Ha Long Bay in Vietnam

Situated in Quảng Ninh province in north-eastern Vietnam is Ha Long Bay.

The bay has long been a popular destination due to the spectacular scenery found there.

Read on and find out why (and when) you should visit Ha Long Bay, where the landscape and islands offer beautiful natural experiences and exciting legends about dragons.

What is Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long means ‘descending dragon’ in Vietnamese, and after one look at the bay, it’s not difficult to understand how it got its name. “A fantastic spectacle of nature”, one of our team members even called it.

The bay contains around 1,600 small islands and breathtaking limestone karsts jutting out of the water. The sight brings to mind mythical dragons stretching up to the heavens.

Several of the islands have large grottos. On the large island of Cat Ba, there are several villages, and on some of the smaller islands there are small fishing villages.

Many of the islands in the bay are uninhabited and thus almost untouched, partly because of the very steep cliff sides. Ha Long Bay is thus in many respects a pristine area of natural beauty, with an abundance of flora and fauna.

The historical and cultural significance of Ha Long Bay

The dragon is of great importance to Vietnamese culture, and it is therefore no coincidence that Ha Long Bay is named after it.

One of the most popular legends tells of how a dragon and her young flew down from the heavens to protect the Vietnamese people from their enemies by spewing fire, emeralds and jade. These precious stones became the rock formations you can see today in Ha Long Bay, and maybe also why the water changes to jade green?

The unique landscape with its untouched islands was also the reason why Ha Long Bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 – a natural phenomenon worthy of preservation.

What you should experience in Ha Long Bay

When you visit Ha Long Bay, you can look forward to a number of unforgettable experiences, sights and activities.

We’ve put some of them together here.

Go on a mini cruise

One of the best ways to experience Ha Long Bay is to go on a cruise. You spend the night on the boat, giving you all the hours of the day to explore the bay.

The boat will sail you past some of the main attractions in Ha Long Bay, including Sung Sot Cave and the floating fishing villages. You can go kayaking from the boat or take part in morning exercise (usually Tai Chi) on deck.

And it goes without saying that you can also enjoy a swim along the way.

Fly over the bay in a seaplane

If you’d like an aerial view of Ha Long Bay, you have the option to fly across it in a seaplane.

The view from above is truly unique, and you’ll be able to see the beautiful rock formations and fairy-tale islands spread throughout the bay below you.

The seaplane is small and seats around 12 people.

Visit the Sung Sot cave

Sung Sot cave is one of the major highlights of a visit to Ha Long Bay.

The cave was discovered in 1901. Measuring around 10,000 m2, it is one of the largest caves in Ha Long Bay.

The cave is divided into two ‘chambers’. The first is called the “waiting room”, but there is certainly more to it than the name suggests, including impressive stalactites, illuminated by colourful lamps.

The second chamber, known as “Serene Castle”, can only be accessed via a narrow passage and contains an array of spectacular rock formations. The locals identify the formations by comparing them to animals that they resemble.

See the floating fishing villages (from a distance)

In Ha Long Bay, you’ll sail past the floating fishing villages where the Vietnamese have lived for several generations.

The inhabitants of the fishing villages often lead simple, quiet lives, earning a living from fishing. Since Ha Long Bay has become a popular destination, however, there are many residents who also have electricity, television, etc.

Seeing these floating fishing villages gives visitors a unique insight into the local Vietnamese culture of Ha Long Bay.

Swim in the bay

Over the course of a year, the colour of the water changes from deep blue to jade green, and no matter what colour the water is when you visit Ha Long Bay, it looks so inviting.

Fortunately, you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy a dip in the refreshing, turquoise-green water while experiencing the bay.

You can, for example, experience the island of Ti Top in the summer, where you can swim from a lovely little sandy beach in true beach holiday style.

Enjoy the view

It may sound mundane, but there are actually amazing experiences to be had from just sitting back and enjoying the view from your boat as you sail through Ha Long Bay.

Watch the landscape change as you sail past all the unique islands and limestone formations.

You can also observe the orange-red play of colours over Ha Long Bay when the sunrise casts the first light of the day or the sunset kisses the day goodbye with its warm rays. It’s a magical experience that fills most people with inner peace and a sense of harmony.

When is the best time to visit Ha Long Bay?

You can visit Ha Long Bay all year round.

Ha Long Bay is located in northern Vietnam, which has a tropical climate characterised by hot, humid summers and cooler winters.

However, there are different weather conditions that may affect when you can experience what.

The weather in Ha Long Bay – all year round

From March to April: you’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures and not that much rain, and for many people, these months, along with September and October, are some of the best to visit Ha Long Bay.

From May to September: it can be hot and humid in Ha Long Bay. June to August are the hottest months, and August is also when it rains the most. On the other hand, it’s a great time to enjoy swimming in the bay.

From late September to October: there is less rain and sunnier weather than in the previous months, and along with March and April, these are some of the most pleasant months to visit Ha Long Bay.

From November to February: you get the coolest, yet often still warm, temperatures of the year at Ha Long Bay, as well as the least amount of rain. It can be misty, lending an almost mythical atmosphere to your sailing trip. Winter is a festive season with several events such as Christmas, New Year and Vietnamese New Year (Tet) which you would be able to experience in Ha Long Bay if you travel in winter.

Ready to visit Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is a fantastic travel destination whatever the season, and it offers experiences for everyone.

With everything from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches and local culture, Ha Long Bay is worth exploring on your tour to Vietnam.

If you have any questions about Ha Long Bay or are unsure about when to travel to Vietnam, please give us a call. We’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller