Halong bay or the bay of descent of dragons has been always a dream of tourists from all over the world. The exceptional beauty of Halong bay takes in large part on its submerged limestone formations: on an area of 1,553 km2, it has more than 2,000 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and entirely preserved from any human activity. The legendary bay also has several caves that are definitely worth a visit.
In the past, when the Chinese invaders wanted to attack the coasts of Vietnam, they sent hundreds of warships to this bay. Vietnamese people were often weaker than them. So, to help our people chase the enemy, the Jade Emperor (king of heaven) sent us the dragon father and his children. When they arrived, the dragons spat out thousands of pearls that suddenly petrified. Pearls became karst pitons which prevented Chinese boats. After the glorious victory, the dragons stayed at the bay and got married with Vietnamese women.
From January to end of February: Halong Bay is foggy due to humidity. The sky is quite gray and there is often drizzle
From March to end of May: the first good period for a trip to Halong: good weather, cool and sunny. The average temperature is 27°C; the sky is blue.
From June to end of September: storm season. It is often hot but beautiful except at times when tropical storms attack the coasts.
From October to end of November: the second good period. The weather is good, rather dry and the temperature never exceeds 30°C.
The bay is 150 km from Hanoi, 170 km from Ninh Binh and 200 km from Lang Son, so a two hour drive from Hanoi, three hours from Ninh Binh or Lang Son. The boat tour on Halong can easily be connected with some walks on Cat Ba Islands.
The boats are in Bai Chay, Tuan Chau or Hon Gai offer you several circuits on Halong. Every few hours, stop for a swim on a wild beach or a kayaking. You will pass hundreds of karst pitons in particular shape such as: human head, finger, turtle, dog, cat, pelican ... When night falls, boats anchor in a calm and picturesque anchorage. Seafood is served on board. Spending a night on Halong Bay is one of the essential and unforgetable experiences for a trip to Vietnam.
Three hours by boat from the piers, Titop Island is well frequented by travelers. This small mountain offers you a sublime beach with a 360° view. A staircase with 425 steps leads you to the summit where your view of the bay is magnificent.
From generation to generation, thousands of fishermen choose the liverlihood on water of Halong. They have built around 40 floating villages where they live with their families. During the day, they go everywhere for fishing. In the evening, the boats meet to watch TV together. Children go to school by boat; weddings are held on the water and the dead also rest at the edge of water.
4.4. Sung Sot cave
Sung Sot or Surprise cave is the first cave in Halong Bay in terms of its area: 12,000 m². This one was discovered in 1914 by foreign explorers and local fishermen. A staircase with a few steps leads you to a height of 100m where you have a beautiful view of the sea and inside, it is really a surprise: it offers beautiful underground spaces that are colored by lights.
A journey related to nature, biodiversity to discover the lush nature of Vietnam
The magic of Halong Bay, Tam Coc landscape, the old-fashioned charm of the streets
From Halong Bay to the Mekong coconut jungles, from craftsmen to the imperi
A long week in northern Tonkin with short walks through hamlets