1. Choosing the time to visit Ha Long
2. Choosing the mode of transportation to Ha Long
3. Choosing a hotel in Ha Long
4. Choose a resort in Ha Long
5. Choosing tourist attractions in Ha Long
6. Choosing activities in Ha Long
7. Choosing dishes and restaurants in Ha Long
1. Choosing the time to visit Ha Long
To have a complete travel experience to Ha Long, the ideal time is from April to June, or from September to November:
April – June: This is summer in Ha Long, the weather is warm, the climate is cool, suitable for cruising on the bay, swimming, and participating in outdoor activities. You can also admire the beautiful landscapes of Ha Long Bay, with its islands, caves, and famous fishing villages.
September – November: This is autumn in Ha Long, the weather is cool, sunny, less rainy, bringing a romantic and poetic atmosphere. You can enjoy the sunset and sunrise on the bay, as well as visit spiritual tourist spots such as Yen Tu Pagoda, Ba Vang Pagoda, or Cua Ong Temple.
2. Choosing the mode of transportation to Ha Long
To get to Ha Long, you can choose from various means of transportation depending on your needs, time, and budget. Here are the popular ways to get to Ha Long:
Airplane: This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Ha Long from far provinces (or from abroad). You can book a flight to Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh) or Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong) and then take a bus or taxi to Ha Long. The flight time is about 2 hours, and the ticket price ranges from 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND depending on the airline and flight time for domestic flights. But the price will be much higher if flying from another national airport to Van Don Airport.
Bus: This is a popular and economical means for tourists near Ha Long. You can catch a bus from major bus stations in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa… to Bai Chay or Cam Pha bus station in Ha Long. The travel time is about 3 – 4 hours, and the ticket price ranges from 100,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the route and quality of the bus.
Car: This is a flexible and free means for tourists who want to drive themselves or rent a car with a driver. You can go along the expressways Noi Bai – Ha Long, Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long, or National Highway 18. The travel time is about 2 – 3 hours, and the car rental price ranges from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND/day depending on the type of car and service.
Motorcycle: This is an adventurous and adventurous means for tourists who like to explore and experience. You can go along routes such as National Highway 5, National Highway 18, or Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long expressway. The travel time is about 4 – 5 hours, and the motorcycle rental price ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 VND/day depending on the type of motorcycle and rental time.
3. Choosing a hotel in Ha Long
To have the best experiences and convenient travel to tourist spots as well as easily participate in activities in Ha Long, here are some experiences you can refer to:
You should choose a hotel in the Bai Chay area, as this is the center of Ha Long, close to tourist spots such as Ha Long Bay, Sunworld Halong Park, Quang Ninh Dolphin Palace, Ha Long Market… You can also easily travel to further islands such as Co To, Cat Ba, Tuan Chau by boat or ferry. You can choose from many luxury hotels such as Hotel Soleil Ha Long, Citadines Marina Halong, The Watson Premium HaLong Hotel, DeLaSea Ha Long Hotel, Wyndham Legend Halong, Muong Thanh Luxury Ha Long Residence, Muong Thanh Luxury Quang Ninh Hotel, Oakwood Ha Long,…
You should choose a hotel with full amenities, services, and good quality, so you can rest and relax after many days of traveling. You should also choose a hotel with a beautiful view, overlooking Ha Long Bay or the city, to admire the beautiful landscape of Ha Long. This is also an interesting way to explore the city and bay from afar or from above.
You should book a hotel room in Ha Long early, at least 2-3 weeks before going, to have more choices and better prices. You can book directly through the hotel’s website or phone number to “negotiate” discounts on prices. If you want quick and convenient, you can book rooms on reputable sites such as Agoda.com, Booking.com, Traveloka.com… Comparing hotel prices from different sites is a good way to get promotions or good deals.
You should refer to both good and bad reviews of hotels in Ha Long from people who have stayed there to have an accurate view of the quality and service of the hotel. These reviews can be viewed on reputable sites such as Tripadvisor.com, Agoda.com, Booking.com, Traveloka.com…
4. Choose a resort in Ha Long
Resorts always offer you wonderful experiences with top-notch amenities and services. Here are the best resorts in Ha Long that you can choose for a great experience, depending on your needs and preferences.
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: Rated 5 stars, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long is located on Reu Island, Bai Chay. With comfortable rooms and a prime view of the world heritage bay, this is a perfect choice for a resort vacation. Vinpearl also has a spa service, a luxurious restaurant, and a private beach.
D’Lioro Halong Hotel & Resort: Located on Hai Quan Street, Bai Chay, D’Lioro Halong Hotel & Resort offers a variety of rooms, from Hotel to Villa. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities and have free coffee. This resort is famous for its green space, swimming pool, and unique restaurant.
FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort: If you are a golf enthusiast, this is a great choice. This resort not only has a top-notch golf course but also has a swimming pool and other amenities for you to relax. FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort is famous for its unique architecture and professional service.
Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long: Located at Ngoc Chau, Tuan Chau Ward, Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long offers a green space, close to the sea, and has a swimming pool. This is a good choice for those who love relaxation and convenience. The resort also has a golf course, a restaurant, and other entertainment activities.
Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort: With a location near the sea, Premier Village Ha Long Bay Resort brings a peaceful space and enjoys a beautiful view of Ha Long Bay. The resort offers luxurious, comfortable experiences with top-notch amenities. The resort has separate villas, a restaurant, and a spa.
Royal Lotus Halong Resort & Villas: With a green space, Royal Lotus Halong Resort & Villas is an ideal place for you to enjoy a resort vacation. The rooms are luxuriously designed and have a beautiful view. The resort has a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving a variety of dishes.
5. Choosing tourist attractions in Ha Long
Ha Long has many famous and attractive tourist spots suitable for many visitors. Here are some suggestions for you to choose the attractions that suit your preferences, time, and budget:
If you want to explore the majestic beauty of Ha Long Bay, you should choose sightseeing spots on tourist boats, such as Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Ti Top Island, Cua Van Floating Village, Luon Cave, Trong Mai Islet, Bai Tu Long Bay… You will have the opportunity to admire the limestone islands, caves, beaches, and famous floating villages of Ha Long. You can also participate in many interesting activities such as cruising, kayaking, swimming, cave visiting, and more.
If you want to explore Ha Long city and experience the local life on land, you can visit Quang Ninh Museum, Quang Ninh Dolphin Palace, Quang Ninh Sea Boulevard, Bai Chay Beach or explore the neighborhoods of Ha Long… You will admire the romantic beauty of Ha Long at sunset and dawn. You can also visit cultural, entertainment, and shopping tourist spots…
If you want to explore spiritual tourism spots, you should choose attractions related to the history, culture, and beliefs of the people of Ha Long, such as Yen Tu Pagoda, Cai Bau Pagoda, Ba Vang Pagoda, Loi Am Pagoda, Hon Gai Church,… You will have the opportunity to learn more about the cultural and historical values of Ha Long. You can also pray, wish for luck, and feel the tranquility and peace.
6. Choosing activities in Ha Long
Ha Long is not only beautiful in terms of landscape but also offers many interesting and attractive activities for you to experience. You should try the following activities when visiting Ha Long:
Kayaking on Ha Long Bay: This is a wonderful way for you to explore caves, cliffs, small beaches, and get closer to nature. You can rent a kayak at the piers or cruises on Ha Long Bay with a price of about 100,000 – 200,000 VND/hour.
Swimming at the beautiful beaches of Ha Long: Ha Long has many beautiful, clear, and cool beaches such as: Bai Chay, Bai Tien, Bai Tuan Chau, Bai Ti Top… You can sunbathe, swim, play with sand, take photos or participate in underwater games such as surfing, diving, jet skiing…
Enjoying fresh seafood dishes of Ha Long: Ha Long is a paradise of seafood dishes, you can enjoy dishes such as: sa sung, tu hai, be be, clams, oysters, crabs, shrimp, squid, fish… You can eat at restaurants, eateries, night markets or on cruises on Ha Long Bay. The price depends on the type of seafood and the place of sale, but usually ranges from 100,000 – 500,000 VND/kg.
Participating in entertainment games at Ha Long Park: Ha Long Park is the largest amusement park in Vietnam, with many different areas such as: Dragon Park – amusement park with many high-speed roller coasters, Mystic Mountain – amusement park with cable car, mountain train, Typhoon Water Park – amusement park with water games, Queen Cable Car – the longest cable car in Vietnam, Sun Wheel – the highest ferris wheel in Vietnam… You can buy entrance tickets at the ticket counter or on the park’s website with a price from 200,000 – 400,000 VND/person.
Visiting historical and cultural relics of Ha Long: Ha Long also has many places of historical and cultural value such as: Quang Ninh Museum – where evidence of history, culture, science, nature of Quang Ninh is kept, Yen Tu Pagoda – where Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhism developed, Hon Gai Church – a unique and beautiful church, Ha Long Old Quarter – where the architecture and space of Hoi An Old Town are reproduced…
7. Choosing dishes and restaurants in Ha Long
When you visit Ha Long, you will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes and specialties of the sea region. To have the best culinary experience, here are some tips for choosing dishes and restaurants in Ha Long for you.
Some famous dishes in Ha Long that you should not miss are: Squid sausage, Sá sùng stir-fried with garlic chives, Squid sausage rice rolls, Stir-fried noodle with clam, Bun be be, Sea sam… These dishes all have the characteristic flavor of fresh seafood, prepared in the local style or combined with other ingredients to create unique and attractive dishes. In addition, you should also try the delicious fresh seafood dishes made from fresh squid, lobster, sea crab, sea cucumber, crab, and some characteristic fish dishes of Ha Long sea region.
When choosing a restaurant in Ha Long, you should pay attention to the location, space, price, quality, and freshness of the seafood. Some restaurants in Ha Long are highly rated by many tourists: Cua Vàng restaurant, Phuong Nam restaurant, Hoa Son restaurant, Lam Hai restaurant, Queen restaurant, Khai Huong restaurant, Hong Hanh restaurant… These restaurants have convenient locations, beautiful views, enthusiastic service, diverse menus, and reasonable prices.
In addition to traditional restaurants, you can also try modern restaurants or those with their own style in Ha Long, such as: Vietnam restaurant next to Bai Chay beach, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long restaurant system, Hutong Hotpot & BBQ, Village cuisine, Delicious rice Ha Long… These restaurants bring you different culinary experiences, from local dishes to European – Asian dishes, from popular dishes to luxurious dishes.
Ha Long is an attractive and famous tourist destination in Vietnam, with majestic natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. To have an interesting and economical trip, you should choose the time, means of transport, accommodation, cuisine, and activities that suit your needs and preferences. You should also learn about the things to note when traveling to Ha Long, such as safety, environmental protection, hygiene maintenance, and compliance with local regulations. Wish you have fun trips with family and friends.
