27 Best things to do in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Your trip to Vietnam might not be over if you haven't yet visited Halong Bay - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Let's find out why it's worth visiting this bay with these 27 best things to do in Halong Bay and Halong City, Vietnam!

1. Sung Sot Cave (Surprises Cave)

Sung Sot Cave should be the must-visit destination when you are in Halong Bay. It is the largest cave and also the most renowned, the most visited of all. The cave measures around 1,000 square metres and consists of thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. As typical karst caves, Sung Sot also has great scientific value. Located on Bo Hon Island in the centre of Halong Bay, the cave is covered with a layer of countless "light beams" suspended with shimmering stalactites, a "velvet carpet" and stone statues. For such values, Sung Sot Cave is one of the favourite places to visit in Halong Bay.

2. Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Halong Bay. It is home to many hotels, restaurants, and bars. Located off the city of Hai Phong, it has clean beaches (named Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2) ideal for sunbathing and swimming during the summer. And if you're not a fan of crowds, you can head to Monkey Island where the beaches are cleaner and quieter, and you can rent a kayak or charter a speedboat there.

>> Read more: Cat Ba, the pearl island in the Gulf of Tonkin

3. Dau Be Island and National Park

Dau Be Island is famous for Ba Ham Lake which is a system consisting of 3 large ocean basins. Inside the cave, there are many stalactites on the ceiling which create strange shapes and sizes. The island is home to many species of orchids, banyan trees, and palm trees. There are also many golden monkeys, bats, flying squirrels, birds, and flowers that bloom throughout the year.

4. Me Cung Cave

Me Cung Cave (or Labyrinth Cave), as whimsical and attractive as its name, is one of the many famous attractions in Halong Bay. The entrance resembles a house roof that digs deep into the slopes of the island. Inside, you might feel like you've entered a king's grand palace.

With the light shining from outside, the stalactites make the cave sparkle like in heaven. In addition, the blue waters of Me Cung Lake inside the cave also create the scenic beauty of nature.

>> Read more: The top 6 most beautiful caves to visit in Halong Bay

5. Monkey Island

Monkey Island is a famous popular tourist attraction in the region. It is an ideal destination for swimming in the blue water. And the existence of numerous monkeys is, of course, the highlight of the island. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to take photos or comfortably frolic with monkeys on branches. Apart from the monkeys, the bungalows on the island will provide tourists with unforgettable moments.

6. Virgin Cave (Hang Trinh Nu)

The Virgin Cave or Hang Trinh Nu probably has the most moving legend about the love behind its name. Inside the cave, you can find a shrine dedicated to the woman who is a symbol of pure and eternal love. Legend aside, the cave is a beautiful and ideal stopover for any luxury Halong cruise. Entering through the entrance located at the foot of a cliff, you will pass through the tunnels of the cave which reaches the middle of the island for about 2 km in length.

7. Lan Ha Bay

Located south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha covers an area of more than 7,000 ha. The bay reserves the pristine landscape which has an intense concentration of limestone mountains. There are hundreds of beautiful little beaches at the foot of the mountains, so finding a good spot for an overnight camp or hosting a private beach barbecue is no problem. After a long day of exploring, Lan Ha Bay is really a good place to relax.

>> Read more: Lan Ha Bay, paradise of the Tonkinese Sea

8. Dau Go Island

Seemingly floating on emerald water, Dau Go Island, or Sticks Cave, is a popular name among tourist attractions in Halong, famous for Dau Go Cave - a spectacular cave. The cave, from a distance, looks like a jellyfish with a staircase of 90 steps. Discovering the inner beauty of the cave is a wonderful thing to do as it is extremely mysterious and surprising. You will feel lost in a fairy tale place that brings amazingly beautiful scenery.

9. Bai Tu Long Bay

Located to the east of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is an off-the-beaten-path destination that stands out for the beauty of karsts and limestone mountains. In Bai Tu Long Bay, you can kayak in Vung Vieng fishing village, snorkel at Ban Chan beach, relax in Ang Du Area, and discover the history of Thien Canh Son Cave.

>> Read more: Bai Tu Long Bay, beautiful cousin of Halong

10. Poem Mountain (Nui Bai Tho)

Poem Mountain has been named since 1268 when King Le Thanh Tong carved a poem on a cliff of the mountain. Thanks to the mountainside overlooking the bay, the mountain is the most ideal vantage point of Halong Bay. Standing on the mountain and looking down, you will understand why the bay is called Halong. The air in this area is fresh all year round, so you can visit it whenever you want. This is where you can see hundreds of different plants growing on the cliffs, enjoy the melodious chirping of birds, and play with the goats grazing on the slopes.

11. Cua Van Floating Village

Cua Van is the largest fishing village in Halong Bay, located in Hung Thang commune. The village sits in a calm bay surrounded by islets and limestone mountains. It is home to 733 people who live mainly from fishing. The fishing families all live in small floating houses anchored in a protected bay. Cua Van is elected as one of the 15 most beautiful fishing villages in the world. And it is an ideal place to learn about the daily life of fishermen who will teach you how to make traps and fishing nets.

12. Titov Island

Located about 14 kilometres from the tourist port of Bai Chay, Titov Island is famous for its crescent moon-shaped beach which has beautiful, calm blue waters. With calm waters and pristine white sand, the beach is perfect for water activities like swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking. There is also a bar where you can rent all kinds of swimming equipment or stop for a drink if you wish.

>> Read more: Top 7 most beautiful beaches in Ha Long Bay

13. Tuan Chau Island

Covered with pine forests, Tuan Chau Island consists of multiple sloping hills and two man-made beaches of fine white sand. It is a memorial site because President Ho Chi Minh spent his holidays there. The island has many attractions like the animal circus club, the seal club, the cultural and sports centre, the rural market, the villas, and the ornamental fish lake,… It also offers many activities for tourists such as jet skiing, sea fishing, canoes, and parachute,…

14. Quan Lan Island

In the 11th century, Quan Lan was in the middle of an important trade route between Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and China. Now it looks more like a sleepy island than a bustling port. Although inhabited by locals, Quan Lan's landscape remains mostly untouched with beautiful forest areas and 3 long white sand beaches. It's also a great place to sample local seafood thanks to the abundance of butterfly fish, mackerel, squid, and prawns in the waters.

15. Spend the night at a floating village

Suggested for: Those who want a whole new nightlife experience

Why should we go:

A night at a floating village is the best way to enjoy Halong Bay. You can seek to experience the ordinary life of a pure fisherman. The friendly and hospitable locals will show you how to cast a fishing net, paddle your own rowboat and go fishing like the real deal. In addition, you can taste its famous seafood such as crabs, clams, and shrimp.

>> Read more: 3 reasons for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay

16. Visit the cannon fort

Suggested for: those who wish to enjoy the best of the view in Cat Ba Island

Why should we go:

From one vantage point, you can see hills, dancing fishing boats, and a karst formation protruding from the sea. On the way to the cannon fort, you also have the opportunity to discover underground tunnels and a number of attractions such as cannon emplacement.

>> Read more: Trung Trang cave, a jewel of Cat Ba Island

17. Take a cruise

Suggested for: those who really want to see all of Halong Bay

Why should we go:

Signing up for a boat cruise is the best way to experience Halong Bay. With 2,000 islands, you can choose where you want to go and what you want to see, from the most famous to the smallest islands. It is a memorable cruise experience for you to enjoy a buffet meal as part of the cruise or spend the night on the ship.

>> Read more: How to choose your cruise in Halong Bay? [2023]

18. Go on a seaplane trip

Recommended for: those who want to see Halong Bay in a different way.

Why should we go:

If you wonder what Halong Bay looks like from above, just take a seaplane ride. It's a totally unique experience in less than 25 minutes. The Halong sightseeing flight will allow you to see some of the 1,600 islands and islets scattered in the Gulf of Tonkin, as well as beaches, a lagoon, and towering cliffs. There are morning and afternoon flights, so you can choose a time that suits you. The aerial view of Halong Bay will surely blow your mind!

>> Read more: 15 attractions of Halong Bay that are a must-see

19. Rock climbing

Recommended for: Those who love sports and are in good health

Why should we go:

Cat Ba National Park is a great place to climb the rocks of Halong Bay. You can find amazing hiking trails including an 18 km trail that climbs to the top of the main peak. Climbing allows you to see all the flora and fauna during your hike and hiring a guide for your hike is best to learn about the history of the area.

20. Swim at Bai Chay Beach

Suggested for: Those who want to enjoy the clean, cool waters of Bai Chay Beach

Why should we go:

Bai Chay is a large and beautiful man-made beach located close to the coast of Halong Bay. The beach is an ideal swimming destination with a 100-metre-wide sandy beach that stretches over 500 meters. In summer, Bai Chay Beach attracts many locals and foreigners to visit. Very invested, it quickly turns into one of the most captivating beaches in Halong Bay.

21. Go shopping at Bai Chay Market

At Bai Chay Market, you can find huge piles of fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of seafood. Besides, you can also buy other local items such as clothes and textiles. It is a very good place to stock up on souvenirs and taste the local products of Ha Long Bay.

22. Ride a bicycle

Suggested for: who wants to enjoy a quiet atmosphere

Why should we go:

Most people think of water activities when visiting Halong Bay. But it actually has a lot more to offer. Cycling around Halong Bay and Cat Ba is relaxing and romantic. The scenery along the coastal road will make cycling a wonderful thing to do in Halong Bay. To discover the best coastal landscapes, renting a bicycle is the perfect choice for you. You can rent a bicycle for 20,000 VND/hour.

23. Sunbathe on the beach

Recommended for: anyone who wants to have tanned skin

Why should we go:

Halong Bay is considered one of the best places for beach sunbathing in Vietnam with many beaches. With dazzling sunshine, beautiful beaches with calm tides, and clean green water, you will feel very comfortable soaking up the sun. To name some beaches, will be Tuan Chau, Titov, Ngoc Vung, and Trai Dao. These are the best with beautiful views of the bay.

>> Read more: Top 7 most beautiful beaches in Ha Long Bay

24. Dinner in the caves

Recommended for: Those looking for a whole new dining experience

Why should we go:

Dining in a cave in Halong Bay is a must if you've never done it before. Now, several cruises offer this service on a daily basis. You can contact an agency to ask if they include this experience in their itinerary. Dinner does not only come with a candlelit dining experience but also admiring the miraculous work of Mother Nature. It's something you may never find anywhere else.

25. Go squid fishing at night

Suggested for: Anyone who is a night owl

Why should we go:

Night squid fishing is a popular night activity in Halong Bay. When you register for this activity, you will be given a fishing rod. When darkness falls, you can observe large schools of squid swimming in these waters. If you've caught the fish, you can enjoy a barbecue with these delicious creatures and the staff will show you the way.

26. Kayaking

Suggested for: anyone who wants to relax

Why should we go:

Kayaking is listed as a must thing to do in Halong Bay. It is an exciting activity to sit on a small kayak, paddle through the blue water, wiggle through the cave, and touch the stalactites. You can kayak to visit fishing villages and learn about the work of fishermen at sea and also admire the limestone islands.

>> Read more: Top 10 in Halong Bay: the must-sees and things to do

27. Sleep on a boat

Suggested for: Anyone looking for a new experience of sleeping on a boat.

Why should we go:

The best thing about sleeping on a boat is “the escape”. You can feel the freedom of your own space, the feeling of peace, and being surrounded by water. Besides, you can also enjoy the lifestyle on the board without any stress. Staying on board also gives you the chance to watch the sunset and wake up to the sound of the wind and sea waves in Halong Bay.

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