halong Bay Cruise company operating from here and prices are around US$200 and above per person.

There are a number of two to three star resorts available here which one of them is the Holiday Villa Tuan Chau The resort has breathtaking views of Halong Bay. However, Tuan Chau Island is quite a distance to Halong City and you may need a taxi or bus to get there.

The island is known to be owned by a wealthy Vietnamese family according to staff and workers on the island. It was designed to be the premier location for exclusive living with high end bungalows and world class resorts. The Miss Universe 2008 and Miss Vietnam 2010 Beauty Pageant was also held here on Tuan Chau Island.

Best time to visit Halong

Finding out the right time to travel enhances the pleasure of the trip. Halong travel tips informs you about the best season to visit the city. Since the winters in Halong are freezing and rainy season has chances of powerful typhoons, it is advisable that you avoid these months. Summers are bearable in Vietnam and the best time to visit Halong is within the months of May to October.

Incidents, accidents, or medical emergencies on the sea

In the cold season (December, January, February and March) and on rainy and windy days, it is advisable to travel on large boats, which have enclosed compartments and roll less. In the stormy season (August, September and October), it is advisable to consult the tourist information centre before travelling to Hạ Long. Tourists should comply with any temporary travel restrictions on the bay to avoid dangers. Before paying for a tour, tourists should know what kind of boat the tourist company has hired for them.

Tourists should be aware of where the lifejackets are stowed and whether they are adequate. If a person falls overboard, anyone nearby should call loudly for help and immediately throw down a lifebuoy. Those who are strong swimmers should take a life belt and save the victim. First aid, such as artificial respiration, chest press or making the victim vomit water, should be attempted if necessary.

If someone becomes unconscious or gets injured: Any doctor or nurse, or anyone with good knowledge of first aid should help. If necessary, call for help from other boats, use the walkie-talkie in the steering cabin or use a mobile phone to call the information centre at the Tourist Wharf for help.

In case of unusually strong wind: Tourists should insist that boat heads for the nearest island that offer an anchorage and shelter. In case of unusually strong wind: Tourists should insist that boat heads for the nearest island that offer an anchorage and shelter.

Dining and drinking aboard

Having a meal cooked from live seafood on the boat is a great pleasure. Almost all package tours include a meal of fresh shrimps and fish brought aboard before departure.

If hiring the whole boat, tourists can request a meal on the boat. Menus and prices are open to negotiation and are not included in the price of boat hire. The average price ranges from VNĐ30,000 to VNĐ50,000 per person, not including drinks. The price will be higher if the meal includes lobster, or crabs with large roes. Cold food and rice are also available. Orders for meals should be made to the captain 30 minutes in advance.

On the boat, there are also soft drinks, tinned beer and mineral water available for sale at the same price as on land.

If travelling alone or grouped with other parties, tourists should ask the captain about joining dinner on the boat. 9. Film and photography

There are many photogenic seascapes, landscapes and scenery on the bay and in caves that are of great interest to photography and film enthusiasts.

Fast film, from 200 to 400 ASA, is advisable because the boat shakes, and the light in caves is dim. Be careful to protect cameras from saltwater splashes. Passing through the islands, it is wise to stand on the upper deck or on the top of the boat for a view of both sides. Cameras should be attached by a cord to avoid losing one’s grasp when the boat is rolling.

In caves, a tripod should be used with the camera on the B setting. To take photos from inside the cave outwards, the photographer should switch off the flash in order to reach a good contrast and definition. Popular colour, and black and white films, and batteries are available for sale at the photography service kiosks at Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng Sốt Grottoes and on Ti Tốp Island. Videotapes and special films and batteries should be prepared in advance before the trip. Batteries of video recorders should be fully charged and replacements are advisable. The electricity source on the boat is not suitable for charging and may cause serious damage.

Taking photographs from high positions. From the entrances of high caves and the tops of mountains, splendid shots of the landscape are possible. The best locations are the left of the entrance to Sung Sôt Grotto, the top of Titov Island, at the entrance of Thiên Cung Grotto and at the exit from Ðầu Gỗ Grotto.
There are also places on land where photographers can get good scenic overviews: the top or upper windows of the Plaza, Ha Long 1, 2, 3, Vường Đào and Heritage hotels, the top of Bài Thơ Mountain, the Maritime Guest House and from Cửa Ông Temple.

Dawns and sunsets in Hạ Long, especially in summer and autumn, are wonderful, but very short, shadowed by the many islands. Photographers should be well prepared for taking photos of these strikingly beautiful views

Halong travel tips: Travelling on the Bay

The most interesting part of a Hạ Long tour is the boat cruise around the bay to admire hundreds of stone islets that seem to move and change as the boat passes, first seen from a distance, then hidden below the waves. The boat moors on some islands to allow tourists to visit caves and grottoes, and at sandy beaches for a rest, sunbathing and swimming.

Without advance knowledge, tourists may miss many beautiful stone islets, as there is so much to explore. Reading the introduction to the islands and the routes on the bay is good preparation, especially if you take a map of Hạ Long Bay to know where the boat is and which islands it is going to pass. You can also ask the captain to take the best route for the most picturesque scenery, and what to expect. You can also ask to reduce speed and cruise closer to the bases of spectacular and scenery.

It is an interesting experience to climb. Visiting the caves and grottoes is an interesting experience. Most are above sea level, but there are good stone and wooden steps leading to the entrances. The only difficulty is perhaps the narrow wooden gangway used for getting on and off the boat, as it is sometimes very steep when the tide is high. Sensible shoes are essential!

It is advisable to remember the boat’s name and number so that you can recognize it among the many boats anchoring at the pick-up point, particularly at busy times, as they are very similar to one another. Also, the landing and pick-up points are often in different places.

The paths in large caves are quite even and are illuminated. Tourists should, however, follow the guide and go in groups. You will be shown the many extraordinary figures among thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and other fascinating rock formations.

Tourists should return to boat schedule to be on time for visits to other places and to avoid keeping others waiting. There is plenty to explore and admire

Current types of tourism in Halong

- Travelling by boat: tourists can go to Ha Long Bay to view the landscape, visit the caves and grottoes and relax and go swimming on the sandy beaches of the limestone islands.

- Kayaking: a romantic and adventurous kind of tourism. A large boat carries small inflatable canoes or “kayaks” to deserted, almost unknown areas of the Bay. Visitors can paddle by themselves to explore remote wild islands and caves.

- Cultural – historical tourism: tours for people interested in culture and archaeology. They stay a longer time in Ha Long to visit archaeological remains, study tangible and intangible culture and experience the beautiful land and seascapes, along with the outstanding geological and historical sites.

- Eco-tourism on Ha Long Bay: visitors can visit isolated ecosystems with beautiful sandy beaches, tidal flats, mangroves, coastal wetlands

Halong Bay General Information

The Majesty of an Island Destination in its Full Splendor


Halong Bay is a body of water of approximately 1,500 square kilometres in north Vietnam with a 120 kilometre coastline, in the Gulf of Tonkin near the border with China, and 170 kilometres east of Hanoi. Ha Long Bay - means "Bay of the Descending Dragon" in the Vietnamese language. The bay consists of a dense cluster of 3000 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, which rise spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Dau Go (Wooden stakes Cave) is the largest grotto in the Halong area. French tourists visited in the late 19th century, and named the cave Grotte des Merveilles. Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites (as well as 19th century French graffiti).

Some of the islands support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Many of the islands have acquired their names as a result of interpretation of their unusual shapes: such names include Voi Islet (elephant), Ga Choi Islet (fighting cock), and Mai Nha Islet (roof). 989 of the islands have been given names. Birds and animals including bantams, antelopes, monkeys, and iguanas also live on some of the islands.
The bay was World Heritage listed by UNESCO at the 18th meeting of the Committee of the World Heritages of UNESCO (in Thailand on December 17th, 1994). It is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations.
Halong Bay has been the setting for local naval battles against Vietnam's coastal neighbours. On three occasions in the labyrinth of channels between the islands the Vietnamese army stopped the Chinese from landing. In 1288 General Tran Hung Dao stopped Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang River by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol Dubhai Khan's fleet.
During the Vietnam War, many of the channels between the islands were heavily mined by the navy of the United States, some of which pose a threat to shipping to this day.
The surrounding land region of Halong City is rich with high grade coal deposits, and is operated by the Vietnamese government. Click here to read more information of Halong Bay

Halong Bay Cruises
The best way to tour, see and enjoy Halong Bay scenery is board a junk boat and cruise around, the following cruises we offers are the unique idea for those looking to visit to Halong Bay in the future or near future. Choose which cruise tour you like to join and just take the tour code and contact us. Remember that if your group is more than 4 persons you might get discount depending on your departure date. We note that all cruises listed bellow are including transfer with pick up and drop off at your hotel in Hanoi. Click here to see list of cruises