About Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay has been declared as world heritage by UNESCO. The bay is a body of water of about 1,500 sq. kilometers in the northern part of Vietnam with a long coastline of 120 kilometers. The bay is known for its high terrestrial biodiversity. It features over 1000 beautiful limestone karsts and islands of different shapes and sizes. The bay is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

How to reach Ha Long Bay

Tourists generally visit the place on pre-purchased tours from Hanoi. The best way to reach Ha Long is to rent a car from Hanoi airport. You can also take a tourist open bus. Bus service from Nanning is also available.

Sites to visit during your tour to Ha Long Bay

Ha Long has become one of the most popular and sought after holiday destination of Vietnam. People around the world come to this bay to explore its stunning natural scenic beauty. Get a ticket from the department of Ha Long Bay management. They give 2 options;

Thien Cung Grotto, Dau Go Cave, and other sites
Sung Sot Cave and other sites

You must visit Su Tu Bien Islet on the route to Thien Cung Grotto and Dau Go Cave.

Things that you must not miss at Ha Long Bay

You must not miss visiting caves, kayaking, island stopovers, bike riding amongst paddy fields, swimming, climbing Titov Mountain. You should taste the flavor of local dishes, seafood including mussels, shrimp and su fish, and rice dishes.

Thing to remember

Here are the 3 things which you should keep in mind while traveling to Ha Long Bay.

Hire English speaking guide for one-day tour to Ha Long
Don’t forget to keep your own bottle of water, if you are on the boat
Don’t forget to buy your trip cancellation insurance, because if you cancel your trip, you can get your money back. Online car insurance companies usually sell trip cancellation insurance. You can buy yours from any of them.

Ha Long Bay – the name itself is a travel-invitation. If you are a passionate traveler, you will love to explore the gorgeous bay. It is a must-see for every Vietnam tourist.

In 2009, Vietnam’s Halong Bay was included on a list of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. The beauty to be found in the 600 square miles of water and nearly 3,000 islands justifies the accolade. It truly is a wondrous place, with its roots in magic and mythology. Halong Bay means, literally, ‘descending dragon bay’, relating to the legend that tells of divine help against vicious invaders. Story tells that, thousands of years ago, the Gods sent a family of dragons to protect the locals. The islands themselves are the jewels and jade that came forth from their mouths as ammunition!

STUNNING

The rhetoric adds to the majesty of the bay itself. Do yourself a favor and book some cheap international flights and explore the 75 mile coastline by water. You can take out small kayaks and paddle yourself through the caves of the ‘karsts’ to get a close-up view. These limestone, tree-covered islands have taken tens of millions of years to form and rise steeply and eclectically from the water. Alternatively, you can one of the all-inclusive cruises on one of the larger boats; taking excursions, eating great food and letting the captain and crew take the strain. These trips can be booked for just one day, or up to over a week in some cases.

ENVIRONMENT

This rich environment, in the Quang Ninh province of north eastern Vietnam, has been populated by humans since around 16,000 BC, and is now home to a spectacular array of floral and fauna. It boasts 14 endemic species of plants and flowers and a further 60 animals native to the area. The locals are friendly and many of them live on the water itself. The bay is dotted with a number of floating ‘fishing villages’. Their inhabitants work in the bay to harvest the waters, which are inhabited by an estimated 200 species of fish.

TRANSFERS

Finding cheap airfares to Vietnam is relatively easy these days. Once you arrive at Hanoi airport, the bay is around two hours away by taxi. The cost will be around $80 to $120 one-way for the 100 mile journey, so is expensive. You can find cheaper local options. Hiring a private car is less than a taxi ride, but can still cost up to $80. The local bus service is the cheapest option, costing around $5. However, it can take up to six hours to complete. If expense is not an issue, there is also a helicopter service from Hanoi

CLIMATE

The climate is tropical, so expect the summer months to be spent avoiding downpours and changing excursion plans. Perhaps the best time to go is from February to April when the weather is cooler and drier. Locals wrap up from head-to-toe, but the temperatures are still warm during the day and you’ll only need a coat for the evenings. Fog is common this time of the year and can often spoil the view. However, the sight of Halong Bay covered in fog is still a sight to behold.

Dissecting the city center, the Perfume River is around 30km in length and owes its name to its path through aromatic forests.

Since earlier this year, Perfume River Emotion has offered tourists a chance to spend two days on the river and experience the city’s more off the beaten track destinations, eco-tourism and local daily life.

The river, with its shimmering blue limpid color, is like a pearl in the sun. Dotted with rowing boats, the citadel, town, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples, the poetic landscape has long mesmerized travelers.

Our charming overnight junk cruises were inspired by the daily lives of fishermen plying the river, said Hoang Trong Hai, director of the Perfume River Emotion Company.

“How to conserve the magnificence of the river as well as promote its beauty to the world is our most important mission,” he added.

Tourists first visit then embark from the Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, often the subject of folk songs and regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital.

Along the route, tourists can stop off at fishing villages and Sinh Village well known for its ceremonial folk paintings. During its annual traditional festival, visitors to the village can also participate in a wrestling competition.

Thuy Bieu Village, 6.5km from the city center, nestling in thanh tra (a kind of small grapefruit) gardens, is an additional must-see destination.

Seen on the map, Thuy Bieu Village, surrounded by the Perfume River, resembles the water gourd from which the area derived its name.

Tourists are additionally offered a chance to take part in thanh tra farm activities and sample the fruit, walk or cycle through green rice fields and visit families employed in producing incense.

After lunch, served in old wooden houses, guests may relax by steeping their feet in medicinal waters or enjoy massages delivered by blind people.

The virtues of the sweet-and-sour thanh tra, used as ingredient in many Hue specialties, will be on show via a special evening cooking class onboard.

Floating slowly down the Perfume, tourists will be lulled by the folk songs of boat women before waking to a magnificent sunrise.

“Moments onboard a boat cruising the Perfume River are truly unforgettable,” said Viviane Castelli from Cannes, France.

“We especially enjoyed the slow descent of waves, the bike rides through villages and rice fields. The food was exceptional and well worth reproducing back home,” she said.

“The boat was very well equipped. In short, it was an enchanting journey.”

(source: vietnamnet.vn)

Because of its spectacular scenery, Ha Long Bay is renowned for cruise tours which gently patrol the waters and open up a panorama of the region’s natural beauty. The Vietnamese cruise junks are artfully designed in an Indochina style and feature decorative ornamentation throughout its restaurants, air-conditioned bedrooms and communal spaces. Suites and balconies line the decks for uninterrupted views of the bay. Throughout the cruise, itinerary is planned for kayaking the crystal waters of the bay, snorkeling, fishing, exploring famous caves and visiting local fishing villages. On such travel excursions, it is always important to have travel insurance for your protection.

With hundreds of islands protruding the waters, the mountainous island of Cat Ba is the biggest island in Ha Long Bay. This island is a tropical paradise landscaped with white sands, caves and limestone peaks, which rise high from the verdant greenery. As you cruise to the island of Cat Ba, you’ll pass the towering karst islands that feature the Dau Nguoi Islet and Tam Cung Cave. Here you can visit the famed Thien Cung Cave. Upon entering the narrow gate, the grotto’s long girth opens up magnificent view of stalactite. Along the east wall, there are artistic pictures with characters of heroic tales. During the cruise, you’ll get to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay. Stop in for a swim at the Soi Sim Beach and visit the fish farms of Cho Da, Co Don, Dinh Huong and Ga Choi.

Caves emerge everywhere along the Ha Long Bay and decorate the islands in a masterpiece of natural art. The cave at Ba Ham Lake is located on the Dau Be Island. As you approach the island, orchids, banyans and cycads line the coast. The island is also home to yellow-haired monkeys and flying squirrels. Enclosed by vertical cliffs, three pits are gathered through a meandering tunnel. Inside the cave, descending stalactites boast a rainbow of shining colors.

Bo Hon Island is another large island in Ha Long Bay renowned for its splendid beauty. In a picturesque scene of vertical cliffs forming a citadel wall and lush vegetation paints a pastoral scene. The popular grottoes of Surprise, Virgin, Male and Luon are located on this island. Decorated in cycads and orchids, the island is home to deer, monkeys and chamois.

With its blue waters and scenic grottoes, the Ha Long Islands are a cornucopia of natural wonder.

Seven of Vietnam’s top hotels and resorts gained recognition in the 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, published by one of the world’s most renowned travel publication, Conde Nast Traveler.

The country’s resorts which made the greatest impression on travellers were Life Heritage Resort Hoi An, The Nam Hai, La Residence Hotel & Spa Hue and Evason Hideaway, which each scored top-20 finishes in the Asian region. Only one other Asian destination – Bali – boasted as many resorts in the top-20 list.

In the hotel category, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City each ranked among Asia’s top 100. The Majestic in Saigon ranked among the top 125 hotels.

The Readers’ Choice Awards polled 28,876 responses from readers who rated resorts and hotels across a range of categories, including food and dining, location and overall design.

With its top-20 finish, La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue earned its first listing in the vaunted Readers’ Choice Awards. Life Heritage Resort Hoi An again cracked the top 10, claiming the No. 9 spot on a list that included a Four Seasons hotel at No. 10.

None of Vietnam’s cities made the grade as one of Asia’s top 10 city destinations, though Luang Prabang in Laos came in at No. 8. Likewise, none of Vietnam’s islands won a place in the top 10.

The Italian Embassy in Hanoi introduced Italy-Vietnam Cultural Week, part of the Italy-Vietnam progromme 2011, at a press conference in Hanoi on Oct. 19.

The week, taking place from Oct. 14-22, aims to increase mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Italy , through many cultural, sporting, fashion and music activities, Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni said.

Within the framework of the week, the “Festival of European Language” was held on Oct. 14-15, and a fashion show will take place on Oct. 22.

A conference to promote and seek markets for craft village products was jointly held on October by the Vietnam Craft Village Association (VCVA) and the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Industry and Trade.

Vietnam now has nearly 3,000 craft villages producing a wide range of handicrafts including pottery, lacquerware, and wood and stone carvings.

The VCVA said Vietnamese handicrafts are exported to 160 countries around the world, earning a total revenue of US$3 billion so far in 2011.

Many craft villages also attract a large number of tourists, which contributes significantly to local socioeconomic development.

Participants at the conference agreed that craft villages now face fierce competition from industrial products, unstable markets, and a lack of skilled workers and capital for further investment.

Residents of craft villages should restructure the village, do more market research and work closely their customers to adapt their product designs and iron out snags in production.

The State should also create preferential policies to support craft villages such as holding training courses for local people.

Since the global vote for New7Wonders of Nature launched in August 2007, Viet Nam’s Ha Long Bay has received the active support of people throughout the country and the international community. Up to this time, Ha Long Bay has listed in 28 “Official Finalist Candidates” of the vote.

Through the promotion programs and activities on the mass media which have been carried out under the direction of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, many people from all over the world have known about Ha Long Bay’s extreme beauty and marvel and voted it as one of the seven new wonders of the nature.

In response to the campaign, from now to the end of November 10, 2011, the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) mobilizes the vote for Ha Long Bay as one of the seven new wonders of the nature in the final phase. Accordingly, all organizations, officials and employees in the tourism-related fields; all people throughout the country and over the world together to vote for Ha Long Bay via website: www.new7wonders.com, or messages by cell phones with content “halong” and sending to 147.

The New7Wonders Foundation will officially announce seven place-names with the highest number of votes on November 11, 2011.

On October, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a press conference on culture, sports and tourism activities in the first nine months of 2011, and focus tasks in the last three months of 2011.

Regarding tourism, in the first nine months of 2011, the number of international arrivals from most of markets increased over the same period of 2010 (Cambodia up by 59.2%, China: 44.9%, and Malaysia: 12.2%). As estimated, total international arrivals in 9 months reached 4.3 million representing a 15.5% growth over the same period of 2010. In 2011, the VNAT set a target to welcome from 5.3 to 5.5 million of international tourists and more than 30 million of domestic ones.

In the last three months, the VNAT will focus on steering the organization of the remaining activities in Phu Yen National Tourism Year 2011, preparation of Hue National Tourism Year 2012, and actively participate in the voting campaign for Halong Bay to be one of new seven wonders of the world.

Diwali – “Festival of Lights,” one of India’s biggest festivals, will be held in Hanoi on October 29.

The event is co-organized by the Indian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Indian embassy in Hanoi.

The Diwali festival has become a popular cultural feature in the capital over the past several years, and has grown larger every year.

Last year, the festival welcomed more than 1,200 visitors from government officers, entrepreneurs, cultural agencies and the expat community in Hanoi.

This year, a special cultural programme is scheduled during the festival including Indian music and dances, fashion shows, and games. There will also be pavilions featuring Indian culture, handicrafts and culinary arts to entertain visitors.