In addition to exploring Halong Bay and Halong City, you can also travel to the surrounding areas and experience all aspects of local life. These events can give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Use our list of 26 things to do in Halong Bay to plan your trip.
What thing to do in Halong Bay Vietnam for the traveler
You go to Halong Bay but you don’t know what thing to do there. These are guidelines for the best things to do in Halong Bay Vietnam for you.
More detail: Trang An boat tour
1. Explore the amazing cave
Caving is a must-do activity in Halong Bay. Due to its unique geological and archaeological value, Halong Bay’s beautiful cave system dating back thousands of years becomes the mark of any first-time visitor here.
In the intricate karst caves, stalactites and stalagmites, and winding and mysterious caves. Some famous big and beautiful caves are Surprise Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Luon Cave in Halong Bay, Dark, and Bright Cave in Lan Ha Bay, and Sky View Cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. The caves are ideally located on prominent islands and easily accessible by boat, making them suitable for both adults and children to visit.
2. Visit the ancient fishing village and learn deeply about the daily life of fishermen
Halong Bay has many rustic floating villages with a history of thousands of years of living on fishing as their main livelihood. Among them, the Cua Van floating village is the largest and oldest floating village in Halong Bay. There, you can catch a glimpse of colorful boats and rafts lying side by side. There is also a chance to meet the locals and learn about their daily life and work.
In addition, Viet Hai Fishing Village is also a promising destination where you can experience many activities such as cycling, hiking, boating, and swimming.
Floating village on Halong Bay
3. Seaplane ride
Hai O Air offers one of the most enjoyable experiences for visitors to Halong Bay, flying across the bay by seaplane.
This type of travel is a bit expensive, but worth it, especially on a sunny day with clear views. Each flight lasts 25 minutes. You will be able to overlook the amazing beauty of Halong Bay from a low altitude of 300 to 150 meters and take amazing photos. There are several scheduled flights each day and you can book this service through Hai’ao Airlines or a travel agent.
4. Kayaking
Kayaking is a typical activity that all visitors must do when visiting Halong Bay. This is the best way to get close-up and relaxing views of the bay.
You and your partner can kayak by yourself to visit famous kayaking areas such as Luon Cave, Vung Vieng fishing village, Tung Sau pearl farm, Cong Do Island, Ba Trai Dao area, Frog Pond area, etc. This activity is included in most day and overnight travel itineraries. In addition, you can sit leisurely on a bamboo boat rowed by locals and admire the beautiful scenery of the bay. The best times for kayaking are from March to June and October to December when the weather is predictable and unaffected by storms and heavy rain.
Kayaking through the caves of Halong Bay
5. Stay at a 5-star hotel or resort
In addition to picturesque seascapes and interesting cultural values, Halong Bay is also an important destination for upmarket stays at luxury hotels and resorts. Top luxury hotels in Halong include Vinpearl Resort & Spa Halong, Wyndham Legend Halong, Royal Halong Hotel, and Royal Lotus Halong Resort & Villas. These are great options for overnight cruises, giving you more time to explore Halong City.
6. Overnight on the cruise
A trip to Halong Bay would not be complete without one of the most fascinating activities, sleeping on a cruise ship. You can choose to stay 1 or 2 nights on board.
In addition to a good night’s sleep, the night cruise also offers you many interesting evening entertainment activities such as playing board games, night squid fishing, karaoke, night movies, etc. In the morning, practice Tai Chi or yoga on deck before breakfast.
7. Participate in extreme sports (mountain climbing, kitesurfing, jet skiing)
Halong Bay holds a treasure trove of adventure experiences for seasoned travelers. Explore hidden lagoons and mysterious caves on a kayak, climb treacherous rock formations, or sharpen your paragliding powers while seeking the thrill of an exotic excursion. In addition, trekking through the jungle is an ideal adventure for wildlife lovers. These adventurous options allow you to explore Halong Bay on your terms.
8. Take a day trip
If you don’t have much time but want to capture the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay, taking a day trip is a great choice. There are many day trips in Halong Bay and different travel times (4 – 8 hours). These cruises travel along 5 main routes to famous tourist destinations in Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Route 2 going to Thien Cung Cave – Dau Go – Dinh Huong – Ga Ro Island – Sung Sot Cave – Titop Island is the most popular.
For a day trip in Halong Bay, you should consider Ngoc Sail Cruise, Genesis Day Cruise, Estella Premium Day Cruise, Paradise Luxury Day Cruise, etc
9. Explore Sun World Halong Park
Whatever your preference, you’re sure to have moments of fun at Sun World Halong Park, a famous world-class entertainment complex in Northern Vietnam. The park can be visited year-round, but it’s best to visit from May to September.
The park is located right in the city center, just a short walk from the Bai Chay area. It consists of 3 main areas: Queens Gondola and Mystic Mountain, Dragon Park, and Typhoon Water Park. Here, you can do many water sports, thrilling games with different difficulties, and extreme experiences such as mysterious journeys, tornado dances, and reptile legions. Ticket price is 750,000 VND – 550,000 VND/adult or child over 1.3m tall and under 1.3m respectively.
10. Have fun at King Kong Amusement Park on Tuan Chau Island
Tuan Chau Island is the jewel of Quang Ninh province, with Tuan Chau Park or Kongo Park, a major entertainment destination. The highlight of the park is attractive games such as slides, mini trains, spinning wheels, and roller coasters. What’s more interesting is that at this water park, you also have the opportunity to watch wonderful performances of dolphins and seals.
Tuan Chau Beach has a long and beautiful coastline and is also great for swimming, lounging, kayaking, windsurfing, and jet skiing. In addition, if you like to play golf, there is a 27-hole international standard golf course on the island.
11. Watch water music performance at Tuan Chau Island
Watching water music performance is one of the interesting nightlife activities on Tuan Chau Island, a 30-minute drive from the mainland. The 40-minute program includes many impressive musical performances shaped by water and fire under vivid lights.
The show is huge and can accommodate up to 12,000 seats. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 250,000 VND/person, depending on the location.
12. Visit Halong Night Market
One of the best ways to soak up the local atmosphere is to take a stroll around Halong Night Market. It’s a complex of more than 300 stalls selling everything from clothes and souvenirs to local food. Perhaps the best part of this market is sampling the local specialties, namely grilled squid, horseshoe crab, and nodding cake.
The night market has a lively atmosphere and is relatively safe, but you still need to pay attention to your personal belongings. Also, don’t forget to bargain for better prices on items.
Handicrafts in the Halong market
13. Taste local seafood and specialties
Halong Bay is considered a top destination for fresh seafood and a variety of local specialties. It is famous for ‘cha much (grilled minced seafood), ‘sam’ (horseshoe crab), oysters, ‘swan’ (Australia corrugated), etc which can be purchased at any local market. Moreover, you also have the opportunity to taste strange dishes such as nodding cake, sa sang (sipunculid nudes), or delicious Halong yogurt.
14. Visit Quang Ninh Museum
If you are a culture lover or do not like outdoor activities, the Quang Ninh Museum is your favorite attraction. The museum has a unique black exterior modeled with coal, which is a unique feature of Quang Ninh province.
The museum consists of three floors. The first floor displays exhibitions about the sea and nature. The second floor is where cultural relics and archaeological artifacts are kept, and the third floor is the historical value of the coal mining industry. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm. The ticket price is only 40,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child.
15. Visit the 3D Funny Art Halong Museum
3D Funny Art Halong Museum is another great choice for museum lovers. It is located inside Ocean Plaza Shopping Center in Halong City.
The museum includes many beautiful and lively artifacts with different themes such as parodies, aquariums, adventure, animals, etc. Families with children especially love coming to this attraction to take pictures and enjoy exhibitions. The ticket price is about 80,000 VND per person.
16. Join team-building at Bai Chay
Man-made Bai Chay Beach is a tourist-friendly beach off the coast of Halong Bay. Many accommodation and entertainment facilities have been built around the beach, making it a favorite destination, especially for team-building events.
When coming here, you can not only swim in the cool water but also participate in various activities such as surfing, cycling, and drinking. In addition, enjoying seafood and delicacies at nearby restaurants is also a great choice for you and your group.
17. Bai Chay bridge
Bai Chay cable-stayed bridge is a symbol of the modernization and rapid development of Halong City and Quang Ninh province. So don’t miss the chance to take a great photo of the bridge when it’s lit up.
The bridge is 435m long, connecting Hon Gai and Bai Chay areas on Highway 18. With an impressive design, Baizhai Bridge is a familiar check-in point for tourists as well as locals.
Beautiful night view of Baizhai. Bridge
18. Visiting Ba Vang Pagoda
Located in the west of Uong Bi city, Ba Vang Pagoda dates back to 1676 during the reign of King Le Du Tong. Ba Vang Pagoda occupies a large area and plays an important role in Vietnamese beliefs, attracting thousands of pilgrims every year.
The most notable feature of the temple is its inner three-door gate as well as a large number of wooden statues and precious antiquities. The best time to visit Ba Vang Pagoda is the first lunar month because this is the festival season and is very busy.
19. Visit Yen Tu Monuments and Scenic Areas
If you are looking for a combination of history, religion, and nature, the ultimate choice is Yantu Scenic and Monuments Area. This site is also one of the most famous religious sites in Vietnam. Within the complex, there are many main attractions such as Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery, Dong Pagoda, Giai Oan Stream, Yen Tu National Forest, and other Buddhist temples. In addition, Yen Tu Mountain is a major destination for hikers to climb to the top and enjoy the panoramic view.
20. Dine at Golden Crab restaurant
Located in a prime location on Phan Chu Trinh 32 Street, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City, Golden Cua Restaurant is one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. This fine dining venue can accommodate a large number of guests (250 guests). The restaurant has 3 floors with an area of 350 square meters. Here you can find a variety of fresh seafood and specialties cooked in wooden pots.
Location: No. 32, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Bai Chay District, Halong City
Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Price: From 500,000 VND/person
Website: Facebook Page
Golden Crab Restaurant – One of the best seafood restaurants in the Halong Bay area
21. Swim at the pristine beach
Halong Bay has pristine beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is surrounded by limestone islands, calm waves, and fresh air.
Some of the best places to swim in Halong Bay are Ba Trai Dao Beach, Titop Beach, Cat Co Beach 1, 2, 3, and Soi Sim Beach. However, these beaches can sometimes get too crowded, especially during peak tourist season.
22. Visiting Halong Flower Park
Located on Le Thanh Tong Street, Bach Dang Ward, Halong City, Halong Flower Park is a favorite place for locals and tourists to have fun and entertain. The park has a large area and features many features such as a central flower square area, a conservation area, and outdoor sports and fitness venues.
In the afternoon, Halong Flower Park attracts most visitors to watch the sunset, exercise, and take beautiful pictures.
23. Discover Cat Ba Island
Along with Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island is a hidden gem that has seen an increase in tourist arrivals in recent years, especially for nature lovers. Most of the island’s area is Cat Ba Island National Park, where there are many dense forests, rich flora and fauna, and many different wild species. A visit to Cat Ba Island can give you a chance to see the endemic yellow-headed langur.
It’s ideal to visit Halong Bay and then take the speed ferry to Cat Ba Island. Here, you can participate in many activities such as swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and climbing
24. Go snorkeling or scuba diving
Snorkeling is one of the most exciting underwater activities in Halong Bay that you should not miss. The emerald waters of the bay are blessed with amazing marine life. You will find hundreds of coral reefs and marine species that contribute to the rich marine biodiversity.
It is best to enjoy snorkeling and diving trips at Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, Cong Do area, Vung Ha Island, and Co To Island. You can combine a snorkeling/snorkeling trip with a stay at a rustic resort on Cat Ba Island.
25. Watch the sunset from the Fort
Cannon Fort, a historical site on Cat Ba Island, is a famous sunset viewing spot. The site is located on a hill at an altitude of 177 meters. Be in awe of the breathtaking panoramic views of Cat Ba Island as you take a 30-minute walk through narrow jungle paths to Kanno Fort. The incredible views aside, you’ll get a glimpse of a former war zone and its remains. The entrance ticket price is 40,000 VND/per person.
Watch the sunset from Cat Ba Island fortress
26. Climbing Bach Thu
Climbing the poetic and mysterious Mount Baishou, you will be shocked by the breathtaking scenery. The top of Bai Tho Mountain is an important point for hikers to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. At an altitude of 200 meters, you can easily reach the top within an hour. Remember to bring your hiking essentials and a good camera to capture the incredible beauty of Halong Bay.
Halong Bay is a very famous travel destination in Vietnam. You can enjoy so many things to do in Halong Bay.
Please feel free to contact Annie’s team for more information and make a plan for your trip
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