Ha Long: 2-3 days exploring the bay, caves, and cuisine.

Ha Long is suitable for a 2-3 day trip: from Hanoi, it takes about 2-2.5 hours via the Hai Phong - Ha Long expressway, or you can fly to Van Don airport and then travel another 50km. The best time to visit is from April to August. Notable experiences include cruising Ha Long Bay, kayaking, visiting Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave, swimming at Bai Chay beach, and sightseeing the bay from a seaplane. Recommended local dishes include: handmade squid cake, sea worms, horseshoe crab, sea cucumber, and stir-fried snails with spicy sauce.

Discover Ha Long Bay: bays, fishing villages, museums, and the sea.

Ha Long Bay covers an area of ​​1,553 square kilometers with approximately 1,900 limestone islands of varying sizes and is recognized by UNESCO as a world natural wonder. Popular stops along the bay include Dragon Eye Island, Ti Top Island, Toad Island, Jade Vung Island, and Sung Sot Cave.

• Cua Van fishing village: follow the rhythm of the fishermen's life, experience fishing, squid catching, rowing, and enjoy seafood right on the boat.
• Tuan Chau Island: amusement park, water music show; plus a newly opened dinosaur park attracting young visitors.
• Quang Ninh Museum: a "miniature Quang Ninh" model, a space showcasing the culture of the mining region and a popular check-in spot.
• Bai Chay Beach: an artificial beach near the bay, with clear water and fine sand stretching nearly 1,000m, convenient for swimming and strolling.
• Bai Tho Mountain: Climbing is temporarily suspended for safety reasons; sightseeing and viewing of the area below is possible, but it is necessary to check with local authorities before going.
• Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay: pristine, unspoiled landscapes; ideal for kayaking, photography, and those who appreciate tranquility.
• Ha Long Old Town and Ha Long Night Market: stroll around, buy handicrafts, wind chimes made from seashells; many seafood stalls and snacks.

What to eat in Ha Long

• Hand-pounded squid patties: golden, crispy patties; can be purchased from establishments owned by people from Ha Long such as Ba Kien, Lang Chai, and Hien Nhung.
• Stir-fried snails with soy sauce: stir-fried with coriander, dried coconut, and lime leaves; crispy, rich, and moderately spicy.
• Steamed mud crabs: the bigger, the more meat; besides steaming, they can also be stir-fried with tamarind, grilled over charcoal, or stir-fried with vermicelli.
• Sea worms: You can enjoy sea worms that are crispy when stir-fried, grilled, stir-fried with kohlrabi, or battered and deep-fried.
• Grilled oysters with scallion oil: rich, fragrant with the aroma of scallions; sprinkled with crushed peanuts when cooked.
• Sea cucumbers: there are various ways to prepare them, such as stir-fried sea cucumber legs with sweet and sour sauce, crispy fried sea cucumber eggs, steamed sea cucumber, grilled sea cucumber cartilage, etc. Remember to choose a reputable establishment.
• Mudworm patties: available in early winter; crispy outer shell, served with vermicelli and mixed vegetables.
• Tài lồng ệp: a fragrant, chewy cake made from glutinous rice, regular rice, rock sugar, and molasses by the San Diu people.
• Seafood noodle soup: a light and sweet broth, firm mantis shrimp, dried shrimp, and chewy squid cake.

Getting to and from Ha Long

How to get to Ha Long

• By car/bus: From Hanoi via the Hanoi – Ha Long expressway, the journey takes approximately 2–2.5 hours. Bus ticket: 100,000–200,000 VND/person.
• By plane: You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City, with an estimated price of 300,000–900,000 VND/person (depending on the time and airline), landing at Cat Bi or Van Don airport and then continuing your journey to Ha Long; from Van Don, it's about 50km further.
• Motorbikes: travel time 4–5 hours; wear a helmet with a visor, long-sleeved shirt, and maintain an appropriate speed.

Getting around the city

• Buses: numerous routes connect attractions; average price 7,000–10,000 VND/trip.
• Electric trams: 5 routes departing from Bai Chay area or city center; price 500,000–900,000 VND/trip; operating hours 7:00–22:00.
• Taxi fares range from approximately 5,000 to 11,000 VND per kilometer, depending on the company and distance.
• Motorbike taxis: always ask for the price before you ride.

Suggested accommodation

Ha Long offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly to luxury. A noteworthy suggestion is Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long on Reu Island, designed with inspiration from French theaters; all rooms offer sea views, and the resort features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a pool bar, and 5-star standard restaurants.

Suggested itinerary

3 days 2 nights

• Day 1: Arrive in Ha Long, check into hotel; in the afternoon, take a boat tour of the bay; in the evening, stroll around the city/night market.
• Day 2: Morning: Enjoying activities in Tuan Chau; Afternoon: Swimming at Bai Chay beach; Evening: Old Quarter/Night Market.
• Day 3: Morning: Go to the seafood market; noon: Check out of the hotel.

2 days 1 night

• Day 1: Arrive and check into your hotel; in the afternoon, explore Tuan Chau Island; in the evening, have dinner on a floating restaurant or stroll through the old town.
• Day 2: Morning: Explore Ha Long Bay by boat; check out at noon and return home.

1 day

• 8:30 AM: Depart for Ha Long.
• 12:00 PM: Take a boat tour of the bay, have lunch on board; visit Thien Cung Cave, Dog Stone Island, Incense Burner Island, Fighting Cock Island, Cua Van fishing village…
• 4:30 PM: The ship docked, we got on the bus to go back.

Reference cost

• Transportation: Hanoi – Ha Long bus: 100,000–200,000 VND/person; bay sightseeing boat: 340,000 VND/person.
• Getting around the city: taxi/motorbike taxi costs approximately 200,000–500,000 VND per person (depending on the route).
• Accommodation: 200,000–2,500,000 VND/night.
• Food and drinks: 500,000–1,000,000 VND/person.
• Entertainment: 500,000–700,000 VND/person.
• Total estimated cost for a 2-day, 1-night trip: 1,640,000–3,640,000 VND/person.

What to buy as souvenirs?

• Sun-dried squid: 400,000–2,000,000 VND/kg; choose squid that is pink in color, thick-bodied, and feels dry to the touch.
• Ngán wine: it's best to buy it from fishermen or native Hạ Long residents.
• Gật gù cake: eaten with chicken fat stewed with minced meat or fried onions with chili fish sauce.
• Razor clams: approximately 80,000–120,000 VND/kg; it's best to go to Ha Long fish market early in the morning or Cai Dam market.
• Miner's bread: soft, dense, with a buttery and milky aroma; served with condensed milk.

Quick tips

• Best time to visit: April–June is ideal; June–August is peak season, July–August may have low pressure systems/storms. Late November to Tet (Lunar New Year) is the peak season for international tourists, and the atmosphere is quieter.
• Prepare: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, flip-flops, swimwear, identification documents, phone charger, and camera.
• Kayaking: maintain balance, wear a life vest; follow instructions.
• Bai Tho Mountain: climbing is temporarily suspended; check local information before scheduling.