The main attractions of the Halong. Halong Bay - the main symbol of Vietnam

Halong is called both the city and the bay. The city itself does not represent anything special, and the real pearl of this area and the whole of Vietnam is Halong Bay. This bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surprisingly, over 1,500 islands and rocks of various shapes, sometimes very bizarre, are scattered over an area of \u200b\u200b1,500 square kilometers, which makes the bay more reminiscent of a fairy-tale than a real place. It is not surprising that Halong Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam.

Founded:  2 half 20th century
Area:  271.95 km 2
Population:  158 171 people (2013)
Currency:  vietnamese dong
Tongue:  Vietnamese
Of.site:  http://www.halong.org.vn

Current time in Halong:
  (UTC 0)

How to get there

The easiest way to come to Halong is from Hanoi. See how to get to Hanoi.

From Hanoi to Halong, there are intercity buses, as well as tourist minibuses. In Hanoi, buses leave from Mai Dinh Station. There is also a train on the Hanoi-Halong route, with both types - both simple and high-speed express.

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What to see in Halong

You can visit the bay during tours of Vietnam or neighboring South China and Hong Kong. The obligatory point of the program is a boat trip or any other ship around the islands. On the pier in the city you can find out in detail about all possible routes, which can be both short and long, and even include an overnight stay on a ship. A regular excursion includes a visit to a fishing village on one of the islands, a cave, as well as an island named after German Titov, the famous Soviet cosmonaut who rested here in the 70s.

You can also do night fishing directly from the side of the boat, which, however, must be ordered in advance. But then you can enjoy the taste of your own catch yourself!

By clicking on the links in the text, you can get more detailed information about a particular object (description, location on the map, cost of entrance tickets, working hours, ways to get there, photos, reviews of tourists, etc.). If you are interested in the sights of Vietnam as a whole, without dividing by city, there is a special section for this.

This is one of the most visited islands in the bay for one simple reason - there is a kilometer-long bridge between it and the mainland, so the island can be reached by car, and finding a suitable hotel or guesthouse will not be a problem. In addition, the island has many traditional tourist attractions like the dolphinarium.

An island in Halong Bay, a good half of which today is a national park. The hills of the island are covered with subtropical forests, the coast is covered with mangroves, and there are coral reefs near the coast. However, this does not prevent the island from being an excellent resort thanks to the beaches of Kaiveng, Hong Soaybe and Hong Soaylon.

Where to go in Halong

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Security

One of the most serious crimes that a tourist in Vietnam may face is pickpocketing, which occurs more or less regularly. In this regard, it is recommended not to carry cash and documents in the back pockets of trousers. The best option is to keep them in a safe at the hotel, and carry a small amount of money and a photocopy of your passport with you. In addition, tourists should be careful when calculating, as the Vietnamese sometimes do not mind fooling visitors.

You need to be careful if you are dealing with local "priestesses of love", who often are not averse to profit from the wallet of their customers. Foreigners can only play gambling in special institutions, and an attempt to involve local residents in them can result in criminal prosecution. Especially strictly punishable is everything related to drugs - storage, distribution, use. Punishments in this case apply the most severe, up to the death penalty. This is a traditional practice in Southeast Asia.

Tourists should be judicious while on vacation. In particular, this refers to the use of alcohol, since a tourist who has "gone over" in Vietnam can easily get into trouble, become a victim of a robbery, etc. When bathing, it is worth watching the ocean surf, which can become a source of danger.

As for health issues, before arriving in Vietnam you need to worry about the issue of medical insurance (regular or extended). You can also pay a fee to International SOS and use the medical services they provide at offices in Vietnam. The address in Hanoi is 31 Hai Ba Trung in the central part of the city. Phone number is 9340555.

You need to be careful when ordering dishes of Vietnamese cuisine, which is quite unusual for Europeans because of its spiciness, an abundance of spices and exotic products. If you overestimate your strength, then there are likely problems with the stomach and intestines.

   "Halong Hotels."

Halong Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin of the South China Sea. Due to the peculiarities of the local landscape in the bay there are more than three thousand islands, each of which is striking in its picturesqueness. Having rented a motor boat, you can travel here indefinitely - and each time you will discover something new for yourself.

The name of the bay "Halong" in Vietnamese means - "the place where the dragon descended into the sea." Locals live in the so-called "houseboats" and spend almost their entire lives on the water. Surprisingly, after many years of such a life, going down to earth, these people feel something similar to the symptoms of seasickness.

The most civilized place in the bay is the island of Tuanchau - it is recommended to settle here.

Grotto Sung Sot (Grotto of surprises)

This is one of the most picturesque grottoes of Halong Bay. At the entrance to the cave, a truly amazing world unfolds before you - thousands of stalactites form elegant columns here. Imagination itself seeks out in the bizarre bends of rocks the outlines of people, animals and trees ...

From the pier you will have to climb the stone stairs, which leads to the entrance to the Grotto Sung Sot (Grotto of surprises), located at an altitude of 25 meters above sea level. Inside the grotto along the cobbled road lanterns hang - they help not to stray from the path and add the grotto of special mystery. In the Sung Sot Grotto, two halls, one of them is somewhat similar to a theater hall, from whose ceiling a large number of stalactites of bizarre shapes and sizes hang.

You can go into the second chamber along a narrow passage. Inside it can easily accommodate about 1000 people. The rock near the entrance is somewhat like a horse with a sword. Local legend says that after defeating the conquerors, Thanh Dong (Holy Dong) helped drive out evil spirits and demons. He then ascended into heaven, leaving his sword and horse on earth. This was done to intimidate the demons so that they stay away from here. If you go deep into the grotto, you will find yourself in the "royal garden" with a pond and a miniature mountain landscape. In this green corner on sunny days, monkeys climb in search of fruit.

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Mount Bai Tu

The height of the mountain above sea level is 106 meters. From a distance, it looks like a medieval castle with towers or flames. Its ancient name sounds like Truyen Dang, which means "Radiant Light." With her amazing beauty she gave inspiration to many poets.

The story, which gave grief a modern name, happened in 1468. The Vietnamese emperor Le Thanh Ton, visiting his lands with inspection, was so imbued with the beauty of these places that he even composed poems. Their text was carved in stone on the southern slope of the mountain.

In 1729, the ruler of North Vietnam, Trin Kuon, decided to follow such an unusual example, and soon his poems also flaunted on the slope of Bai Tu. Later several more poets immortalized their works in stone. Not surprisingly, this place was called Mount Poem.

Since that time, there is a tradition to come to the foot of the mountain for creative inspiration. It is carefully observed by local poets. At the same time, they follow the ritual of launching red balloons, to which the scrolls with the best lines of classic poets are tied. For those who decide to overcome a steep climb to the top, a stunningly beautiful view of the surroundings opens.

The name of the grotto for some reason is associated with pelicans, supposedly here during the storms these beautiful birds were hiding. In fact, everything is much more prosaic: the phrase "Bo Nau" means "brown dove." And here is a completely reasonable explanation for this name: earlier, when tourists had not yet come here, thousands of pigeons inhabited the island. Man, by his presence, violated their quiet life, and now from the pigeons there is only a mention in the name.

Bo Nau Grotto is not very large, only about 200 square meters. meters. The entrance to it resembles the open mouth of a mysterious monster, where stalactites form a series of sinister fangs. Vaulted ceilings form a kind of arches. Bizarre stone growths are similar to the figures of some fabulous creatures. Here are three fairies whispering about something, bowing their heads to each other, here are two serious men playing chess, and the third, apparently, acts as a judge. Stalactites hang from walls and arches, from the ends of which a salty water drop rarely sheds, allowing stalagmites to reach upward. While inside the grotto, you can observe the panorama of Halong Bay with its islets and fishing boats.

Castaway Island

Among the many Vietnamese islands, special attention should be paid to Castaway, which is famous for its golden sand and limestone cliffs surrounding the island. All this is against the backdrop of dense jungle, which perfectly complement the overall picture.

Castaway Island is ready to offer its guests a whole list of entertainment - wakeboarding, rock climbing, volleyball, table tennis and much more. And at the same time, no one will forbid you to relax on the shores of the azure sea and enjoy the sound of the surf.

Cave "Paradise"

Thien Duong Cave was recently opened in 2005. The first to enter its gloomy "corridors" were the British cave explorers of the Cave Research Association. This is the longest cave in Vietnam, it stretches for more than 30 kilometers. Thien Duong is located in the middle of a mountain limestone, surrounded by the forests of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

In the cave, you can touch and photograph four-meter stalactites and stalagmites, which are many thousands of years old. There are stalactite columns, a stone arch, underground streams. According to rough estimates, the Paradise Cave is about 400 million years old. Its width is from 30 to 150 meters, and its height is up to 80 meters, and the temperature inside always fluctuates around 20 degrees.

For tourists, the cave was opened in 2010.

Tuan Island

Typically, tourists get to the island with a special bus that goes from the city of Halong, which is near Hanoi. You can also get to here by ferry, although the bus in this sense is slightly more convenient for two reasons - a beautiful view from the bridge and saving time.

Here tourists will find a wide choice of entertainment: excursions along the island on a boat visit the Dau Guo Cave, where incredibly beautiful views of the colorful ancient stalactites dolphinarium, which is perfect for family vacations, water skiing and a jet ski, and, of course, swimming in warm and clear water of the Gulf of Tonkin.

On the island there is a large selection of hotels from three to five stars, as well as restaurants, cafes and spa salons, where you can massage, manicure and conduct many cosmetic procedures.

Tourists are always welcome here.

Ceramics factory

Many islands adjoin Halong, which are recognized by UNESCO international organization as a national treasury. Here you can feel your unique charm and flavor - evergreen islands surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin look unusually picturesque. Tourists on special pleasure boats spend hours observing the surroundings, after which a ceramic factory is offered to their attention. Here, for more than 200 years, the bulk of porcelain has been produced throughout Vietnam - from decorative ceramic figurines to elegant cutlery. Tourists have the opportunity to observe the production process and visit the museum of ceramic products located right here in the factory building and look at the best works of local craftsmen.

The most popular attractions in Halong with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous Halong places on our website.

One of the most popular places in Vietnam is Halong Bay. What this place is famous for, which are worth visiting and how to spend an unforgettable vacation here, read this article.

Southeast Asia is increasingly interested in tourists. - not an exception. One of the pearls of the country is Halong Bay and the city of the same name on its coast,   tours  where are very popular.

Exciting excursions for holidaymakers and travelers in 350 cities of the world: Tripster.ru is a service of unusual excursions from local residents and guides who can tell interesting and exciting things about the most interesting in their cities.

Halong Bay

The pearl of Quang Ninh province and, perhaps, one of the most iconic places not only for Vietnam, but also for the entire South Asian region.

Here are some facts about this place:

• the bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• scenes of the film “Tomorrow Never Dies”, “Kong: Skull Island”, “Indochina” and others were shot here;
• in the middle of the bay there are small floating settlements;
• halong Bay has about 3,000 beautiful islands;
• sun World Ha Long has a cable car - the longest reversing road in the world.

Visit Halong Bay - this is a must-have item in any travel program.. A lot of money is being invested here and it can be argued that this is the most dynamically developing tourist region in Vietnam.

When is the best time to visit?

Those who want an inexpensive and comfortable beach holiday are advised to come to - or to -. The temperature is set at a comfortable level of 29-32 ° C. If the purpose of your visit is excursions, you can come from to. Winter in Vietnam is warm, during the day the temperature ranges from 22-25 ° C. For long walks in protected areas - this is what you need.

Reference!  The most unlucky months to visit Halong may be the second decade and March. At this time, in the north of the country, a light, drizzling rain often occurs.

From Hanoi to Halong, tourists are transported by minibuses, which is included in the price of the ticket. One day stands from 30 to 200 $, it all depends on the class of the vessel and the program. Two to three day tours cost from 125 to 400 $.

You can also book excursions to Halong. One-day - 40-150$ longer from 100 to 350 $. The price includes transfer and escort of the Russian-speaking guide.

Boat trips

You can see all the beauty of Halong Bay only from the sea.

You can choose a tour for every taste and budget, for example:

• One day boat trip. Express option for those who do not have time. As a rule, it lasts about 4 hours and includes a walk between the rocks, visiting floating villages. Cost from 20 to 60 $ depending on the class and type of vessel.
• Tour for romantics or a two-day walk.  Having booked a yacht or a boat with a cabin, you can fully enjoy the spectacle of a magnificent sunset and no less beautiful sunrise.   Such an excursion costs about $ 100, the price almost always includes food.
• Multi day excursions. The best option is to buy a tour for 3-4 days and slowly explore all the attractions of Halong. The program usually includes spending the night in a hotel of one of the islands, visiting caves, hiking on the rocks. You will have to pay from $ 125 per person, plus payment for a hotel room.

For lovers of an individual approach, it is possible to hire a boat and explore the bay along their route. This, of course, is more expensive, but all the attention of the guide will be riveted to you.

Important!  Any tour needs to be bought at the box office or from travel companies. Street "guides", supposedly organizing trips, simply resell these same tours with a mark-up.

Caves

Since the Halong Islands are karst, often voids form in their rocks - caves and grottoes.

The most popular places for tourists:

• cave "Paradise";
• grotto Me Kung;
• thien Kung Cave;
• chong cave.

They all have beautiful lighting, specially equipped viewing platforms, steps and suspension bridges.

The islands

You can find very wild places where the tropical jungle reigns, and quite comfortable islands with hotels, parks and a full range of entertainment (Internet cafes, clubs, restaurants).

The largest and most visited are the following islands:

• Katba;
• Kuan Lan;
• Dow Be;
• Titova (yes, such an unusual name among the Vietnamese names that the island received in honor of the astronaut German Titov).

Note!  Most of the tour operators who organize excursions around the bay, offer to stay for the night on the island of Katba. It is the largest, infrastructure is developed here, there are many interesting places.

Flight over the bay

Those who are not surprised by boat trips, the local tour operator Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company offers to look at the bay from above. Flight over the waters of the South China Sea will allow for 45 minutes  view the panorama of the bay. You can rent a helicopter alone (and lay out for this pleasure   more than 1000 $), and the company, but not more than 6 people.

Beaches

Halong Bay is popular with fans. There are beaches on almost every major island.They are all quite clean and equipped with everything necessary for a pleasant stay. On the same island of Kathba there are several picturesque places for swimming, and in the city of Halong there is a good Bai Chai beach.

Entertainment

It is clear that the flow of tourists contributes to the development of infrastructure and Halong Bay is no exception. Local authorities in every possible way promote and encourage the construction of new hotels, cafes, etc.

Largely due to this, the unremarkable city of the same name has become a fully developed tourist center, where you can find anything: from local exotic cuisine to tennis courts and shopping centers.

Night life

The favorite entertainment of tourists in the evenings is to sit down with a glass on the terrace of one of the many bars or restaurants and enjoy the sunset, and after that - the stars reflected in the sea. You can play billiards, dance in a nightclub or sing songs with friends in the karaoke bar.

Judging by the reviews of tourists, you can have a good time in such places:

• cafe-bar Flightless Bird;
• blue Note Bar;
• Noble House, on the ground floor of which a restaurant, on the second bar;
• Ngoc Linh Restaurant.

Since the main center of attraction for all tourists is still a bay, many bars and cafes have become .... floating.  Water cafes and bars have a variety of shapes and sizes, are decorated with lanterns and illuminations and, admittedly, look enchanting in the middle of the night bay.

Shopping

Finding an outlet or a large shopping center in Halong is unlikely to succeed. For this you need to go to other cities in Vietnam, and even better - to Thailand. Here you can buy only souvenirs and local seafood. But this is a lot, especially considering that the prices of products are very low, and the range is amazing.

Souvenirs that the locals offer are not Chinese plastic crafts, and real works of art made of stone, wood and metal. Another hallmark of the place are shops and pearl factories, in some of them you can get acquainted with the intricacies of production, in others you can buy ready-made jewelry.

Attention!  In order not to buy fake pearls, you need to rub the pearls together. If they glide easily, there is no resistance - this is plastic. In addition, any scratches and abrasions after such a check also directly indicate a fake.

Where to eat

As elsewhere in Asia, it is quite specific and this is putting it mildly. Someone behind this exotic and travels to distant lands, someone all these delights across the throat.

The following places are popular with tourists in Halong:

• Restaurant "1958". Beautiful decoration, the freshest seafood and excellent cuisine. Vietnamese and Asian dishes are served, there is a menu for vegetarians.
• Restaurant Wander Station. Excellent service and the best price-quality ratio. And here they make the best coffee.
• Pizzeria "Rock House Pizza". Need a break from rice and fish? Here you will be served pizza, a hamburger and, of course, French fries familiar to a European.
• Restaurant "Chick Bread Restaurant". Another place designed for tourists. Sandwiches, pizza, chicken nuggets and wings, cheese sticks. What you need to sit with friends over a glass of beer.

Floating restaurants are also worth a visit.  which offer fresh seafood. Fish and other marine life splashing in the cages, the visitor can only choose: what to eat today. The staff in the presence of the guest cuts and prepares food.

Search for hotels

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To enjoy the beauty of this wonderful place, it is better to stop either in the city itself or in one of the hotels on the bay. There is another option, yes, floating hotels. For instance, cruise ship Orchid Ha Long.  The hotel is five-star, which is not uncommon for Halong.

The prices correspond: a double suite on the lower deck costs around 20-25 thousand rubles, and for a room on the upper deck you will have to pay 30 to 45 thousand rubles.

A budget tourist will also find accommodation affordable, for example, in a two-star hotel Quynh Yen in Ha Long  number is only   600-1000 rubles.  At the same time, the quality of service and living conditions are at a high level.

Halong Bay is, of course, a terrific place. An increasing number of tourists are discovering Asia and visiting this bay is an obligatory point of the program. Reasonable prices, friendly people, low crime rates and stunning nature.

Halong is a resort town near Haiphong, which is located on an artificial dam connecting the two peninsulas. Everything is in the best traditions - beautiful hotels, elite residential buildings, shops, cafes, a spa, clubs and a bar; all this is in Halong. But first of all, tourists go to Halong because of its luxurious nature - comfortable sandy beaches and very warm water! If you are lucky enough to be in Halong, take a day to see local attractions. There are not very many of them, but it's worth it.

Halong Bay(Bai Tu Long Bay)

Halong Bay, on which the town stands, is located in the Gulf of Tonkin of the South China Sea. The bay is rich in islands - there are more than three thousand of them and everyone is amazingly beautiful! Of course, it’s difficult to go round everything, but if you rent a boat and go by some, then your impressions will be exactly above the roof. By the way, the name of the bay itself translates as "the place where the dragon descended into the sea." When sailing a boat on this bay, you can see the houses of local residents who live in "houseboats" on pontoons (in the sense that they do not move around the bay, fixed on the shore) - it all seems incredible! Locals say that sometimes, descending to the ground, residents of such houses are slightly dizzy, as during seasickness. Find out how to swim to the island near Tuanchau - this is the most civilized part of the land in the area.

Stone Pillar Grotto (Hang Dau Go cave)

There are many caves and grottoes on the bay islands that attract with their beauty and mystery. This grotto on the island of Driftwood Island is the most popular among tourists, probably because it is considered the most beautiful. From afar, the entrance to the cave 25 meters high looks like some kind of bluish jellyfish. Stalactites hang from the ceiling, and the walls are dotted with natural bas-reliefs. You can get into the second compartment only if you go through a narrow "corridor", which was formed as a result of stone erosion. Here you can also see stalactites, though a little smaller and more elegant than in the first compartment. But the third compartment is the most spacious. Stone growths and stalactites created completely bizarre paintings, which many compare with scenes of hostilities. However, everyone sees in these grottoes only what their own imagination dictates to him. The place, of course, is very beautiful and impressive!

Grotto Sung Sot (Grotto of surprises) (Sung Sot Cave)

Here is another luxurious grotto in Halong Bay. A stone staircase leads to the grotto (the cave is located 25 meters above sea level). The cave is equipped with arrows and lanterns so that tourists do not get lost and are not taken aback. This mainsail consists of two compartments. The first is somewhat similar to the hall in the theater, but the ceiling is dotted with strange-shaped stalactites. To get into the second "hall", you will need to slip through a narrow passage. The second compartment is very spacious and can accommodate up to a thousand people at a time. The interesting part is the rock, which many compare to the horse. Such an unusual natural phenomenon simply could not go unnoticed: the locals tell a legend according to which, after defeating the enemies, Thanh Dong (Holy Dong) drove out evil spirits and demons before ascending to Heaven. On earth, he left only his sword and horse - specifically to scare the demons after his death. Here is such a beautiful legend! An even more interesting part of the grotto is the “Royal Garden” with a pond with clear water and a miniature mountain landscape inside the cave. A completely unexpected oasis in the middle of the stones!

Cave "Paradise"

This cave was found and explored relatively recently, only in 2005. This is the longest cave in Vietnam, because it stretches as much as 30 kilometers! This cave is located in the middle of a mountain limestone in the forests of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The grotto is impressed by stalactites four meters long, which, according to scientists, are several thousand years old. There are underground streams and a stone arch. In general, the age of the cave is approximately 400 million years. Can you imagine? The cave is quite wide - from 30 to 150 meters, and the height of the cave is up to 80 meters, and the temperature inside is always around 20 degrees. Tourists have the right to visit the cave since 2010. Of course, this cave is not in Halong, and not even nearby, to be honest, but the place is definitely worth a visit!

Observation deck of the island of Titova

Interestingly, one of the islands of Halong Bay is named after the Soviet cosmonaut, German Titov. This island is located about 10 km from Halong, the island is very small, just tiny, but there are special excursions from the “big shore”, so you can come to Titova island for a couple of hours. And all in order to climb to the observation deck on top of the mountain on the island, and from there stunning views. The climb is equipped with steps, however, only the most hardy will be able to climb there, because it is 430 steps. But kinds, kinds!

Ceramics Factory

One of the favorite tourist excursions. Ceramics have been producing ceramics on the Gulf Islands for a very long time, for more than 200 years they have been making the bulk of porcelain in all of Vietnam, from decorative souvenir figurines to cutlery. At the factory you can watch how ceramic gizmos are made, as well as buy something. From Halong to the factory, about an hour's drive north.

Address:  Yen Tho Comm, Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh

The Bai Tho Mountain

And another attraction for the brave. The mountain has a height of 106 meters above sea level. The mountain became inspired by many local poets and writers. From afar, it looks like a medieval castle with towers, and many compare the tower with flames. Even the ancient name of the mountain sounds like Truyen Dang, which means "emitting light." And the mountain got its modern name in 1468. The Vietnamese emperor Le Thanh Thon traveled around his possessions and was so impressed with this mountain that he could not resist, as they say, and composed a poem. And this verse, so imbued with the beauty of these places that he even composed poems. Their text was carved in stone on the southern slope of the mountain. A couple of centuries later, another emperor composed a poem, and this work also appeared on the side of the mountain. Well, a few poets left their mark on the mountain. Therefore, the new name of the mountain as it all immediately came to mind - Mount Poem or Bai Tu. At the foot of the mountain you can witness an interesting ritual: local poets come here in search of inspiration and launch red balls with tied scrolls with eternal lines of the best poets in the world. That is, in the near future after this, the mountain should endow the poet with brilliant thoughts. You can also climb the mountain - everything is equipped for this, although it’s not easy, and only the most trained will survive it. But on the other hand, beautiful views of the surroundings open from the mountain - you can see that, you yourself sit on a slope and create an immortal poem!

Address:  78 Hàng Nồi

Halong Bay (Vietnam) is one of the most beautiful places in the region, a national park, which is on the UNESCO list. About 3000 islands with beaches and grottoes are scattered over an area of \u200b\u200babout one and a half thousand square meters. kilometers. In the Halong Bay - magnificent landscapes that simply fascinate everyone who came here, especially during the hours of dawn and sunset.

Where is Halong Bay located?

It is said that the word "halong" is translated as "the place where the dragon sank into the sea." Probably because dolomite and limestone rocks protruding from the water resemble the vertebrae of the giant neck of an ancient pangolin. According to legend, the local Serpent Gorynych first created the island of Halong, and then made the landscape on the shore with his tail. Finally, he sank into the water, and only fragments of land remained on the surface.

Halong Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin of the South China Sea. You can get here by minibus or car from the capital of Vietnam - Hanoi (the most convenient starting point for sending). It is approximately 150-170 kilometers from the city. The journey will take 3-4 hours.

It is better to come to the bay from December to May, when the days are dry and warm. True, it’s cool in the bay in winter, about 20 degrees of heat in the afternoon. From August to October is also good, but there are typhoons, and the temperature holds about 30 degrees. Although Halong Bay is charming at any time of the year. Even in the pouring rain, you will take a lot of great photos and bring with you only the best emotions.

Fifteen hundred Vietnamese live here, whose main income is tourists. Someone rolls visitors on stunning sailing ships, someone sells exotic fruits, someone sells fish. There are fishing villages here, which also boil their own lives. It's hard to believe, but people in Halong Bay buy water (as we have land), build a raft in its place, and so live in families. By the way, floating villages are always “built” near a spacious cave, where one could hide if a typhoon suddenly flies up.

Halong - both the city and the bay

On one of the islands is the city of Halong. There is a huge pier, where many majestic ships built in the traditions of Vietnam find their refuge. The city is located about 165 km from Hanoi. It is divided into two parts: the eastern, working part, where there are factories and offices and the western tourist. The two parts of Halong are connected by a bridge.

As a tourist center of Vietnam, Halong is a beginner. Previously, it was known (in addition to the bay) only by coal mining. But still it is not the city that attracts tourists, but the bay itself. Ships are surrounded by picturesque cliffs on all sides. Moreover, when you sail on a ship, depending on the perspective, the islands change their color. The islands near are green, the further away are dark gray, and on the foggy horizon silvery. There is a feeling that there is an alien landscape around.

Now they are actively offering tours of this bay of Vietnam with visits to grottoes, small fishing villages and neighboring islands. On one of the mountains there is a magnificent observation platform, from where you can take wonderful photos of Halong Bay. On average, an excursion lasts 4–5 hours (which will fly by quickly) and costs from $ 25 per person.

Things to do in Halong Bay

Halong Bay - a beckoning spot for its untouched nature, a wonderful place in Vietnam. Here people live on the sea waves, huddle on small pieces of land, in the company of only underwater creatures and wild monkeys. The latter persistently beg for a treat from tourists. Here you will surely find something to do.

Sea cruise

Although Halong Bay, as it is called in English, is protected by UNESCO, visitors are still carried around the islands. True, the Vietnamese are quite law-abiding people, so they try to adhere to the rules so as not to harm nature. However, this does not prevent particularly cunning sailors from inviting tourists to their outdated vessels, enticing low prices. So do not settle for suspiciously good offers, on some ships it is simply unsafe.

Halong cruises are available on any wallet and, accordingly, service. Usually, meals are also included in riding along the bay: from rice with potatoes and lecho to the most varied and delicious dishes. Programs on cruises on the bay are rich, so in the cabin you will only have time to sleep. From the early morning (usually from 6 o’clock) the day already begins. Vacationers are offered roasting and fragrant Vietnamese coffee with buns and fruits. For those who wish - charging Tai Chi. Well and, of course, sightseeing.

Local coca love to hold master classes. Usually, for example, they offer simple but tasty Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls or Nem pancakes.

Picturesque views between the cliffs and cliffs of the bay can be admired even from the cabins. The boats adhere to several of the islands of Halong Bay prepared for the arrival of visitors. Guides take to the observation deck, and then to the cave. The grottoes, by the way, are wonderful. Everywhere stalactites and stalagmites, an amazing relief of a stone and, of course, illumination. Somewhere, just a yellow light burns, somewhere colored lamps ... In some places, the timid ray of the sun breaks from the surface. All together creates an impression of unreality.

Of the entertainment on a Halong Bay cruise, fishing will surely be. And fishing or squid can be offered even at night. At night, the water in the bay is even more beautiful - in places it glows, and the bay seems truly mysterious.

Halong Bay (Vietnam) is also a place where pearls are grown. During the cruise, you may be asked to visit Pearl House, the pearl factory. Here your ideas about how brave divers, risking their lives, hold their breath and scour the bottom in search of precious shells, will collapse. Here the production of organic jewelry is put on stream.

The factory will talk about all stages of production. No one waits for years until a shell layer of pearl grows naturally in a shell. In the shells thrust blanks - beads from pressed shells. Then they release the mollusk on free bread for about several months, and only then they take out the finished pearl from it. After such treatment, some mollusks die. In general, the life of these sea creatures cannot be called easy - they are injected like damned ones.

Luon Cave is a lagoon in the territory of Halong Bay (although it is strange: from the English language. Cave is a cave). It turns out that the lagoon in the bay. Luon Cave is surrounded on all sides by cliffs, and getting there is not easy. If you are sailing on a yacht on a cruise, then to sail into the lagoon, the ship anchors. Passengers loaded on boats or kayaks and sail to the pier. From there - to bamboo boats, because deep into the lagoon on motorboats is impossible.

Places where a large number of tourists are brought are always teeming with enterprising sellers. And even this lagoon, far from the cities of Vietnam and large routes, the merchants did not ignore. Local cleverly maneuver between the boats on which foreign guests sit, and smartly offer their simple goods: snacks, drinks, fruits, souvenirs.

Interestingly, in return for tax breaks and the ability to trade seafood, Vietnamese from floating villages should clean up the trash left by tourists. By the way, sailing on a ship, be prepared that local merchants can take you on board. They swim in a boat, cling to a hook and climb into the windows with their belongings.

Kayak swim

For those who are ready not just to sit statically on a boat, but to pick up a paddle, there is another entertainment - kayaking. Some efforts will have to be made here, but the impressions will be even more vivid than when examining all the charms of the bay from the ship. The most amazing thing is that no one limits you here. You see a pretty grotto - please swim under it, you want to land on the shore of the bay and take a walk for your pleasure - if you please.

Each Halong rock that looms threateningly above your head can be touched with your hand. If you are hungry, then on the way you will surely meet the merchants mentioned above, they will gladly sell you something to eat.

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Beach Holidays in Halong

There are no natural beaches in Halong Bay. Most of them are artificially created, so if you want it on a wild beach, you will have to look around the bay. The most convenient way to do this is kayaking. By the way, each island is special. Somewhere you can dive with a mask and flippers and look at bright fish. Somewhere at night, sea fish is perfectly caught. Halong Bay in Vietnam (photos confirm this) is surprisingly diverse and beautiful.

1. 1. 1. Katba (a national park in Vietnam) is known for mangroves, coral reefs, and for a beach holiday it is better to go here too. The infrastructure of the islands does not reach the popular beaches of Vietnam. But the inconvenience is compensated by pristine nature and crystal water. Here, like on many beaches, they offer to relax in the campsite.
      2. Bai Chai is an island in the bay with a fairly developed infrastructure, although the beach here is not natural. On it you can have a bite to eat in nice restaurants, take a walk in a lovely park or attend a performance in one of the musical theaters. On the beach you can enjoy water skiing or jet skiing.

1. 1. 1. The island of Tuan Chau is famous for its dolphinarium. In addition to excellent relaxation on the beach (the coastline is three kilometers long) and entertainment in the bay, you can do water sports here. Climbing lovers also come here. For those who prefer to just lie in the shade or settle in a tent camp on the shore, there is also a place.

1. 1. 1. Ngok Vung, the “pearl island”, is large enough. On the south coast of Ngok Wunga you will find the best beach. There you can eat in one of several decent eateries. The island's specialties, like everywhere else in Halong, are fish specialties. The basis for them is a fish caught here by Vietnamese fishermen, which appears on the table by the cook immediately after capture. On the eastern side of Ngok Vunga, an old fig tree grows, it can be seen in the very middle of the beach. It was under him that in 1962, Ho Chi Minh stood and talked with the local population.

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A place in Vietnam where tourists from all over the world (about a million a year) prefer to relax every year has already gained a lot of legends, history and simply interesting facts. Here is some of them.

1. 1. • An Avatar, a James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, and the recent film Kong: Skull Island were filmed in Halong Bey, Vietnam.
      • From the nineteenth century and until relatively recently, coal was mined in Halong Bay, and coal dust and other waste remained on the banks due to mining. All this still harms nature.
      • The special shape of the rocks sticking out of the water is explained by their limestone origin. Heavy rains dissolve limestone. Geologists call this "tower karst."

1. 1. • Hang Dau Guo Cave is a “cave of wooden pegs” as high as 25 meters. A stone stalactite waterfall froze overhead. But not by them, and not by magnificent natural paintings on the walls of the cave, this place is famous. During the Mongol-Vietnamese war, local residents planed stakes and stored them in this cave during the day, and carried them out and stuck into the seabed at night in order to harm enemy ships.
      • The drum cave in Halong has an understandable name. Due to the unusual landscape with strong winds, you can hear a sound like a drum roll here.
      • Not only houses are on the water, but there are floating restaurants, schools, playgrounds, markets and even vegetable gardens. Some of the locals even have pets who also swim for their owners.

1. 1. • Russians will be interested to know that there is a cape called Titov. He received his name in honor of an astronaut from the USSR. Here, there is a pier, a beach and a gorgeous observation deck. To go to the site for about ten minutes - you need to conquer three hundred steps.
      • At the end of 2011, the worldwide voting for the choice of the 7th wonder of the world ended. Guess which bay won the vote?

Such is it - Halong Bay (Vietnam). Even if you have already been there, you will always want to return to this wonderful world, forget about daily worries. Take a boat, sit down with a cup of green tea on the upper deck and just contemplate. It looks like meditation. Imagine the lurking dragons who took refuge in the bay. And you can do nothing, Halong Bay will do everything for you. It will erase anxieties and sorrows, it will amaze with intricate landscapes ... And then a wolf appetite will wake up, and you will eat whatever you serve. In the evening you can wrap yourself in a blanket and fall asleep sweetly in the cabin, under the cradle of quiet waves.

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