Sprawling, glittering, mystical Halong Bay is little known by many outside of Southeast Asia, but it is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. No, really. Comprised of almost 2,000 karst peaks which soar into the sky from the turquoise surf below, Halong Bay is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world. It goes without saying that it’s high on the list of any traveller visiting Vietnam. However, if you still need some convincing then here are five reasons you need to get yourself to Halong Bay for your next vacation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Halong Bay is really quite beautiful. If you don’t believe us (or, y’know, Google) then take it from UNESCO, who granted Halong Bay World Heritage Site status in 1999. Its list of rare ecological wonders, prehistoric cities and places of outstanding natural beauty are protected sites of global significance, and Halong Bay is one of them. However, long before it was granted any title or award, Halong Bay has been a place of huge significance for the Vietnamese, for whom it is a sacred site.

What not to miss!

Hang Dau Go

Hang Dau Go is a limestone cave buried in one of Halong’s myriad karsts. The cave consists of three chambers accessed by 90 ascending steps carved into the rock. Completely concealed from the outside, upon entering visitors find themselves in a sprawling cave complex, with ceilings that soar up to 25 metres high, illuminated by ever-so-slightly chintzy multi-coloured lights placed around, to disorientating effect. Though the Hang Dau Go is, for better or worse, tourist-friendly these days, no visitor to the cave will leave disappointed by the many impressive stalactites and stalagmites, which merge to create enormous ghostly columns and have laid the foundation for many an enchanting myth. The complex is regularly frequented by boat tours and major cruise tour companies.

Cat Ba

Neighbouring Cat Ba is a veritable tourist attraction in and of itself. A small island located off the coast of the bay, Cat Ba is a popular spot for day-trippers thanks to its three beaches and national park. The national park is home to a range of rare animals and plants, some of which are only found in the region, and hours of entertainment can be had at watching the famous Cat Ba monkeys making off with tourists’ ill-advised packed lunches. As Cat Ba’s reputation as a holiday destination grows, so too does its strip of hotels and restaurants, which serve up reasonably priced local seafood with a view of the sea. You’ll also find somewhat of a nightlife, with a few choice bars up a hill between the beaches and the strip, where you’ll find a perfect spot for sunset watching.

Co To Island

Shhhh… Co To island is one of Halong’s most treasured secrets. Despite the relative fame and attention Halon Bay receives in recent years, Co To island has still somehow managed to keep its beauty from the masses, and so you won’t find the crowds that you will at other Halong beauty spots during peak times. Hire a boat from either Cat Ba or Halong Bay and make your own way there for ultimate privacy, or join one of the few small tours that visit during peak season. Once there, visitors can spend the day swimming or snorkelling around the 40-odd islets, enjoying the postcard-worth coastline and even grabbing a bite of fresh, cheap seafood in one of the small number of local restaurants dotted around.

Food

Mouth still watering? Halong Bay’s position on the water means that it, as well as the surrounding areas iconic amongst seafood lovers the world over. Lobsters, prawns, shellfish, as well as fish and squid all thrive here, and are served fresh from the sea in restaurants lining the bay, waiting to be washed down with a cool local beer. The best protocol in this region is to head to one of the many shore-lined “hải sản” restaurants, where you will be usually allowed to pick your dinner straight from the tank!

What to eat!

Halong Squid Sausage

Possibly Halong’s most famous dish, Halong squid sausage is a well-known and loved dish from the northern stretches of Hai Van to the southern swell of the Mekong Delta. The secret is the fresh squid, an abundant feature of the bay’s turquoise waters, which is then minced, seasoned, a small amount of sticky rice is added and then the patties are shallow fried. They have a salty, savoury taste and a satisfyingly meaty texture, and are served with fresh herbs, lime and often a salty, fishy dipping sauce.

Sea Snail

Snails, often referred to as Oc in Vietnamese (as are other tasty crustaceans), are favoured similarly to lobsters and oysters in Halong cuisine. Their availability and sweet, nuanced flavour makes them a popular treat in and around Vietnam, though it is send that some of the best live in the shallow waters of Halong Bay. The most popular way of eating sea snails is pan fried with shallots, garlic and chilli sauce and served with steamed rice, though a sweet-spicy southern style is also popular (and a great beer snack).

Halong Bay Lobsters

You may be thinking – why start with snails when lobster is around the corner? Well, the most important lesson to be learned regarding Vietnamese cuisine is that the simplest, most humble dish is often the tastiest. In Vietnam, lobsters aren’t afforded the high status they enjoy in the west, but that doesn’t mean they’re treated with less respect. Lobsters are native to the waters of Halong Bay and can be found in numerous eateries, served steamed, fried with salt, as a salad, and so on. However, steamed is the most popular way of serving Halong lobster as it maintains its natural sweetness and keeps the delicious flesh tender. It is then usually decorated with onions and herbs and accompanied with soy or fish sauce.

Mythology

A place as ancient and unusual as Halong Bay is bound to conjure up a complex tapestry of mythology. Knowing and understanding the legends surrounding Halong Bay add to the romance of the place, and give a more rounded image of the significance that the region has to Vietnamese. Some of the myths surrounding Halong Bay don’t even take place in the region. For instance, Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem, the lake in the very centre of Hanoi (around 150 kilometres away from Halong Bay) is revered for its reputation as the home of a turtle that equipped provided the sword that protected Halong Bay from invaders.

One of the most famous myths regarding the formation of Halong Bay is set during Vietnam’s very formation, some 3,000 years ago. The Vietnamese founding fathers were thought to be fighting an invasion from the north sea, when dragons were sent in for protection. These dragons certainly did their job, blowing fire over the enemy before spitting turquoise, emerald and jade as a barrier to the outside, creating the gorgeous karsts that stand today.

The individual grottoes and caves have their own myths. Heavenly Cave, The Cave of Knives and Surprise Cave all earned their names from ancient legends. The most famous of these is arguably Virgin Cave at Bo Hon Island, known locally as Trinh Nu Cave. Legend claims that a beautiful, young, but destitute woman took her own life in the cave, unable to return home after being forced to marry an old Mandarin. Here, her body turned into stone, although differing accounts suggest that fishermen who found her body buried her here, building a small shrine inside the grotto.

Accessibility

One of the greatest things about Halong Bay is how easy it is to access. From Hanoi, it’s just a four-hour drive, and scores of public and private buses go all depart Hanoi until about mid-afternoon. Head to any hotel, hostel or travel agent in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (of which there are many to choose from) to book a tour to Cat Ba or Halong Bay, where you’ll be able to travel between the two. A return bus ticket to either destination usually goes for around 25 USD return (November 2019), and tours around the bay can be anything from 7 USD including lunch, to luxury boat tours lasting for a few days of around 2-300 USD and beyond. Shopping around beforehand can save you big bucks here, as can traveling outside of typical tourist periods.

Ride aboard a Traditional Junk

Visiting Halong Bay without taking a boat tour is like visiting Naples without sampling a pizza, or visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa without pretending to hold it up. Taking a boat ride around Halong Bay isn’t just a means to an end; it’s an end in and of itself. Day trips and overnight tours are both available, though if you have the time, we recommend going for it and spending a few days bobbing up and down around some of the most glittering water you have ever seen, in a comfortable (and usually fully modern) junk boat. The standard fare offers dark oak furniture, a kitchen (usually meals are included on board with your ticket), and usually a roof deck for chilling and (when the weather permits) sunbathing.

Some of the more modern or luxurious boats can offer quite a bit more. Think five-star bedrooms, hot tubs, libraries you name it, someone will have put it on a boat. As tourism to Halong Bay and the rest of Vietnam has increased, so too has the demand for boat trips around the bay. This has resulted in a larger choice of boat, itinerary, price-range and so on, making the experience far more customisable and tourist-friendly than it was but a few years ago.

Who to go with?

Orchid Cruise

Orchid Cruises is one of the biggest players in the Halong Bay boat tour game, and with good reason. Competitive pricing, reliable tours and great customer service make Orchid a great option for those looking for a comfortable and luxurious tour around Halong Bay. Offering several alternative routes around the bay, the guides know a thing or two about missing the crowds, and will gladly point out the bay’s most famous points, including the dog island and the famous “chopstick”. The boats are equipped with 14 bedrooms, all with views of the water, hot showers, private balconies and even a hot tub!

One day tours go for around 200 USD (November 2019), but to get a better deal, take a loved one and share a room overnight at 250 USD per room (during peak season).

Daiichi Travel

Daiichi travel are a well-established bus and tour service from Hanoi to Cat Ba island. Your 25 USD (November 2019) ticket includes a friendly tour guide, a boat tour, a bottle of water, lunch (with local and vegetarian options), an air-conditioned bus and hotel drop off. It is also possible to book a variety of tours of both Cat Ba and Ha Long Bay with Daiichi online or at their office in the Old Quarter by Ma May.

Indochina Legend

A tried and tested tour operator in South East Asia, Indochina Legend are a well-managed tourism company with tours all over the region. Their Halong Bay tour is longer than most, lasting for four days and three nights, covering all of the top sites and a tour of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, which makes it a great option for those with limited time. And, at 320 USD (November 2019) per person, we would argue it is a good option for those with limited budget, too (as food and board is also included). Whilst in Halong Bay, you will get to delve a little deeper into the culture of Halong Bay than on other tours, getting the chance to visit remote fishing villages and have a go at night fishing. Cooking classes, pearl farming and kayaking are also offered depending on your ticket (or can be purchased at extra cost).

So, there you have it! For more Southeast Asian tips, tricks, tales and tourist information, keep your eye on this section of Today Community.