Top 10 must-do things for tourists in Halong Bay

About Vietnam tourism, it can’t be a lack of Halong Bay - the Natural Heritage of the world. Besides the breathtaking scenery, the bay also attracts tourists by a lot of fascinating things to do.

To have a more lively imagination, take a look first at this infographic.

It'll list all the most exciting experiences you'll surely want to join.

Here is the more in-depth relating information which will help you attain a wonderful vacation in Halong Bay.

Go kayaking to explore Halong Bay

It can be said that kayaking is one of the most popular activities for tourists when coming to Halong Bay. It was once voted by National Geographic magazine as one of the topo 25 kayaking destinations in the world. Wanderlust travel magazine also assessed that Vietnam is the top spot for kayak lovers.

Participating in kayaking, visitors are immersed in the sea, the cool blue water while rowing boat weaving into the caves to explore countless stalactites that endowed with many pictures of strange enemies.

Especially when kayaks go into the low caves, you will have to use your hands to cling to the top of the cave and push the boat in. Sometimes you will have to lie down on the boat to be able to go through the cave. kayaking is a quite dangerous sport for those who do not know how to swim. 

However, to feel all the majestic beauty of Halong Bay and discover the beautiful cliff, visitors should not miss this opportunity. You can paddle alone or accompany your friends to explore Halong Bay on your own.

To experience kayaking, you can join the day tour, but if you want to have more wonderful experiences and visit more beautiful places such as Luon Cave, Soi Sim, Bright and Dark Cave, Ba Trai Dao Island, or Lan Ha Bay ... visitors should join the overnight cruise tour on the bay. Most cruise ships are equipped with kayaks for tourists to self-explore tours in beautiful in safe areas and locations.

Stay overnight on cruise ships

Halong bay cruise ship

There is no doubt that taking an overnight cruise tour is one of the best ways to fully admire the beauty of Halong Bay. In Halong, there are a lot of top cruises for sleeping on the bay. Of course, if you do not have much time, you can take a day tour. However, Halong Bay at night becomes more sparkling.

Taking an overnight cruise tour also means you will have more chance to participate in more activities. 

For those who are into water-based activities, you will not miss kayaking, swimming, or snorkeling. 

A lot of cruise ships offer Tai Chi exercise in which you wake up early in the morning to enjoy the fresh air of the bay and do some warm-up activities before starting a new day of exploration. 

Cooking class is an exciting activity to learn more about the culinary culture of Vietnam, and also you have the chance to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese food. 

Visit the floating fishing villages

Want to feel the local life simple and deep, to visit the small fishing villages scattered across Halong Bay is the choice for you. Floating villages are made up of small, tent-like houses nestled between the islands in the bay. The people living here are fishermen, usually, they will be selling some items. This will be an experience of a peaceful and relaxing Ha Long tour. Some cruise tours include visiting floating villages and meeting people.

While you are here, remember to try some seafood here as well. Refer to Must-try seafoods in Halong Bay for more Information.

Floating village in Halong Bay

Visit the pearl village

It is said that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a mighty dragon, decorated the sea surface by releasing rare gems. This legend also refers to mysterious treasures that can be found in the bay. A floating village on the beach is called "Pearl Village" - a place where visitors prefer to shop or learn about the wonders that nature should not miss. Visit the pearl village to find out how the pearls are made, visit farms, museums and even buy some pearl jewelry to take home.

Visit the floating fishing villages

Want to feel the local life simple and deep, to visit the small fishing villages scattered across Halong Bay is the choice for you. Floating villages are made up of small, tent-like houses nestled between the islands in the bay. The people living here are fishermen, usually, they will be selling some items. This will be an experience of a peaceful and relaxing Ha Long tour. Some cruise tours include visiting floating villages and meeting people.

While you are here, remember to try some seafood here as well. Refer to Must-try seafoods in Halong Bay for more Information.

Floating village in Halong Bay

Visit the pearl village

It is said that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a mighty dragon, decorated the sea surface by releasing rare gems. This legend also refers to mysterious treasures that can be found in the bay. A floating village on the beach is called "Pearl Village" - a place where visitors prefer to shop or learn about the wonders that nature should not miss. Visit the pearl village to find out how the pearls are made, visit farms, museums and even buy some pearl jewelry to take home.

Go squid fishing at night

Halong not only has mysterious unspoiled nature but the people here are very gentle. They live in the scattered fishing villages in the bay such as Vung Vieng fishing villages, Cua Van fishing villages or Ba Hang fishing village. Their daily life creates a very peaceful space, a unique culture of Halong Bay.

Spending an entire evening in fishing villages, visitors can travel by rustic boat, immerse themselves in a quiet and peaceful space, admire the majestic natural scenery and learn about the cultural life of fishermen or learn how to row. However, the most favorite experience of visitors here is squid fishing with fishermen then enjoy the dishes made from which you have caught.

Night squid fishing in Halong Bay

Experience giant cable car

The Queen's cable car is made with the advice and design of two world-famous designers, Doppelmayr (Austria) and Garaventa (Switzerland). The cable is 2,222 m long with 2 cable columns. Unlike previous cable car systems, the Queen consists of only 2 cabins with a transport capacity of about 2,000 passengers per hour.

Experience the Queen cable car, you will cross Cua Luc bay, from Bai Chay beach to Ba Deo mountain (Hon Gai). This work has received two Guinness world records: the largest cabin (230 people/cabin) and the cable with the highest cable head over the ground (T1 cable tower 188.88 m high).

Discover stunning cave

Halong Bay is considered as a perfect picture of nature. And in this picture, besides "water and rocks" as many people often say, there are also beautiful and unique caves.

Thien Cung Cave: It is located in the southwest of Halong Bay, about 4 km from the tourist port on Dau Go Island at the altitude of 25 m above sea level. The road to Thien Cung cave is craggy cliffs and covered with trees. Through a narrow gap in the cave suddenly opens up space above a quadrilateral surface with a length of 130 m.

Dau Go Cave: When setting foot in the cave, visitors are surprised by the ancient pristine and extremely attractive beauty.

Dau Go Cave is divided into three main compartments. But the most special one is the second compartment like flowers of colorful marble alternating.

The outer compartment is arched with a giant oil painting depicting the pristine natural landscape with stalagmites and stalactites on the ceiling. At the end of the cave is a fairy well with water flowing all year round. 

Halong Bay Cave

Climb on mountains

Not only intrigued by charming beauty, but Halong Bay with diverse and dangerous terrain is also a challenge for tourists who are into mountain climbing. Even the athletes affirmed that Halong Bay is a paradise of interesting mountain climbing because it owns thousands of islands, and hundreds of climbing points.

After kayaking to the mountains, visitors will conquer the steep cliffs and then jump down when the mountain ends. This sports activity is quite safe provided that climbers have to swim quite well and observe the falling point before implementation.

Normally, visitors are recommended to climb only about 30 m for training or entertainment purposes. If you want to go higher or in dangerous areas, they must use belts to ensure safety. If you are a fan of this extreme sport, surely the thorny cliffs and the magnificent corners of the mountains in Halong Bay will give you a desire feeling to conquer.

Climbing in Halong Bay

 

Discover Halong undersea world

If you are into exploring the undersea world then snorkeling will satisfy your desire. Taking part in this activity, you will have the chance to see colorful coral reefs and diverse sea creatures. 

The best time to do snorkeling in Halong Bay is in December when the sea temperature is warm enough, about 26 degrees Celsius. 

The most ideal spots for snorkeling in Halong Bay are the areas near Cong Gio Island, Van Gio Island, Trai Cave and Cat Ba Island. 

If you book a cruise tour, the cruise operator will provide you with the necessary equipment. You can also find some local companies providing scuba diving training if you’re keen on going beyond snorkeling. 

Some cruises that offer this activity include Aclass Legend Cruise, Halong Phoenix Cruise, Golden Phoenix Cruise, and Emperor cruise.

Admiring the view of the bay from a seaplane

Seaplane in Halong

If you have ever admired the beauty of Halong Bay on the cruise but still not satisfied, why don't you experience watching Halong Bay from a seaplane?

Currently, in Vietnam, Hai Au Aviation is the first private airline to provide seaplane services with high-class sightseeing flights. This type of business has flourished in the world but it is still quite new in Vietnam.

Not only help passengers save time when traveling to famous tourist destinations, but seaplanes also offer beautiful views of the scenic spots.

The aircraft has 2 seats for pilots, 12 seats for passengers and spacious windows, allowing passengers to comfortably enjoy the beautiful view from the plane and experience memorable moments of Halong Bay from height from 150 to 3,000 m above sea level.

Looking down from the seaplane, the whole view of Halong Bay with nearly 2,000 large and small islands appears vividly and magically undulating on the beautiful emerald-green seawater.