Ha Long Bay
Natural landmark
Located in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of thousands of stunning limestone islands, emerald waters and a rich cultural heritage. Whether you're looking for relaxing cruises with unbeatable scenery or enjoy kayaking, rock climbing and exploring caves, Ha Long Bay has something for everyone.
Translating to "Descending Dragon", Ha long Bay gets its name from Vietnamese folklore where a mother dragon descended from the skies and spat out jewels and jade to protect the land from invaders. It is said that these jewels later turned into islets rising from the emerald waters of the bay.
You can book your visit to Ha Long Bay through a tour operator, or take a bus to Ha Long city or Hai Phong and a taxi to the port. You can also book a 15-minute seaplane ride over the bay for a bird's eye view of the islands.
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Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
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The best of Ha Long Bay
Tickets & Tours
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Klook's choice
Halong Bay Day Tour with Sung Sot and Ti Top by Reina Cruise
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Morning departure
Free cancellation
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€ 25.95
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Ha Long Bay Day Tour with Sung Sot & Titop by Sunlight Grand Cruise
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€ 34.10
€ 34.75
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Ha Long Bay Day Tour & Sung Sot Cave by Hercules Premium Cruise
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€ 35.19
Sun World Ha Long Ticket
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€ 4.99
Halong Bay Day Tour with Sung Sot and Ti Top Island by Otis Cruise
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Hotel pick-up
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€ 29.25
Halong Day Tour & Sung Sot Cave by 5-Stars Classy Ambrose Cruise
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Free cancellation
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€ 40.99
€ 43.75
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[Route 2] Ha Long Day Tour by 5-star Jewels of the Bay Cruise
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€ 30.95
Klook's choice
Halong Bay Day Tour & Ti Top Island Deluxe Cruise by Phoenix Cruiser
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Morning departure
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€ 35.35
€ 45.39
Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay Day Tour by 5-star Taliya Cruise
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€ 46.39
€ 49.29
Halong Bay Day Tour: Titop, Cave with Kayak by Luxury Alova Cruise
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Hotel pick-up
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€ 34.75
Ha Long Bay Day Tour: Ti Top Island by 5-Star Diamond Luxury Cruise
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Hotel pick-up
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€ 41.85
Halong Lyra Grandeur Cruise & Lan Ha Bay Multi-day Cruise Tour
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Free cancellation
€ 200.35
€ 213.59
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Luxe Rental Apartments - Residence A La Carte
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€ 32.58
Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise 2
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€ 343.14
Grand Pioneers Halong Bay Cruise 1
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€ 339.74
Halong Capella Cruise - Member of Lyra Cruise Collection
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€ 314.11
Ambassador Cruise Halong Bay
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€ 281.79
Hyatt Place Ha Long Bay, Bai Chay
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€ 44.96
A La Carte Ha Long Bay Managed by TASECO
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€ 64.45
FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort
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€ 52.55
Novotel Ha Long Bay
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€ 30.41
Tien Thinh Hotel Ha Long- by Bay Luxury
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€ 17.45
Intercontinental Halong Bay Resort By Ihg
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€ 178.29
AE CRUISE HALONG BAY
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€ 219.37
Ha Long Bay Reviews
Klook客路用户
11 May
Jonny Handsome,
Just wanted to say a massive thank you for making our Ha Long Bay tour so amazing! Your knowledge was fantastic, and you made the whole experience so much fun. You really brought the bay to life with your stories and explanations. And the food on the cruise? Seriously delicious!
Thanks again for everything – you're a top guide!
Best,
ms chong.
2+
Rajul ********
11 May
We had a truly unforgettable experience on our Halong Bay trip with Iris Cruise, and much of that was thanks to the outstanding service provided by Mr. Chris. From the very beginning, he made us feel welcome and taken care of. His professionalism, warm hospitality, and attention to detail were remarkable.
Chris went above and beyond to ensure everyone on board was comfortable and enjoying themselves. He was always available to answer questions, offer suggestions, and help with anything we needed. His knowledge of the area added so much depth to our journey, and his genuine passion for what he does was evident throughout.
The itinerary was well-organized, the activities were engaging, and the food on board was delicious — all made even better by Chris’s impeccable service and cheerful attitude.
Thank you, Mr. Chris, for making our Halong Bay trip such a memorable one. We would absolutely recommend Iris Cruise to anyone looking for a top-tier experience, and we hope to sail with you again in the future!
1+
Klook User
11 May
Communication was spot on leading up to the tour. Our guide Toan was in touch the night before to confirm pick up time, place and to provide bus identification details. He also provided updates on the morning of and, once we were all on board, did a good job of outlining the history of Ha Long Bay and the day's planned activities. // The three level boat is very impressive and the buffet lunch more than adequate. All three stops on the cruise were worth the visit. Make sure you pick the optional speedboat ride around the islands! Similarly, if you can handle the 400+ steps up and down again you should definitely climb to the vantage point on Ti Top Island.
2+
Morgan *******
11 May
The food was very good. The staff was very prompt and attentive. We noticed that flags of each person's nationality were at each table but not our table. We later found out it's because they have never had guests from my country, however they did brought us a flag afterwards. There is a music show at the end of the cruise and during the cruise, we had couple stops. I would recommend others to take the trip, especially if you are looking for a clean and nice cruise ship to travel on. They definitely gave the "VIP' treatment.
2+
Jennifer ******
11 May
We had an amazing experience on our Halong Bay cruise! Everything was very organized from start to finish, and our English-speaking tour guide made the entire trip smooth and enjoyable. The ship was clean and well-maintained, the food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly accommodating—they even took extra care of our friend who wasn’t feeling well.
The scenery was absolutely stunning. Halong Bay, Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island were all breathtaking. We also loved the sunset happy hour on the deck—it was the perfect way to end the day.
If we could suggest anything, it would be to include the tour guide in the listed activities, so we can learn more about Halong Bay. This will surely enhance the experience. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Vietnam!
2+
沫 *
11 May
The cruise experience is amazing! The food, service and the stops and views are all not to forget. A huge thank you to our lead Cris for the kind explanation and care given to us. Will definitely recommend to friends and family in the future!
1+
Mahesh *****
11 May
Me and my friend had an amazing time on this day trip to halong bay. Everything was very straightforward and made easy for us. From hotel pick up, lunch buffet, the activities such as exploring caves, kayaking and hiking for amazing views and tea party at the sunset were all included in this package. We also did a speed boat activity which was optional. We had so much fun and thought the price was very fair for the experience. Our tour guide Johnny Mihn was very helpul throughout the day. He is very knowledgeable, kind and humorous. He helped us learn about the history in great details of this must visit place. So, if you’re looking to visit halong bay for a day, i’d say this package is an absolute steal.
1+
Christopher *****
10 May
we were upgraded to limo van as it was a small guest list, the communication was great and easy. we stopped at cnr shop for toilet break, which is also a tourist trap to buy drinks, art work, clothing etc… prices very expensive… everyone had to get off 20-30min. When we got to the cruise terminal everything was well organised and we went straight into the boat, all 7 of us. we had the whole boat to ourselves, and due to small number they prepared a sit down lunch rather than buffet. each destination was good, the caves are massive. it was an overcast day so the beach stop was a touch long but gave us enough time to reach the top of TiTop Island. the cruise was great. we got a limo van back to Hanoi, again the van stopped at the same toilet/coffee stop, everyone was exhausted and just wanted to get back to their Hotel. I understand the driver may also need a short break, but a 10 min stop is plenty, not 20-30 min and this was relayed to the tour operator. on the whole I think the value is there, the boat does show some age and wear and tear, the jacuzzi water was not the cleanest but we didn’t use that facility anyways.
2+
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FAQs about Ha Long Bay
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What to know about Ha Long Bay
Must-Visit Sights in Ha Long Bay
Limestone Karsts and Islets
Hạ Long Bay is renowned for many islands made up of limestone karsts and islets, each uniquely shaped and rising majestically from the emerald waters. These formations have evolved over 500 million years and now serves as a backdrop for local fishermen in their sampan fishing boats and floating houses. The queen cable car at Sun World Ha Long Park in Ha Long City is a great way to get a bird's eye view of the thousands of islands in Ha Long Bay.
Cat Ba and Other Caves and Grottos
Explore the bay's numerous caves, including Hang Dau Go (Wooden Stakes Cave), Thiên Cung (Paradise Cave), Sửng Sốt (Surprise Cave) and Trung Trang Cave near the Cat Ba archipelago. These caves feature impressive stalactites and stalagmites and offer a glimpse into the bay's geological history.
Floating Villages
Visit the floating villages of Cua Van, Ba Hang, Cong Tau, and Vong Vieng. The local Vietnamese people here live on floating houses and sustain themselves through fishing and marine aquaculture, providing a unique cultural experience.
Lan Ha Bay
If you prefer a quieter, lesser known bay then Lan Ha Bay is a good bet. It has white sandy beaches and around 400 limestone islets that are just as appealing as Ha Long Bay.
Culture and History
Hạ Long Bay has a rich historical significance, with evidence of prehistoric human presence dating back tens of thousands of years. The bay has witnessed important events in Vietnamese history, including naval battles and the signing of the Halong Bay Agreements in 1948.
The bay also holds immense cultural importance because of its legendary tale about the time period when the Emperor Viet called the Mother Dragon to protect the people from the invaders arriving from the sea. After defeating the enemy, the emeralds were left behind to protect the country from any future invasions. To commemorate this, the Vietnamese people named the bay "Ha Long", which means "Descending Dragon".
Local Cuisine
You will find plenty of restaurants and cafes serving up delicious eats in Ha Long city. Indulge in the local cuisine, featuring fresh seafood such as cuttlefish, oysters and squids. Don't miss out on trying the unique flavors of dishes like 'ngán', also known as Austriella Clam, and 'cà sáy, a poultry breed with characteristics of both duck and chicken.'
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