Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination in Vietnam’s Qung Ninh Province. The bay is administratively part of Ha Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and Van n District. Hundreds of limestone karsts and islands of various shapes and sizes inhabit the Gulf. Ha Long Bay is situated in the center of a larger region that also includes Bái Tử Long Bay and Cát Bà Island. These larger regions share similar geological, topographical, geomorphological, climatic, and cultural features.
Ha Long Bay encompasses around 1,553 km2 and contains 1,960–2,000 islands, the most of which are composed of limestone. The heart of the bay spans 334 km2 with a significant concentration of 775 islands. This bay’s limestone was created over a period of 500 million years under diverse conditions and habitats. This bay’s karst has developed over 20 million years due to the tropically moist atmosphere. A tropical evergreen biosystem, an oceanic biosystem, and a seashore biosystem are examples of the biodiversity resulting from the geodiversity of the region’s environment. H Long Bay is home to fourteen endemic plant species and sixty endemic animal species.
Numerous tens of thousands of years ago, human ancestors inhabited this region, according to historical study studies. The Soi Nh civilization existed between 18,000 and 7,000 BCE, the Cái Bèo culture existed between 7,000 and 5,000 BCE, and the Ha Long culture existed between 5,000 and 3,500 BCE. Numerous artifacts recovered at Bài Th Mountain, u G Cave, and Bai Cháy attest to the significance of Ha Long Bay to the history of Vietnam.
500 years ago, Nguyễn Trãi praised the magnificence of Ha Long Bay in his poem verseLộ nhập Vân Đồn, describing it as a “rock marvel in the sky.” In 1962, Ha Long Bay was included in the National Relics and Landscapes book compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of North Vietnam. UNESCO declared the core zone of Ha Long Bay as a World Heritage Site in 1994 based on criterion vii and re-designated it in 2005 based on criterion viii.
For many, Ha Long Bay’s seascape is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises sail through emerald-green waters dotted with tens of thousands of craggy islands and islets, stopping at stunning caverns where passengers may explore and witness impressive, centuries-old geological structures. The magical beauty of Ha Long Bay has made it a national must-see, but it is still feasible to locate private spots to call your own.
Ha Long Bay’s beauty is one of the most notable aspects contributing to the city’s fame. The bay has a surface size of 1,553 square kilometers and is comprised of 1,900 large and tiny islands of colorful limestone. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam has been designated by UNESCO as a natural wonder of the world multiple times and is considered a once-in-a-lifetime destination.
Tourism In Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay (also known as “Halong Bay”) is situated 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of Hanoi in northern Vietnam. The bay is frequently included on lists of the world’s natural treasures, including the UNESCO World Heritage list, because to its breathtaking ocean karst terrain.
The archipelago of Ha Long Bay contains 1,969 inhabited and uninhabited islands. Cat Ba may be be accessible by vehicle, motorbike, bus (through Haiphong), or bus/boat combo (from Hanoi via Halong City).
Sightseeing In Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a must-see destination for all travelers that visit the S-shaped country of Vietnam to discover its hidden beauty. This world heritage site has been internationally famous for a very long time due to the harmonic blend of variously sculpted limestone islands, vast ocean, and vast sky. This generates a spectacular and one-of-a-kind artwork of nature that attracts a large number of tourists from throughout the world.
If you have previously visited Phang Nga bay, a famous Thai environment, and were captivated by the combination of the steep limestone cliff and the emerald green lake, you may be even more astonished with Ha Long. Your perspective will be enlarged by nature’s towering framework, which includes various grottos filled with exquisite stalactites that give a multitude of surprises and amazing memories.
Cultural Tourism In Ha Long Bay
In addition to providing tourists with a golden opportunity to enjoy natural beauty, Ha Long entices visitors by allowing them to investigate the cultural values of its indigenous culture. On recent years, homestays and visits to fishing villages in the bay have become increasingly popular among tourists, especially those from abroad. Cua Van or Vong Vieng have often been popular sites on homestay tours of Ha Long offered by a number of tourist organizations.
It can be argued that the smiles of the cheerful and kind natives in these settlements give visitors a favorable first impression. One can gain insight into the daily lives of the people by learning how to cast and haul a fish net and catch fish like a genuine fisherman. Moreover, participation in other engaging activities, such as “Vong Vieng night,” undoubtedly aids tourists in gaining a deeper understanding of the native culture. Also, resting on a coracle while listening to affectionate folkloric tunes or fishing and catching cuttlefish at night is extremely quiet and pleasant.
Spiritual Tourism In Ha Long Bay
Ha Long (Descending Dragon) is the term intimately associated with the long-standing legends that create a spiritual aura for the country. Moreover, this country is renowned as the birthplace of Truc Lam Zen, a distinct form of Vietnamese Buddhism developed by King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century. Many people visit Ha Long not only to admire the bay’s magnificent beauty, but also to seek inner calm and purification.
Yen Tu, a combination of towering mountains and ancient religious architecture, is another well-known spiritual destination of Ha Long. This location is most congested during the Vietnamese pagoda pilgrimage season and the yearly Yen Tu festival, which takes place between lunar 10th January and the end of March. A visit to pagodas at the beginning of the year for good fortune and the appreciation of spring’s lovely landscape and pleasant climate are significant aspects of Vietnamese culture. It would be fantastic if this time foreign tourists could visit Yen Tu and celebrate with the residents.
There is a notion that one’s wishes will be granted if he or she ascends to the Dong pagoda at the summit of Yen Tu Mountain. Whether you get the opportunity to visit Ha Long, you should attempt to conquer the mountain and see if your desires come true.
Ha Long Bay - Introduction
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Ha Long Bay Travel Guide
Best time to visit Ha Long Bay
From April to June: This is the perfect moment to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life on your Ha Long tour. The weather is now mild and largely sunny. Therefore, it is ideal for sight-seeing or sunbathing with the family on some gorgeous beaches.
From June to August:This is the peak season, so many families with children are flocking to this city for summer vacation. As a result, both the number of tourists and the cost of accommodations and services grow.
From late November: Ha Long Bay in Vietnam welcomes a considerable number of foreign tourists throughout this season. It is significantly less crowded than during the high season, so you can enjoy Ha Long’s tourism in the most private manner.
How To Travel To Ha Long Bay
You can take a minibus from Gia Lam bus terminal in Hanoi. The trip, which costs 90,000 dong and takes around four hours, will pick up people along the way. In the summer, the air conditioning is inadequate, so be prepared to perspire. It is not a pleasant voyage for larger tourists, but it is a real Vietnamese experience.
The overwhelming majority of tourists go on tours. This involves taking a shuttle bus from their hotel or an agent in central Hanoi to a mafia-controlled port in Halong that mostly transports passengers to Cat Ba Island. This provides the fewest options, but is a convenient solution for travellers with limited time.
How To Travel Around Ha Long Bay
A cab ride around Halong Bay is an useful solution. There are plenty of cabs available to take you to the dock, the airport, or pretty much anywhere you want to go. Because taxi drivers are usually locals, they may be able to give you some travel advice!
While taking a taxi is convenient, it does not provide the same level of flexibility as private transportation. There are several rental locations throughout town, but the safest and easiest method to hire a bike or automobile is always at the hotel where you are staying.
The vehicle is a convenient and pleasant mode of transportation. A day’s car rental should cost between 800.000 and 1.200.000 VND ($40 to $60 USD).
Beaches In Ha Long Bay
Tuan Chau Beach is one of the handful of artificial beaches in Halong Bay. Due to its ideal location on Tuan Chau Island, an established tourist area, it is crowded with foreign and local tourists throughout the year. The beach is beautiful and well-equipped for a variety of beach activities, including jet-skiing, kayaking, and fishing.
Halong Bay’s Ngoc Vung Beach, located to the south of Ngoc Vung Island, is an unspoilt bit of paradise. The beach is immaculate, with white sands and beautiful water. At Ngoc Vung, guests can sunbathe, swim, and appreciate the picturesque surroundings. Guests who desire a more active activity have the option of cycling around the island, away from the beach.
Attractions & Things To See
The 214-hectare Sun World Halong Park welcomes visitors to embark on an everlasting voyage of happiness. This world-class amusement complex is most well-known for its Coastal Amusement Park on Bai Chay Beach and its Amusement Park on Ba Deo Hill, which features the Queen Cable Car & Mystic Mountain, Dragon Park, and Typhoon Water Park.
Cai Dam Market is a traditional Quang Ninh Province seafood market that is situated on Tien Ong Street, Bai Chay, in the heart of Halong City. Cai Dam Market occupies a wide space of over 4000 square meters. The entire structure consists of six floors and is open 24 hours a day.
Cat Ba Island is the most popular destination in Ha Long Bay, and all tour companies provide trips there.
Food & Restaurants In Ha Long Bay
Cua Vàng Bãi Cháy – This is a great seafood restaurant in Halong City’s Bai Chay neighborhood. The cuisine is fresh, the service is superb, and the ambiance is lively and welcoming. You can choose your seafood, especially your shellfish, from one of the water tanks located throughout the restaurant before it is cooked completely fresh.
Avocado Restaurant – Go to Avocado Restaurant if you want a casual atmosphere and delicious food. This is a cozy restaurant with an open kitchen where the meals are ample and the service is prompt and courteous. The menu features a variety of European and Vietnamese dishes. Both the food and the restaurant’s atmosphere are tastefully adorned…
Shopping In Ha Long Bay
Halong Market is located in the heart of Halong City, conveniently near to a newly constructed dock at the time of writing. As is typical of markets, it is filled of stalls staffed by individuals attempting to make their daily living. Expect to find fresh seafood and meat in addition to textiles, fruits, and flowers. The Halong Market is an excellent location for strolling and bargain hunting. Be sure to negotiate whenever possible!
The shopping experience at Vincom Plaza is more opulent. This enormous shopping area features both international and Vietnamese goods. There are restrooms, banks, ATMs, and coffee shops like Highlands. Prices will be significantly higher than at outdoor markets, but visitors can easily spend an entire day perusing the shops and eating at the food court.
Festivals In Ha Long Bay
The Quan Lan Festival is held from the 10th to the 20th of the sixth lunar month in Quan Lan, Van Don, Quang Ninh to honor Tran Khanh Du, a notable Tran dynasty general. In a word, the Quan Lan Festival is an opportunity for people to not only honor Tran Khanh Du for his triumph over the Nguyen Mong army in 1288, but also pray for a plentiful harvest.
The phrase “Carnival” conjures up images of sultry, bikini-clad women dancing to pulsating music in a paradisiacal, tropical Brazil. However, few are aware that another Carnival is celebrated yearly in Ha Long Bay, one of the seven great world natural heritage sites in Vietnam, with thousands of participants from several Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea, and the Philippines.
