Hang Out In Halong Bay
Still to do
Wake on deck to mist lifting off emerald water and hundreds of jungle-topped limestone towers rising all around you.
The adventure
Legend says Ha Long Bay was made by a family of dragons who spat jewels into the sea to stop invaders, and the jewels became islands. Sail out from the harbour and it is easy to believe. Within an hour the mainland disappears behind a maze of sheer limestone karsts, each one draped in trees and rising straight from glassy green water.
The best way to feel it is overnight. You paddle a kayak through low sea arches into hidden lagoons, climb into the vast chambers of Sung Sot Cave, and swim off the boat as the sun drops behind the peaks. After dark the bay goes quiet except for squid fishing boats and their lights, and at dawn the islands emerge one by one from the mist.
Why it’s epic
- Around 1,600 limestone islands and islets, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
- Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, one of the largest caves in the bay.
- Kayaking through sea arches into enclosed lagoons.
- Ha Long means descending dragon, after the legend of how the bay was formed.
What it is
Ha Long Bay has around 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising from emerald water.
How to do it
Take an overnight cruise from Ha Long City or Hai Phong, kayaking among the islands and visiting caves.
Top tip
Lan Ha Bay nearby is quieter but just as beautiful.
Need to know
- It's about two and a half to three hours by road from Hanoi on the expressway, and most cruises include the transfer.
- Cruises can be cancelled at short notice in storms, especially in the typhoon season from around June to October.
- Quality varies widely between boats, so pick a well-reviewed operator and check whether your route goes to the quieter Lan Ha Bay.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Fly into
- HAN airport
An overnight cruise is the main cost, and the price rises with cabin quality and how small the boat is.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1Transfer from Hanoi and board an overnight junk; kayak through the karsts
- Day 2Tai chi at sunrise, a cave visit, then back to Hanoi
Make it happen
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
Comments