The Ultimate Travel Guide to Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) – Updated

Sep 8, 2025

About 160 km from Hanoi, Ha Long City in Quang Ninh Province is a famous tourist destination not only in the North, across the country, but also worldwide. Ha Long has a bay, world heritage sites, diverse tourism activities, and delicious food…

 

When is Ha Long the most beautiful?

Ha Long City is located in the North, so the climate has four seasons. From April to June, the weather is warm with no rain; from June to August, it is hot and may have storms; from September to December, the weather gradually cools down and becomes colder. Each season here has its own charm: in summer, you can swim and sunbathe, while in spring and autumn, the cooler weather is suitable to enjoy a less crowded Ha Long, join outdoor activities, and explore entertainment complexes. The peak season is from June to August, when the city is crowded, especially on weekends.

Transportation

From Hanoi, travelers can choose many means of transport. Besides private cars, there are Limousine services with door-to-door pickup upon request (Phuc Xuyen, Van Don Xanh, Ha Long Travel…) with ticket prices of 180,000 – 220,000 VND per person. You can also take coaches from Hanoi’s bus stations. Ticket prices are about 150,000 – 200,000 VND per person.

The most ideal route is the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long expressway. The road is beautiful, but you need to pay attention to traffic signs, drive at the correct speed, turn on signals when changing lanes, and always fasten your seatbelt. Travel time is about 2.5 – 3 hours.

Quang Ninh also has Van Don Airport. Therefore, from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, travelers can fly directly to Quang Ninh, then travel by road about 50 km from the airport to Ha Long City. There are shuttle buses from the airport to the city center.

In Ha Long, if you don’t have a private vehicle, you can rent a motorbike for 120,000 – 200,000 VND/day. For families, groups of friends, or colleagues, it is better to hire a taxi (Mai Linh, Thanh Hung, Thinh Hung…), book Grab (bike or car), or rent a private car.

Hotels and homestays

Accommodation in Ha Long is very diverse, including budget hotels, resorts, homestays, guesthouses, or cruises ranging from luxury to affordable. Prices range from a few hundred thousand to several million VND.

Ha Long City is divided into two areas: Bai Chay and Hon Gai, separated by Bai Chay Bridge. Bai Chay has many tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, while Hon Gai is mainly residential.

If you prefer comfortable homestays with affordable prices, you can consider The Bay, Halong Ginger, Orestay, Deja Vu House… For higher-end options, you can stay at FLC Grand Hotel on Van Nghe Hill, Wyndham Legend Halong, Novotel, Sai Gon Ha Long, Muong Thanh system, Royal Lotus… The 5-star resorts include Vinpearl Resort and Spa, Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort…

You can book rooms through many channels: booking websites (Agoda, Booking, iVivu…), directly with the hotel, or through travel agencies.

Things to do

Explore Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site with breathtaking natural beauty that captivates both domestic and international visitors. The bay has thousands of limestone islands of various shapes scattered across the water, creating a majestic landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. A popular option is to take a sightseeing boat, passing famous spots like Fighting Cock Islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Titop Island.

For the most complete experience, you should stay overnight on a cruise. You will enjoy the quiet space, fresh air while sailing in calm waters with little wind or waves.

There are many cruise operators in Ha Long, ranging from 1 to 5 stars, such as Heritage Cruises, Paradise Cruise, Stellar of the Seas, Indochine, Scarlet Pearl Cruises, Orchid, Starlight Ha Long, Dragon Legend… If you travel with a small group or family, packaged tours are convenient. For larger families or groups, chartering a private boat with Kim’s Travel may be a suitable choice.

On these “floating hotels,” guests can enjoy luxury meals, swim in open-air pools, and admire the bay at night. Some overnight cruises also offer activities like morning Tai Chi, swimming, kayaking, night squid fishing, visiting fishing villages, pearl farms, and cooking classes.

Sightseeing from above

In Ha Long, besides cruises or bamboo boats, you can also admire the bay from above by helicopter or seaplane. These options provide a unique perspective of the entire bay.

With Halong Heli Tours, you can choose sightseeing flights of 12 minutes, 25 minutes, or 40 minutes, priced from 1.9 to 5.4 million VND/person, flying over Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Reu Island, Bai Tu Long… With Hai Au Aviation seaplanes, the 25-minute scenic flight costs about 1.5 million VND/person.

Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chay Beach, an artificial beach located behind Sun World Park, has been expanded nearly 1 km out to sea. It is spacious, clean, and suitable for group games, swimming, sunbathing, or watching the sunrise. Public services such as showers, changing rooms, and restrooms are available at 20,000 VND per use.

In addition to Bai Chay, Ha Long also has many other beautiful beaches to explore, such as on Titop Island, Marina Bay Ha Long, Ba Trai Dao, or beaches in Tuan Chau and Sun World.

Bai Tho Mountain

Bai Tho Mountain is 200 meters high and considered a great viewpoint overlooking Ha Long Bay and the city. Originally named Truyen Dang (Lighting Lamp) for its strategic role in guiding ships from thousands of years ago, it was renamed Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain in 1468 when King Le Thanh Tong inscribed a poem on the cliff. Today, it is a famous tourist attraction in Quang Ninh.

The path up Bai Tho Mountain is hidden in a small alley in Hang Noi Street, Bach Dang Ward, so not everyone knows it. Visitors often go with local friends, or you can ask residents for directions if you want to climb by yourself.

Note: Check with local authorities before planning to climb Bai Tho Mountain, as access is sometimes restricted due to safety concerns.

Quang Ninh Museum and Library

Located on Tran Quoc Nghien Street, Tuan Chau, the museum is open from 8:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 17:00 every day except Monday. Entrance fee is 30,000 VND for adults, 20,000 VND for students, and 10,000 VND for children.

The museum includes:

  • 1st floor: natural sea space
  • 2nd floor: historical relics and artifacts
  • 3rd floor: recreation of the coal mining industry in a lively mine model

3D Funny Art Museum

This is an interesting check-in spot with more than 40 paintings on themes such as animals, adventure, and fantasy. Ticket price is 80,000 VND/person. It is located inside Marine Plaza Shopping Center, open from 9:00 – 22:00.

Tuan Chau Park

Located on Tuan Chau Island, this amusement park has a wide range of activities such as fairy train, slides, roller coaster, UFO, swing ride… Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00. Entrance fee is 350,000 VND/person, free for children under 1m. Dolphin or water music shows cost 100,000 VND for adults and 60,000 VND for children.

Tran Quoc Nghien Coastal Road

Located in Hon Gai, this coastal road is 4.7 km long, starting from Bai Tho Bridge and ending at the Ha Long – Cam Pha coastal road. Opened in May 2020, it features spacious seaside promenades, ideal for walking, exercising, enjoying bay views, and includes playgrounds, parking lots, beaches, and sports facilities.

Sun World Park

One of the largest amusement parks in Vietnam, covering 214 hectares. Besides the beach, visitors can enjoy Typhoon Water Park, Dragon Park, check-in at the famous Koi Bridge, visit Bao Hai Linh Thong Pagoda, explore the Japanese Garden, wax museum, or the Upside Down House.

The park has two complexes: seaside and Ba Deo Mountain. Highlights include the Queen Cable Car and Mystic Mountain area with tickets from 250,000 – 350,000 VND/person. Dragon Park tickets are 200,000 – 300,000 VND/person for unlimited rides. Typhoon Water Park tickets are 350,000 VND/person.

Bai Chay Old Quarter

Located on Ha Long Street, Bai Chay, this is a perfect check-in spot for visitors who love photography. Free entrance.

Ha Long Night Market

A paradise for shopping and dining at night, located on Ha Long Marine Boulevard, Bai Chay, open from 18:00 – 24:00. The market has hundreds of stalls selling souvenirs, specialties, snacks, jewelry, and clothing.

What to eat

Most famous dishes in Ha Long are made from seafood such as horseshoe crab, mantis shrimp, peanut worm, clams, shrimp, crab, fish, squid… Seafood noodle dishes are especially popular.

  • Mantis shrimp noodle soup (Bun be be): A common breakfast and lunch dish. Mantis shrimp has firm, sweet, and nutritious meat. A bowl costs about 30,000 – 40,000 VND.
  • Horse crab noodle soup (Bun cu ky): Unique to Quang Ninh. The meat is sweet and different from crab. A bowl is served with crab claws and costs around 30,000 – 50,000 VND.
  • Eggs and blood pudding stewed with mugwort: A nutritious afternoon snack costing only 10,000 – 20,000 VND per portion. Best found at Cot 3 Market, Ha Long 1 or 2 Markets.
  • Rice rolls with squid patties (Banh cuon cha muc): A famous specialty of Ha Long, available any time of day. Famous places: Ba Ngan, Ba Yen, Goc Bang, or local markets. Price: 30,000 – 55,000 VND.
  • Horseshoe crab (Sam): Cooked into many dishes such as sweet and sour stir-fry, patties, or eggs. However, it may cause allergies, so eat with caution. Famous places: Sam Ba Ty (Ngo 6 Cao Thang), Sam Quang Yen, or the evening food court at Ha Long 1 Market.
  • Stir-fried snails: A popular local street food, priced around 35,000 VND/plate. Best enjoyed at street stalls with sauces such as soy, lemongrass, tamarind, or coconut.
  • Pearl yogurt (Sua chua tran chau): A must-try dessert. This yogurt with chewy pearls is a specialty of Ha Long, priced 10,000 – 30,000 VND/portion. Famous shops: Co Nghi, Tuan Lien, Co Phuong.

Other local foods include “bánh gật gù,” Quang Yen fermented pork, Hoanh Bo sticky rice wine, grilled pork rolls, duck eggs, clam porridge… “Che buoi Co Huyen” (pomelo sweet soup) is also recommended, sold only from 10:00 – 17:00.

Restaurants

For fresh seafood, you can go to Cai Dam Market, Vuon Dao area, Ben Doan, floating restaurants, or enjoy set meals on cruises (about 200,000 VND/person).

Some good restaurants in Bai Chay: Hong Hanh, Phuong Nam, Cua Vang, Phuong Thuy, Yen Oc (Cai Dam area). In Hon Gai: Sam Ba Ty (Coc 5), Huong Duyen, Bao Nghia rice, Lan Huong, Bang Lang… Other suggestions: Gieng Don food street, Phu Lam near Cienco 5 fishing village. For a more local dining experience, visit Quang Yen, Thong Nhat Commune, Hoanh Bo District. Outdoor beer gardens include Khai Huong Garden, Cuong Ca… along the coast.

Ha Long also has many cafes with unique and beautiful views. Suggested places: Sky Bar, Cam Cafe, 1990 Coffee House, Old Town Cafe, Thong Zeo 9000…

Note: Always choose restaurants with clear price listings or ask about prices before ordering. On weekends, it’s best to reserve a table or visit outside peak hours.

What to buy as souvenirs

Dried seafood such as sun-dried squid, dried fish, dried shrimp, hand-pounded squid cakes, as well as handicrafts made from seashells or coal are popular souvenirs from Ha Long. The easiest places to buy are Ha Long Night Market, Cai Dam Market, and traditional seafood shops.