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

Ha Long is suitable for a 2-3 day trip: from Hanoi, travel on the Hai Phong - Ha Long highway for about 2-2.5 hours, or fly to Van Don airport and continue for about 50km. The best time is from April to August. Notable experiences include cruising Ha Long Bay, kayaking, visiting Sung Sot and Luon caves, swimming at Bai Chay beach, and viewing the bay by seaplane. Must-try dishes: hand-pounded squid rolls, sea worms, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and snails stir-fried with spicy sauce.

Discover Ha Long: bay, fishing village, museum, sea

Ha Long Bay has an area of 1,553km2 with about 1,900 large and small limestone islands, recognized by UNESCO as a natural wonder of the world. On the bay route, popular stops include Dragon Eye Island, Ti Top Island, Con Coc Island, Ngoc Vung Island, and Sung Sot Cave.

Cua Van fishing village: follow the fishermen's lifestyle, experience fishing, squid fishing, rowing and enjoy seafood right on the boat.
Tuan Chau Island: amusement park, water music performance; new dinosaur park opens to attract young visitors.
Quang Ninh Museum: a miniature model of Quang Ninh, a space displaying mining culture and a famous check-in spot.
Bai Chay Beach: artificial beach near the bay, clear water, fine sand stretching nearly 1,000m, convenient for swimming and walking.
Bai Tho Mountain: climbing activities are temporarily suspended for safety reasons; sightseeing is possible in the area below and local information should be updated before going.
Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay: wild, fresh landscape; suitable for boating, photography and those who like quiet.
Ha Long Old Town and Ha Long Night Market: stroll around, buy handicrafts, shell wind chimes; many seafood stalls and snacks.

What to eat in Ha Long

Hand-pounded squid cake: golden, crispy pieces; can be bought from establishments owned by Ha Long natives such as Ba Kien, Lang Chai, and Hien Nhung.
Stir-fried snails with soy sauce: stir-fried with coriander, dried coconut, and lemon leaves; crispy, rich, and moderately spicy.
Steamed horse crab: big claws, lots of meat; besides steaming, you can also stir-fry with tamarind, grill on charcoal, or stir-fry with vermicelli.
Sandworm: can be enjoyed crispy, grilled, stir-fried with kohlrabi or deep-fried.
Grilled oysters with scallion oil: fatty, fragrant with onion; sprinkle with crushed peanuts when cooked.
Sea cucumber: can be prepared in many ways such as stir-fried sweet and sour crab legs, fried crispy crab eggs, steamed crab, grilled crab cartilage... Be sure to choose a reputable establishment.
Fried shrimp rolls: early winter; crispy outer shell, eaten with vermicelli and salad.
Specialties: fragrant sticky rice cakes made from sticky rice, regular rice, rock sugar and molasses of the San Diu people.
Seafood noodle soup: sweet and clear broth, firm mantis shrimp, dried shrimp, chewy squid cake.

Getting to and around Ha Long

How to get to Ha Long

Car/bus: from Hanoi via Hanoi – Ha Long highway about 2–2.5 hours. Bus ticket: 100,000–200,000 VND/person.
Plane: from Ho Chi Minh you can fly, reference price 300,000-900,000 VND/person (depending on time, airline), landing in Cat Bi or Van Don then continue to Ha Long; from Van Don alone it is about 50km.
Motorbike: travel time 4-5 hours; need to wear helmet with glasses, long-sleeved shirt, and go at an appropriate speed.

Getting around the city

Bus: many routes connecting tourist attractions; average price 7,000–10,000 VND/trip.
Tram: 5 routes departing from Bai Chay area or the center; price 500,000–900,000 VND/trip; operating 7:00–22:00.
Taxi: about 5,000–11,000 VND/km depending on the company and distance.
Motorbike taxi: should ask price before going.

Suggested accommodation

Ha Long has many options from budget to luxury. A notable suggestion is Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long on Reu Island, designed with inspiration from the French theater; all rooms face the sea, has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, pool bar, 5-star restaurant system.

Suggested itinerary

3 days 2 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Ha Long, check in; afternoon take a boat tour of the bay; evening walk around the city/night market.
Day 2: Morning fun in Tuan Chau; afternoon swimming at Bai Chay beach; evening old town/night market.
Day 3: Morning go to seafood market; noon check out.

2 days 1 night

Day 1: arrive, check in; afternoon explore Tuan Chau island; evening have dinner on a raft or walk around the old town.
Day 2: Morning visit Ha Long Bay by boat; noon check out, return.

1 day

8:30: Depart for Ha Long.
12:00: Take a boat tour of the bay, have lunch on the boat; visit Thien Cung cave, Cho Da islet, Lu Huong islet, Ga Choi islet, Cua Van fishing village...
16:30: ship docks, get on bus to return.

Reference cost

Transportation: bus Hanoi – Ha Long 100,000–200,000 VND/person; bay tour boat 340,000 VND/person.
Inner city travel: taxi/motorbike taxi about 200,000–500,000 VND/person (depending on route).
Accommodation: 200,000–2,500,000 VND/night.
Food and drink: 500,000–1,000,000 VND/person.
Entertainment: 500,000–700,000 VND/person.
Estimated total for 2 days 1 night trip: 1,640,000–3,640,000 VND/person.

What to buy as gifts

One-sun dried squid: 400,000–2,000,000 VND/kg; choose pink, thick-bodied, dry squid.
Wine: should be bought from seafarers or native Ha Long people.
Nodding cake: eaten with steamed chicken fat with minced meat or fried onions with fish sauce and chili.
Cockles: about 80,000–120,000 VND/kg; you should go to Ha Long fish market in the early morning or Cai Dam market.
Bread: soft, dense, fragrant with butter and milk; served with condensed milk.

Quick Tips

When: April–June ideal; June–August peak, July–August can have low pressure/storms. Late November to Tet is international tourist season, quieter.
Prepare: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, flip flops, swimsuit, identification, battery charger and camera equipment.
Kayak: keep your balance, wear a life jacket; follow instructions.
Bai Tho Mountain: climbing is off limits; check local information before scheduling.