1. Overview

Ha Long belongs to Quang Nam province – about 165 km from Hanoi capital and about 70 km from Hai Phong city. This is a city named after Ha Long Bay – a world natural heritage recognized by UNESCO located in the south of the locality. Ha Long city has a total area of ​​1,119.12 km2 with a population of around 322,000 people – as of the first half of 2019.

Possessing a diverse terrain, including islands, coastal areas, mountains and valleys, Ha Long city is known as the northern tourist paradise and a famous tourist destination of Vietnam. Thanks to its favorable location, modern infrastructure, and developed transportation system, each year, Ha Long attracts tens of millions of domestic and international tourists. Whether you Ha Long travel alone or with relatives, you will find a fascinating experience here.

See more in this video:

YouTube video

2. Which season is the most beautiful to travel to Ha Long?

The weather in Ha Long city is divided into two distinct seasons: summer – from May to October – and winter – starting from November to the end of April of the following year. The average annual temperature is 25ºC. Lucky to own a multi-faceted natural carpet that often changes spectacularly, almost any time of the year is a good opportunity to travel to Ha Long. However, we should limit and avoid going during stormy times in July and August.

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3. Experience traveling to Ha Long for tourists

3.1. How to Travel from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Long

You can refer to the suggested means of transportation below to choose the most suitable way to travel.

Means of transportationTimeReference price
Hanoi to Halong
Coach3 hours – 4 hours3.93 USD – 9.42 USD/person/way
Motorbike4 hours – 5 hours6 USD – 8 USD/day for motorbike rental
Private car2 hours – 3 hours104 USD – 195 USD/round trip
Train5 hours – 7 hours2.75 USD – 3.93 USD/person/way
Ho Chi Minh City to Halong
Coach37 hours – 41 hours31.41 USD – 35.33 USD/person/way
Train33 hours – 34 hours28.66 USD – 39.26 USD/person/way
Plane1,5 hours – 2 hours43.19 USD/person/way 

You will arrive at Van Don airport (Quang Ninh). Then take a taxi, motorbike or bus to Ha Long which is very convenient.

 

You can see more guides on: Hanoi To Ha Long Bay: The best journey in Vietnam

3.2. Means of transportation in Ha Long

Regarding transportation when exploring the beautiful scenery in Ha Long, visitors can take a taxi, tour bus, limousine or rent a motorbike. Limousines and taxis are suitable when traveling with families with the elderly and children. For young people who want to travel freely, they can rent a motorbike with prices ranging from 3.93 USD – 7.86 USD/day.

4. Top most attractive Ha Long travel activities?

4.1. Visit famous landmarks

Ha Long Bay: Ha Long Bay is a natural wonder of the world possessing majestic beauty with thousands of islands and mysterious caves, attracting millions of domestic and foreign tourists every year.

Bai Chay Beach: This is an artificial beach in Ha Long that is loved by many tourists with a wide coastline and clean sand suitable for relaxing, sunbathing, taking scenic walks, and organizing team building activities. , stroll in the evening to see the sparkling Bai Chay Bridge

  • Address: Ha Long Street, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

Bai Tho Mountain: A place with virtual living views and beautiful scenery in Ha Long with an altitude of 200m. However, to trekking Bai Tho mountain, visitors need to ask the management board, because climbing the mountain is not possible at all times.

  • Address: Hang Noi Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

Quang Ninh Museum: This place impresses visitors with its unique architecture, ideal for virtual check-in and learning about artifacts of historical value about culture, people as well as the coal mining industry in Quang Ninh.

  • Address: Tran Quoc Nghien Street, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Sun World Park: Sunworld Ha Long is a huge world-class amusement park complex, located right at the Bai Chay tourist area. Sun World Park with many diverse and attractive adventure games. The highlight is admiring the mysterious hill view and riding the Queen cable car.

  • Address: Ha Long street, Bai Chay, Ha Long, Quang Ninh
  • Reference ticket price: from 5.89 USD – 25.52 USD

See more in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1JNeba1cEs

Ha Long Old Town: This place is often described by classic stone streets, brightly colored houses and a coastal character. You can stroll through small streets, explore temples and classical architecture in Ha Long Ancient Town, which represents the religious and spiritual diversity of this region.

  • Address: Ha Long Street, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

Ha Long Night Market: A shopping and dining paradise in Ha Long. Visitors will be able to freely choose souvenirs, eat specialties and many interesting activities.

  • Address: Hoang Quoc Viet street, Hung Thang ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.
  • Opening hours: 17:00 p.m – 23:00 p.m every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cua Van fishing village: This is an ancient fishing village located on Ha Long Bay with mysterious beauty. Coming here, visitors can freely enjoy seafood and participate in many other attractive water activities.

  • Address: Hung Thang commune, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province

If you do not know where to go, what to do or are still confused because it is your first time traveling to Ha Long, do not hesitate to book a Ha Long tour to receive enthusiastic and thoughtful advice from Metta Voyage’s team of professional tour guides. Please! You can experience our Ha Long tours as follows:

Halong Bay Cruise Day Trip

Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night

Halong Bay Day Trip – Join Group Tour

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4.2. Interesting experiences when traveling to Ha Long

Spending the night on a cruise ship: It is a wonderful experience that any tourist wants to try once. Let’s wake up early in the morning and welcome the sunrise in a very special place. Ha Long Cruise will take you to visit beautiful and famous caves such as Hon Trong Mai, Luon Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, Perfume Peak, etc.

ServicePrice Time
Day tour to Ha Long Bay17.67 USD – 29.45 USD/person4 hour – 6 hour/trip, there are many trips a day
Ha Long overnight cruiseFrom 66.74 USD/personFixed schedule

Kayaking: This is the activity most tourists look forward to, rowing a boat in the middle of the water and immersing yourself in the beautiful natural scenery.

Take a seaplane to see Ha Long Bay: Visitors will be able to sit on a seaplane and admire the beautiful panorama of Ha Long Bay from above. This is also an experience worth trying, but the cost is not cheap at all so you should consider it!

Reference experience address: Hai Au seaplane

  • Address: Tuan Chau ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province
  • Tel: (+84) 962 069 689
  • Reference price: from 86.37 USD/person
  • Time: 25 minutes/trip.
  • Website: https://www.seaplanes.vn/en/

4.3. Enjoy delicious specialties

Not only does it fascinate tourists with beautiful scenery, Ha Long cuisine also attracts diners with many delicious specialties. You can enjoy delicious Ha Long dishes such as: banh cuon cha muc, steamed Cu Ky, Sa Sung, Sea Sam, Be Be vermicelli noodles, xoi cha muc, banh gat gu, cha ruoi, oc xao tuong, etc. Suggested locations for delicious restaurants and eateries in Ha Long for your reference:

Ha Long Golden Crab Restaurant

  • Address: No. 32 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

Ha Long Fishing Village culinary restaurant

  • Address: Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province

5. Place to stay when traveling to Ha Long

Accommodation services in Ha Long are very developed with a variety of accommodation types such as motels, hotels, resorts, homestays, and yachts. Each type has different characteristics and prices, below is the average price list for visitors’ reference:

TypeReference priceCustomer’s need
Homestay19.63 USD – 39.26 USD/nightSuitable for travelers who like new experiences and like to follow trends
Guest house,

1 star, 2 star hotels

5.89 USD – 19.63 USD/nightTourists want to save money and travel cheaply
3 star hotel19.63 USD – 47.11 USD/nightSuitable for families with small children/elderly or couples
4 star hotel35.33 USD – 66.74 USD/night
5 star hotel and Resort58.89 USD – 82.45 USD/night Tourists like to relax and unwind
Cruise66.74 USD – 863.73 USD/nightSee Ha Long Bay, relax in a special way – overnight at sea

You should book a hotel room 1-2 months early. Some hotel addresses in Ha Long you can refer to the following suggested accommodations:

Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long

Novotel Ha Long Bay

  • Address: 160 Ha Long Road, Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
  • Tel: (+84) 203 3848 108
  • Standard: 4 stars
  • Reference room price: from 51.86 USD/night.
  • Website: https://novotelhalongbay.com/

Draha Halong Hotel

  • Address: 23 Phu Gia 4 Vinhomes Dragon Bay, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
  • Tel: (+84) 886 697 799
  • Standard: 3 stars
  • Reference room price: from 21.59 USD/night
  • Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/drahahotel/

Additionally, you can also see our guide on: Top 10 Best Halong Bay Hotels For Luxury And Comfortable Stay

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6. Should I choose to travel to Ha Long on my own or go on a tour? Where to book a reputable Ha Long Tour?

Traveling to Ha Long on your own or going on a tour each way has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose 1 of 2 ways to travel according to your preferences and needs.

When traveling on your own, you can go anywhere you want, but you will have the disadvantage of not having a guide and will easily be “cut off” when booking hotels as well as when traveling, eating and drinking, if you don’t know anything about Ha Long and you have to take care of all the schedules, accommodations, and transportation when traveling.

Traveling on a tour in Ha Long, you will be constrained by the time frame and go to pre-planned places. However, going on a tour also has the advantage that you don’t have to worry about prices when booking hotels or meals, and the tour company will cover all costs, schedules, and transportation for you. You should choose to travel by tour if you do not understand Ha Long tourism well.

Dubbed the “Tourism Paradise” in the North, Ha Long offers many attractive tourism services to tourists. Currently, you can refer to and book tours at extremely preferential prices at reputable travel websites or you can book a Ha Long Metta Voyage tour. Check out the most attractive Ha Long tours now:

Hanoi – Halong Bay Classical

Halong Bay Cruise Day Trip

Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night

Halong Bay Day Trip – Join Group Tour

Halong Bay Deeper Exploring on Paradise Elegance Cruises

Explore the beauty of Halong Bay “Descending Dragon”

Discover Hanoi Charms & Halong Bay Cruise – Vietnam 6 Days Tour

7. Conclusion

This is the information about discovering the most detailed Ha Long travel experiences in 2024/2025 that Metta Voyage shares with you. Now you can safely travel to Ha Long with your family or friends! Don’t forget to visit our blog to see many other exciting travel experiences.

8. Contact us

Website: www.mettavoyage.com

Email: [email protected]

Hotline 24/7: + 84 989 383 572