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October to April is the dry season and the best time. From November to March, mornings can be misty and cool, but the views stay good. May to September is hot and wet, with a risk of storms, mainly from June to September. Cruises can be cancelled when storms are close.

There is no single event to plan around. Choose a clear day and check the weather before you book.

• Hạ Long Bay is the bay itself. A cruise passes limestone islands, floating villages and small beaches.
• Sung Sot Cave, also called Surprise Cave, is one of the largest caves in the bay. It sits on Bo Hon Island and is a standard stop on most cruises.
• G. X. Ti Tốp is a small island with a beach and a viewpoint. A climb of about 400 steps leads to a view over the bay.
• Hang Luồn Cave Entrance is a sea arch that you can paddle through by kayak or in a small rowing boat.
• Thien Cung and Dau Go are other caves on the usual routes.
• Cua Van is a floating fishing village where small boats show daily life on the water.

• Overnight cruise: Sleep on the bay, watch the sunset from the deck and swim at a quiet cove.
• Kayaking: Paddle into lagoons and under rock arches in the morning, when the water is calm.
• Sunrise on deck: Early light over the islands is the quietest time of day.
• Squid fishing at night: Many overnight cruises offer a short squid fishing session.
• Cooking demonstration: Some cruises show how to make spring rolls on board.

• Bai Chay and the cable car: right in the town. A cable car and a large wheel give views of the bay from above.
• Lan Ha Bay: reached from Cat Ba Island by boat. A quieter bay with similar scenery and beaches.
• Cat Ba Island: about 2 hours from Ha Long by road and ferry. National park trails and beaches.
• Hải Phòng: about 1 hour by car. A port city and the ferry gateway to Cat Ba.
• Ninh Binh: about 3 hours by car. Often combined with a Ha Long trip.

• Province: Quảng Ninh covers the bay, the coast and the islands.
• Gateway: Hanoi is the usual starting point, about three hours away.
• Nearby ports: Hải Phòng links to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay.

• From Hanoi: The usual way is by shuttle bus or car on the expressway. The trip takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Cruise companies and hotels sell transfers with their cruises.
• By air: Van Don International Airport (VDO) lies about 60 km east of Ha Long, with flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Most visitors use Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport (HAN) and continue by road.
• From Hai Phong: Buses and cars take about 1 hour to Ha Long.

• Cruise boats: All bay routes start from the docks at Bai Chay and Tuan Chau. Choose a licensed operator. Your cruise includes the meals and stops.
• Taxi and Grab: Common inside Ha Long for the docks, the hotels and the cable car.
• On foot: The Bai Chay waterfront has promenades, markets and restaurants.
• Kayaks and small boats: Hired at stops on the bay to enter caves and lagoons.

• Is a car worth it? Only for the transfer from Hanoi. A car with a driver is comfortable. On the bay, you travel by boat.
• Parking: Docks and hotels in Bai Chay have parking. Space is limited at weekends.
• Restrictions: The expressway from Hanoi has tolls. Traffic is heavy on Friday evenings and Sundays.

Seafood is the main reason to eat here. Look for squid, crab, prawns and fresh fish. Ha Long is known for cha muc, a squid cake, and for grilled seafood.

Eat on the cruise or at the seafood restaurants near Bai Chay. Ask for the price per kilo before you order live seafood.

Ha Long Bay is generally safe. Most problems are about boats, weather and prices.

• Book a licensed operator and wear the life jacket on deck.
• Storms can stop cruises. Check the weather forecast and the cancellation rules.
• Agree on drinks, kayak hire and extras before you board.
• Take sun cream, a hat and a warm layer for the evening.
• Do not swim in unmarked areas. Currents can be strong near the islands.

The name Ha Long means "descending dragon". A local legend says that a dragon family spat jewels that became the islands and kept invaders out. The bay was a key waterway in several wars between Vietnam and its northern neighbour.

Fishing families have lived on floating villages in the bay for generations. Coal mining shaped the nearby coast in the 20th century. UNESCO listed Hạ Long Bay as a World Heritage Site in 1994.

Quick practical facts for Vietnam at a glance: