About Ha Long Bay

“Covering an area of 65,650 ha and including 1,133 islands and islets, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is located in the Northeast of Viet Nam, within Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City. Comprised of a multitude of limestone islands of islets rising from the sea, in a variety of sizes and shapes and presenting picturesque, unspoiled nature, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is a spectacular seascape sculpted by nature. As the most extensive and best known example of marine - invaded tower karst, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago is one of the world’s mots important areas of fengcong (clusters of conical peaks) and fenglin (isolated tower features) karst. Additionally, the exceptionally beautiful landscape is also dominated by the typical ecosystems.”

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The name Ha Long means “descending dragon”. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long city, Cẩm Phả city, and is a part of Vân Đồn district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes. Hạ Long Bay is a center of a larger zone that includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà Island to the southwest. These larger zones share a similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characters.

Hạ Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km2 (600 sq mi), including 1,969 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 (129 sq mi) with a high density of 775 islets. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. The geo-diversity of the environment in the area has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen biosystem and a seashore biosystem. Hạ Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.

Top things to do in Ha Long Bay

Cruise the bay

Nothing beats spending watching the sun set over the calm waters of Ha Long Bay, and waking up to a serene morning surrounded by karsts. Relaxing on a sun deck surrounded by magnificent panoramas is the highlight of many a trip.

Take a scenic flight over the bay

From water level, the islands are impressive, with their unique formations and imaginative names like Fighting Cock, Calf’s Head, Stone Dog and Incense Burner (featured on the back of the Vietnamese 200,000d note). However, for a completely different perspective, take to the skies on a 25-minute scenic seaplane flight and the islands start looking more like mini mountain ranges snaking through the sea. The water landings and take-offs alone are almost worth the money.

Explore a floating village

Ha Long Bay is not just a UNESCO-listed site, it’s also home to a number of fishing communities who have lived on the water for centuries. Take a boat tour around a floating village for a glimpse of this rare and beautiful way of life.

Paddle out in a kayak

Even if you’re not an experienced kayaker, you can’t miss the chance to navigate your way around Ha Long’s gorgeous seascape. Just before sunset is an ideal time to kayak to see quiet lagoons and fishing boats up close.

Spelunking in Sung Sot, Me Cung, and Thien Cung Caves

Beneath their rocks and jungled exteriors, many of Ha Long’s ancient karsts have been carved out by rain and water currents. Take a look inside these geological wonders on foot — some are a squeeze while others are enormous.

Things to do in Ha Long City

Get a bird’s eye view of Halong on a cable car ride

Alternatively, the Queen Cable Car is a great way to get panoramic views of Halong Bay and Halong City from above. Part of the Sun World Halong complex, the cable car can fit a record-breaking 230 passengers per cabin and travels between the two halves of Halong City, with Sun World’s Amusement Complex on one side and Ba Deo Hill on the other, with lots of outdoor games and theme park activities on either end.

Explore Halong City

More than the gateway to Halong Bay, Halong City has its fair share of tourist attractions. Hike up to the 200m-high (656 ft) viewpoint on Bai Tho Mountain for sweeping views. Originally called Truyen Dang (meaning “lightning”), the mountain was home to an important guard post of the Northeast gate thousands of years ago, whose task was to light the way for boats on the bay.

Families will enjoy the Sun World Halong theme park, with games, roller coasters, a ferris wheel, and one of the largest water parks in Southeast Asia. There’s also the excellent Quang Ninh Museum and Library, designed by Spanish architect Salvador Perez Arroyo, and a fun night market inside the Halong Marine Plaza.

Japanese-style Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

The Japanese-style Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is about 15 minutes from Halong. Surrounded by mountains and forests, this onsen is known for its natural, mineral-rich water.

Inspired by the abundant energy and the symbol of the sun’s goodness (Yoko - 陽光 - Sunshine), Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is the first Japanese standard hot mineral bath resort developed by Sun Group in the Cam Pha city, Quang Ninh Province.

Close to the magnificent mountain cliffs, located close to the sea and surrounded by natural beauty, Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh converges all the elements to make a perfect hot springs resort: