La Halong bay is Vietnam , one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. A destination for wealthier backpackers and tourists alike, it may not be the cheapest flight but the costs are undoubtedly offset by good and cheap hospitality.
Halong Bay it is in the north of the country, not far from the border with China and just 170 kilometers from Hanoi, another popular city with tourists. Since 2011 Halong Bay is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Let's find out!
Halong bay
The Bay occupies about 1500 square kilometers and it is a beautiful protected area under the label of World Heritaged since 1994. The coastline covers 120 kilometers and as the area is very touristy, there are many things that can be done and enjoy yourself here.
You can take boat cruises, eat in one of the bay's restaurants, visit its attractions, go shopping, enjoy unforgettable sunsets or do more active activities such as kayaking. Let's start with the cruises.
The Cruise They are offered by many hotels and travel agencies and it is thus, from the water, that one can observe the thousands of islets that decorate it, its beautiful beaches, limestone caves, internal lakes and even entire villages built on stilts. That is why it is World Heritage so my advice is that you do some kind of boat ride.
There are Hulong Bay cruises for all tastes, from luxurious to backpackers. That is why it is best not to arrive and leave on the same day, you have to stay at least one night. Many cruises include a english speaking guide and if you hire them from the hotel, it sure includes the transfer, tickets to sites that charge entry and even certain inflight entertainment.
And, if you have more money, there is a cruise of two days and one night. For more money, more beauties to meet and also, there is plenty of time to swim, snorkeling, kayaking or trekking.
The obligatory stop of the cruise ships is the Cat Ba Island which has floating villages, restaurants and hotels and bars. Between the sea and the green mountains this island is beautiful, well known for its fauna. It is 28 kilometers from Bai Chay Port and it is the most chosen destination for swimming and diving a little because it has a great underwater coral system, very deep caves and six internal lakes. The caves can only be visited by boat at low tide and you can see golden monkeys jumping here and there.
Another cruise destination is the Bo Hon Island, very famous for its caves. Is the Trinh Nu Cave, Sung Sot Cave and Trong Cave, between mountains, cliffs and lush forests. It is a somewhat distant place because you have to make a two-hour boat trip, leaving the Bai Chay Port, but it is absolutely worth it because the trip and the destination are beautiful, part of the Halong Bay National Park, with trees banyan, orchids and cycads.
Another island on the route is the Ti Top Island, just eight kilometers from Bai Chay Port. Titop, that's the fun fact, it's the last name of a Soviet astronaut who visited her in 1962. Its beach is spectacular, with loungers, soft sands and pristine waters. Amen to your luxury resorts, bars, restaurants and shops everywhere. There is even a 400-step staircase to the highest point on the island for the best panoramic view of all.
From here you can see the entire Halong Bay, all its islands with a population of fishermen and farmers. Each village has adapted to tourism and now offers kayaking, visits to pearl farms, fishing classes or just walks to get to know the local life. Finally, Halong caves have their own weight and choose what you choose to know, you cannot skip them: there is the Dau Go Cave with stalactites and stalagmites over two million years old and 20 meters high.
Through this cave you can make a 90-minute guided tour with English speaking guide, visit its three illuminated sections, with natural and artificial light, and reach its small pond with clear waters that is at the end of the route. It looks like a fairy tale. Another is the Trinh Nu Cave or Cave of the Virgin with a female statue with its own legend (that of a woman forced to marry a Mandarin).
La Sung Sot Cave with two cameras and a 30 meter high part, on Bo Hon Island for more information, or calls Kissing rocks o Kissing rocks, the real symbol of Halong Bay, one looking like a rooster, the other a hen, looking at each other. For the locals they are the symbol of eternal love for thousands of years.
In addition to cruises, Halong Bay allows you to do various activities: take photos of your landscapes, swimming, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking, biking or trekking. The truth is that it is a great destination for active people, who do not like to sit still.
La Cat ba island is a good trekking destination because there are many rare animals to see, monkeys, turtles, and various paths to travel. You can also ride a bike between their villages. Precisely, in the Viet Hau village, at a remote end of this island, you can still see bamboo houses and a very indigenous life.
In short, the most popular islands are Dau Be Island, for walking and diving among corals and caves, Dau Go Island with wonderful caves, Cat Ba Island, very touristy, Bo Hon Island with Hung Sung Sot Cave, Cueva de la Virgen and Cueva del Pelícano with stalactites hanging from the high ceiling and the floating villages so typical of the bay, another typical attraction among visitors.
Finally, you cannot leave this corner of Vietnan without enjoying as God intended its gastronomy. The area is rich in seafood so oysters, shrimp, and fish are on every menu. Always fresh as they are caught in the early hours of the day and shipped to all restaurants. Many of them are concentrated in the city of Bai Chay, in front of the beach, but there are others that serve as well. Vietnamese food in general and even Chinese food.
And the last experience that I recommend is eat in a floating restaurant. There are several next to Cat Ba Island and the food that is served is not fresher because otherwise it would be alive. For example? The Green Mango restaurant, overlooking the port, very cool and prices of medium up. Another option with views of the bay is Huu Dung and for a western dish you can try Noble House Restaurant & Bar, in the center of Cat Ba Island.
Bon voyage!