Ha Long Bay

About Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin off the northeastern coast of Vietnam, is one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular natural wonders and an unmissable destination on any Vietnam travel itinerary. The bay's extraordinary landscape — more than 1,600 limestone karst islands and islets rising dramatically from calm emerald-green waters, their sheer cliffs draped in dense jungle vegetation and their bases worn into elegant arches, caves, and sea caves by centuries of wave action — has been drawing awe-struck visitors for centuries and inspired some of the most iconic imagery of Vietnamese tourism. The name Ha Long translates as 'Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea,' referencing the Vietnamese legend that the bay was created by a family of sacred dragons sent by the gods to protect Vietnam from invaders, whose thrashing tails gouged the landscape into its spectacular labyrinthine formation of towers and islets. The definitive way to experience Ha Long Bay is aboard a traditional wooden junk boat cruise — from intimate two-day overnight excursions to luxurious three-night voyages aboard boutique floating hotels — drifting through the mist-wrapped karsts at dawn, exploring hidden lagoons and secret beaches only accessible by kayak, visiting the stalactite-filled Sung Sot Cave, and watching the extraordinary light of golden hour transform the limestone towers into a dreamlike seascape. Beyond the main bay, the less-visited Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast and the island-dotted waters of Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba Island offer equally stunning scenery with significantly fewer crowds. Kayaking, rock climbing, cycling on Cat Ba Island, and visiting the floating fishing villages that have existed on these waters for generations complete an outstanding Ha Long Bay travel experience that represents some of the finest scenery and most unique accommodation in all of Asia.

Highlights