Ha Long Bay Islands Travel
Ha Long Bay Islands Overview
Ha Long Bay can be found in the Gulf of Tonkin, at the northern part of Vietnam and 170km east of Hanoi. It is ideal to visit Ha Long Bay from October until April. During the winter months of December, January and February, the weather casts low visibility while during the summer months of May to September; temperatures are likely to rise and more often than not, cause storms and the whole rainy season.
Ha Long Bay Islands Main Attractions
The Virgin Cave (Hang Trinh Nu) also known as the Mid Gate Cave mystifies tourists endlessly. Legend has it that a beautiful woman had once committed suicide in the cave, having failed to come home and having been forced to marry and old mandarin. It is here that the woman’s body turned into stone. Tunnels in this cave crisscross the island for around two kilometers with numerous chambers going along the tunnel.
Other attractions found in this spectacular place are the Bai Chay or also known as the Scorched Beach which one can observe while driving to Ha Long Bay. There are also other cave attractions such as the Hung Sung Sot Cave, Hang Do Go (Flowers on Stone) and Hong Bo Nau (Pelican Cave).
Ha Long Bay Islands Activities
Tourists can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of Ha Long Bay. One can also cruise and explore the caves and grottos by kayakingand could wildlife watch as well. Cultural excursions are also available with different archeological and historical artifacts and locations situated in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. There are also helicopter tours if one would like to gaze at Ha Long Bay at a bird’s eye view.
Ha Long Bay Islands Accommodation & Dining
One would find several new hotels on Cat Ba Island, still in Ha Long Bay catering to overnight boat trip packages. There are also several tourist boats which one can rent as part of their overnight cruise. The price will cover for the dinner and breakfast aboard the boat. Travel agencies are countless in Ha Long Bay; one should know that with regards to cruises, it is safe to avail cruises at a US$35 range and could get the best at US$200, per person. There are almost 500 traditional Vietnamese dishes known to all that varies from region to region. Rice and noodles are the staple foods and are served in all meals. One must however, keep away from drinking tap water and must boil it first before drinking.
Ha Long Bay Islands Shopping & Nightlife
Shopping is possible from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. While some are only open on a shorter scale like those that are on business from 1 or 2pm to 4 to 5pm. Shops sells from generic items, local handicrafts, paintings, reed mats, and furniture. For modern goods, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the place to go.
Getting To & Around Ha Long Bay Islands
Most of those who visit Ha Long Bay are on a tour. However, if one is willing to pay huge money to get to Ha Long Bay, one should rent a car from Hanoi. Apparently, it costs US$100 return. The drive would be 3hrs long from Hanoi and is an hour and 30minutes from Hai Phong. Tourist buses offer service which costs US$8 net/person/way. You can find this at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Public buses on th other hand has trips that cost 50,000dong/person from Long Bien or Gia Lam Station to Bay Chai every 30minutes from 6am to 6pm.
