Where the Dragon Descends to the Sea
halong bay
HALONG BAY MEANS “ BAY OF DESCENDING DRAGONS”. AND SO SETS THE SCENE FOR ONE OF VIETNAM’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND SOUGHT-AFTER DESTINATIONS.
ACCORDING TO VIETNAMESE LEGEND, WHEN A DRAGON DESCENDED FROM THE MOUNTAIN, THE ISLANDS OF HALONG BAY WERE FORMED. THE DRAGON’S TAIL CARVED OUT VALLEYS AND CREVASSES AS IT MOVED TOWARDS THE COAST.
WHEN THE DRAGON REACHED THE WATER, IT FLOODED THE AREA LEAVING NOTHING BUT THE PEAKS OF THE ISLAND VISIBLE IN A BEAUTIFUL BAY.
DOTTED WITH THOUSANDS OF LIMESTONE ISLETS, HALONG BAY IS A BREATHTAKING WORLD HERITAGE SITE. SINCE BEING DESIGNATED A UNESCO WORLD HERIATGE SITE SINCE 1994, HALONG BAY HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS AN DIMAGINATION SOF VISITORS WITH ITS FLOATING TAXIS, VIBRANT NIGHT MARKETS, AN DPROXIMITY TO SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST DESTINATIONS.
Far about 1km from Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave is the paradise of spectacular nature and dreaming landscapes.
KNOWN AS SOLO TRAVELLERS HAVEN FOR ITS HIKING, SCUBA DIVING, AND INCREDIBLE ROCK-CLIMBING. THEY ARE MOSTLY UNINHABITED AND REMOTE. BU THALONG BAY’S ISLETS HAVE BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE BACKPACKER’S OFF- THE-BEATEN -PATH VIETNAM.
ONE CAN HOP ON A KAYAK OR A JUNK BOAT TOUR TO GET CLOSE TO THESE JUNGLE- CAPPED KARTS WONDERS OR EXPLORE THE CAVES INSIDE. IF HISTORY DRAWS YOU, HEAD 60 MILES WEST TO HANOI, THE CAPITAL OF VIETNAM FOR 1,000 YEARS. RICH IN NATIVE AND FRENCH COLONIAL INFLUENCES IN ARCHITECTURE, IT HAS BEEN CALLED THE “PARIS OF ASIA”.
PORT NAME AND LOCATION
International cruise ports such as Cai Lan and Halong International Cruise Port welcome both international and domestic cruises.
As part of a Halong Bay cruise package, your cruise ship will dock in Halong Bay or at the nearby Cai Lan port. Most cruise passengers stay in Halong Bay and explore the surrounding areas rather than venturing too far into the mainland. You’ll be about a 15-minute walk from cafes, free wifi, souvenir shacks, and restaurants.
Designed by Bill Bensley, one of the top five architects in the world, the terminal boasts Vietnamese and European culture and architectural design.
PORT LOCATION MAP
TRANSPORTATION IN HANOI
Taxis will be waiting for passengers at the cruise port. Uber and the taxi app Grab are in operation in Hanoi as well. Buses to Halong from Hanoi leave every half hour. Motorbike taxis are called xe om in Vietnam, and they’re a great option for solo travelers wanting to experience the city on a motorbike.
TOP SITES AND ATTRACTIONS
CAT BA NATIONAL PARK
Hiking the challenging trails of Cat Ba National Park isn’t for the faint of heart, but the verdant, lush canopy of Cat Ba is well worth the trek. Guided hikes lasting between three to six hours are available for all types of day trips and schedules. Look out for the rare mammals and endangered species that call Cat Ba home.
Covering a total area of more than 12,000 square meters, Sung Sot Cave is the biggest and most popular limestone cave in Halong Bay.
HANG SUNG SOT CAVE
Hang Sung Sot Cave is one of the most spectacular and largest karst caves in Halong Bay. You can explore the largest cave in Halong Bay on a guided tour. Learn the folklore of the limestone stalagmites and stalactites, and find out why the French, who discovered the grotto, nicknamed it the “Cave of Surprises”.
At approximately 25m above sea level, the limestone cave occupies around 10,000 square meters and comprises two vast caverns.
TI TOP BEACH
After cruising through Halong Bay, many of the tour vessels will stop at Ti Top Beach to swim and possibly climb to the lookout for a panoramic view of Halong Bay. First impressions of Halong Bay will not disappoint.
Ti Top Beach is famed for its clear water and white sand beach. Ti Top does have all the qualities of the quintessential island experience. An idyllic place where you can relax and enjoy a swim and a cocktail
Ti Top island is a small, picturesque island known for its beautiful beaches and stunning views of the surrounding bay.
OLD QUARTER HANOI
Enjoy the broad boulevards, French colonial architecture and wonderful Old Quarter.
Roam the narrow, winding, and often crowded streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter district, which is the beating heart of Hanoi’s cultural scene. By day, these French colonial buildings are office buildings, but by night, the district bursts to life with eateries, art galleries, and shophouses. Leave a few hours to stroll unhurriedly so you can explore Dong Xuan, the city’s biggest market, or the National Museum of Vietnamese History.
The French Quarter is an affluent neighborhood famous for its elegant Colonial buildings, some transformed into museums and government offices.
SEE A SHOW AT THE HANOI OPERA HOUSE
Once you get into Hanoi from where your cruise ship is docked, why not head to the Hanoi Opera House for an evening of culture and entertainment? Located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the Opera House is a French colonial gem for architecture buffs. Get dolled up and enjoy the show.
VISIT THE IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG
Also called the Hanoi Citadel, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in this part of Vietnam. The Citadel was once critical in the history of Hanoi and holds special cultural and governmental significance. Don’t miss the D67 house tucked within the citadel, which was the HQ of the People’s Army during the American Vietnam War.
It was built on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi.
VISIT THE HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh.
Popularly known as Uncle Ho or Great Father, Ho Chi Minh was the first respected president of Vietnam. His patriotism and dedication towards the protection of his country from invaders is what keeps him alive in the hearts of Vietnamese even long after his sad demise. He was the one to found the first Vietnamese Communist Party and fight against the French successfully for the independence of Vietnam and became the first-ever president.
The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi.
Built to preserve the legacy of North Vietnam's first President, the Ho Chi Minh Museum.
Specifically, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex consists of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. The visitors may explore this place and can find it amusing because it is not only a built attraction but a part of a remarkable history. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the heart of the complex as their resides the body of the president. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum body has it protected in a glass case with military guards all around him to inspect his body and the visitors. By far, the visit to all the areas of the complex has been considered worthy.
Built of wood on a single stone pillar, the pagoda is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, the symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow.
BEST TIME TO VISIT HALONG BAY
Being in the north of Vietnam, Halong Bay experiences four seasons but is mostly referred to as a cold winter and hot, humid summer.
PEAK SEASON - BEST WEATHER
Spring and Autumn
Much like Sapa, the best time to visit Halong Bay is either Spring – March to May and Autumn – September to November.
The weather will be pleasant, around 25 ℃ with clear skies.
April, May, September, and October are the best months.
Journey through the rarely visited and strikingly beautiful Ha Giang region of Vietnam. Here you will explore the history and culture of the Dao and Hmong tribes.
Winter
Winter in Halong Bay is from November to March.
The coldest and wettest months are January and February. Not ideal for swimming.
There will also be foggy days and the possibility of a strong monsoon. Temperatures will range from 12ºC to 20ºC.
December and January are also considered peak months as they coincide with Christmas and New Year’s break.
The bamboo shoulder pole, quang ganh, has for long been a useful piece of equipment for Vietnamese.
LOW SEASON- LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS
Summer
Summer in Halong Bay is from May to September.
Temperatures will be a minimum of 25ºC. Perfect for swimming and water activities.
Light-passing showers can be experienced during this time but usually pass quickly.
Be aware, during July – August, it is not uncommon to experience typhoons and storms, which may result in cruise cancellations or delays.
May and September are considered the low season, so many cruise ships offer significant discounts during this time. It is possible to save as much as 40% on a cruise.
SHOPPING NEAR THE HANOI (HALONG BAY) CRUISE PORT
On a Hanoi cruise, you’ll find that shopping opportunities in Halong Bay area aren’t highly developed yet, but small ships float along the bay selling snacks and sweets. The Bai Chay night market is the place to go for Vietnamese artisanal items and handmade goods, plus plenty of authentic Vietnamese street eats. Don’t forget that bargaining is part of the culture here, so stick to your guns to secure a good deal.
Tourists can easily find tax-free shops, restaurants, fast food stores, souvenir shops, etc. at the cruise port terminal. Pearl jewelry is a great gift or souvenir.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS
In Vietnam, the official currency is the dong, or VND. Tipping isn’t an expected practice in Vietnam, but leaving extra change for a taxi driver is welcome. Tour drivers rely on tip income, so be sure to tip any guide who helps you during your time on a Hanoi cruise. A general practice is to tip waiters and waitresses 5-10% at a restaurant. Bargaining is a central part of the culture in Vietnam, so you’re welcome to practice your haggling at the markets and shops here.