Thousands of islands in Halong Bay. Vietnam. Minibuses and regular buses

Halong Bay is one of the most popular places in Vietnam. In 1994, UNESCO listed Halong Bay as a World Heritage Site, and following the results of a global vote that ended at the end of 2011, Halong Bay was recognized as one of the seven natural wonders Sveta.
The Vietnamese tell the following legend about the creation of 3 thousand islands of Ha Long Bay: a long time ago, when the Vietnamese people fought against the Chinese invaders, a family of dragons was sent from the sky to help the Vietnamese, who began to spit out precious stones that turned into islands that suddenly appeared in front of those going to sea ​​by Chinese ships and smashed them to pieces. After the victory, the dragons decided to stay in these places. The dragon, the mother of the family, settled in the bay, which has since been called Ha Long, which in Vietnamese means "where the dragon descended into the sea." Another episode of the defense of the Vietnamese from the invaders is also connected with Halong Bay, and this episode is not legendary, but quite historical. In 1288, the fleet of the Mongol Khan Kublai Khan was sent to conquer Vietnam. The commander Tran Hung Dao figured out how to stop the Mongols: wooden stakes with metal tips were driven in Halong Bay. At high tide, the stakes were not visible, but at low tide, the Mongol ships were impaled on these stakes and the invaders' fleet was destroyed.

Cat Ba (translated from Vietnamese as "island of women") is the largest of the islands of Ha Long Bay, its area is 285 square kilometers. On the island are national park And tourist complex. On another island - Tuan Chau is the former residence of the leader of the Vietnamese revolution, Ho Chi Minh.

You can appreciate the scale of Halong Bay by looking at the following photo, where the rocks stretch in an endless ridge along the entire horizon line:

Some islands are hollow limestone caves, sometimes with lakes inside. For example, there is the "Cave of Surprise", where white, pink, yellow, purple lighting allows you to fully appreciate the beauty created by nature. And in the "Cave of Wooden Stakes" during the war with the Mongols, the Vietnamese hid wooden stakes during the day to drive them into the bottom of the bay at night. The "Drum Cave" is also known, so named because at strong wind creates an acoustic effect reminiscent of drumming.

Of interest to tourists are also floating fishing villages built on rafts:

According to an old legend, in ancient times on the land that is today the location halong bay, inhabited by a huge dragon. A strong monster made hollows in the earth's surface with its limbs and tail and crawled into the sea, and the hollows themselves gradually filled with water. On the surface were only those islands that the dragon's paws had not touched. Today they rise above the surface of the bay. According to another version, the history of the appearance of Halong dates back to the time of the Old Kingdoms, when the inhabitants of neighboring China now and then staged devastating raids on. Seeing the suffering of the Vietnamese people, the Gods themselves intervened in the fate of their country and sent mighty dragons to help the warring ones. Having plunged into the sea, they created a barrier and did not let the Chinese invaders into the country. Spewing flames, mythical creatures turned fires into gems. As they came into contact with the surface of the water, they reincarnated into islands. The countless number of pearl islands has become an insurmountable obstacle for the Chinese. So the dragons helped the Vietnamese to win the battle with the enemy. The Mother of Dragons, who wished to visit the jubilant people, liked the picturesque bay so much that she chose it as her favorite vacation spot. Waving her tail, she plunged into the sea. Therefore, the bay was named Halong, because this word denotes the whole phrase "dragon descending into the sea."

Halong Bay - photo

But whatever the legends say, in 1288 the bay really had to take part in hostilities. Historical chronicles tell how the Mongol invaders tried by hook or by crook to conquer Vietnam. But the talented commander Tran Hyng Dao saw excellent strategic opportunities in the bay. Under his leadership, the fighters drove millions of sharp spears into the bottom of Ha Long, and then lured the conquerors into the waters of the bay. Having flown ships on pointed peaks, the foreigners broke through their swimming facilities and were convinced.

Natural Attractions of Halong Bay

The area of ​​​​Halong accounts for about 1,500 square kilometers. Its territory is rich in caves, rocks and cliffs, and scientists have counted more than 3 thousand islands. What awaits tourists in the mysterious halong bay? In addition to the quaint green islands, the sights of the bay are rocks with tower karst. Internal formations were formed in them under the influence of rainwater, which eroded the limestone for decades.

Among all the grottoes, the most popular among vacationers are:

• Acoustic grotto, impressive with unreal echoes of the wind. With strong gusts, such unusual sounds hover here that impressionable tourists get the impression of the presence of the Mother of Dragons here.
• Grotto of stone pillars, rich in stone giants. Its feature is considered to be an internal natural reservoir with drinking water. In 1917, the Vietnamese Emperor Khai Dinham visited this cave. He immortalized his visit with an inscription on a stele made specially for this occasion.
• Quang Hanh Grotto is the largest cave in this bay. Its length is 1,300 meters, so it resembles an endless tunnel.

Halong Bay - video

Halong Bay - where is it located and how to get there

Halong Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, belonging to the South China Sea. You can find the bay in the north of Vietnam, 170 kilometers from its capital -. You can get to a paradise place from Hanoi or Nanying (this chinese city). For tourists vacationing in the south, it is better to get to the archipelago by plane, taking advantage of the flight to Haiphong. Drive to Halong from Hanoi more convenient by bus. You can buy a ticket for it at travel companies or just on the street. The fare is low - 10 - 12 dollars (the price is set based on the class vehicle and route features).

Halong Bay on the map

Review of trip to Halong bay. How to choose an excursion, how to get to Ha Long, cost, useful tips.

Vietnam - tourist review of Halong Bay

One of the most famous attractions in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is also a minefield for anyone who wants to buy a guided tour of this beautiful bay. This article will show you how to find good tour operator along Halong Bay and not run into scammers.

The legend of the emergence of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam says that during the war between Vietnam and China, God sent a family of dragons to help the Vietnamese to protect their lands from invaders. The dragons descended to the place where the bay is now located and began to spit out precious stones and jade, which, when in contact with water, turned into islands that adorn the coast and form a formidable defensive fortress against the invaders. Dragons love so much beautiful bay with calm waters and the kind attitude of the Vietnamese who decided to stay. The mother of dragons lies in Halong Bay, and her children in the neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay.

Halong Bay on the map of Vietnam

Halong Bay is located in the Tunkin Bay of Vietnam. It is undeniably extremely a nice place, and the only way to get up close and personal with the dragon family and the jewels they spit on is to take a cruise through the thousands of islets in the bay. Choosing the right boat, and the route is enough difficult task, because hundreds of tour operators and cruisers conduct excursions here daily. Most often, excursions to Halong Bay begin in Hanoi, here you can buy a tour that includes transportation from Hanoi to the bay by bus, and then after the cruise you will be returned to Hanoi again.

Which tour operator to choose for an excursion to Halong Bay (Vietnam)?

The second time I visited Halong Bay was with my father. My first experience was not the best, so this time I wanted to do everything right and choose a good tour operator with a solid reputation. I spent days scouring the forums and sites of tour operators and found only a dozen really large companies that had many different junks - traditional Vietnamese boats that ply in Ha Long Bay. But I read hundreds of tourist reviews about unsafe boats, cases of deception when the actual junk was very different from the declared one for the worse, up to rats on board.

Prices for trips to Halong Bay

In the case of an excursion to Ha Long, it is very difficult to know in advance what awaits you. Firstly, there is a very wide range of prices from $45/day to $500 per day. private tour. All tour operators have beautiful pictures, a bunch of positive feedback, but based on previous experience, I already knew that many of the companies would not even live to see the first claims.

Which tour to choose?

First you need to decide which tour you will choose in terms of duration. There is a one-day tour, a 2-day overnight tour, a 3-day/2-night tour, and a personal cruise where you rent junk just for yourself.

Once you decide how much time to spend on a tour of Halong Bay, you need to decide how much you plan to spend. Here, too, there is a choice. You can choose a tour with high-class service, white tablecloths and a chef who will make you beautiful fruit dragons. Is there budget options partying until late at night. It is very important to decide in advance which type of cruise is right for you, so as not to be disappointed that you cannot fall asleep at night due to noise or, on the contrary, you want to have fun, and not with anyone.

To find out the current prices for excursions and, possibly, purchase an excursion with a good discount, I recommend that you use the form below. Just enter the planned date of the tour. There are both 2-day and 3-day tours here, as well as many tourist reviews about traveling to Halong Bay. Prices start from 5000 rubles, but you are guaranteed not to swim on the trough. You can read about negative experiences.

My Halong Bay Excursion Experience from Hanoi

How to get from Hanoi to Halong

Use the search form to find out the ticket price and exact time departure of transport to Haiphong (Hai Phong). Haiphong is the closest city to Halong Bay. It is from here that all cruise junks depart and return here.

How to get from Hanoi to Halong and back for free

My dad and I booked a cruise on Agoda and, like most things, our tour operator offered a free transfer from Hanoi to Halong and back. At 8 in the morning, a minibus was waiting for us near the hotel, we traveled around the city a little more, picking up all the tourists and already at 8.30 we moved towards Halong Bay.

A nice lady guide introduced herself to all of us in English and handed out bottles of water. She asked if any of us were celebrating any holiday and if anyone had any special requests regarding food and accommodation. Then she warned that we would arrive at the place in 3.5 hours, and on the way we would make a short stop at a tourist shop.

When we arrived in Halong, we were seated in the dining room and seated at tables according to which junk we were sailing. We met the "cruise director" who said that the ships were in this moment are washing and replenishing provisions, and that soon we will be able to board. I looked around and noticed that our travel agency Indochina Junk has 5 more names and 12 different junk. We were told that all boats were the same, but I began to get nervous and remember the reviews on the forums.

Boarding a ship in Halong Bay

After some time, we were taken to the docks, we got into a small boat and headed towards the junk. Along the way, we sailed several identical ships, and as soon as we saw ours, we realized that we had not been deceived and everything was in order. Junk looked new and in excellent condition.

We boarded and headed for main deck junk, dinner was already served there. After a brief introduction to the ship and safety instructions, the cruise director introduced us to the junk staff and explained the itinerary of the trip. Then we sat down to have lunch. We were treated to delicious Vietnamese food.

After lunch we went to get acquainted with the cabins. They were all clean and spacious with modern bathrooms. Nothing compares to my first failed trip to Halong Bay.

Dau Tien Island

When we sailed to Dau Tien Island, which was owned by a tour operator, the guide told us that a family of 7 lived in a cave on this island, but the company persuaded them to move to a fishing village and helped them settle down there. He also said that two of this family are alive and to this day work for a tour operator.

We climbed up to see the cave where these people lived, it was small and completely uninteresting. There was literally nothing to see, if the guide had not told stories and joked, we would hardly have stayed there even for 5 minutes.

When we got out of the cave and looked around, we saw 7 junks standing near the island. I joked that the company promised no other tourists due to the privileged right to this island, but I forgot to mention that their own junkies would come here at the same time.

How we went boating in Halong Bay

After the cave, most of us sat in boats and rounded neighboring island. This is a great way to see the islands up close. We returned and some tourists decided to swim. I didn't join them because the water was cold and dirty. For a while we just relaxed on a beach specially created for such occasions. As it turned out, there are no natural natural beaches. In the late afternoon we returned to our junk again to sail to the place where we will anchor for the night.

A delicious Vietnamese dinner was waiting for us on the ship, which we had a pleasant time talking with other tourists. After dinner, some of the tourists went to their cabins, and some climbed upper decks talk, drink beer and look at the stars.

Floating Village and Pearl Farm

Early in the morning we boarded a small boat with a motor and headed for a floating village and a pearl farm. There they transferred to bamboo boats and took us to the village. As soon as we turned the corner, an unusual picture opened up in front of us - several small clusters of houses floating on the water and one of the most big house obviously the center of the village. They showed us the school community Center, several pearl farmers busy with work and a gift shop. To tell the truth, I got the impression that I was not in a village where people live, but rather in tourist attraction where they just work.

After that we went back to the junk, had breakfast and started to pack, because the tour ended and we sailed to Halong City.

Return to Hanoi

A day later, after we boarded the junk for the first time, we were already loading our things into the minibus to return to Hanoi. The trip was short, the stated 2 days and 1 night was actually 2 half days and night. But in general, I liked everything. If you are interested in the beauty of nature, not tourist entertainment, then a day is more than enough to get acquainted with the bay.

Brief summary of the trip to Halong Bay

The junk on which we sailed this time was many times better and newer than the one on which I made my first excursion to Halong Bay 2 years ago. I think there was no big difference in what we saw - the same landscapes, karst shores and a floating village. This time, the rooms were clean, comfortable, the food was delicious, and at night no one was making noise in a drunken stupor. The menu was for vegetarians, for people with food allergies, and for mere mortals, so we had a choice. In general, the service was good, the employees were polite and smiling.

And finally... don't worry about the weather in Halong Bay

I understand the anxiety before booking an excursion - what if the weather is bad, because the whole trip is in vain. I can assure you, there is not much difference, the bay is still very beautiful. On this trip, the weather was rainy and cloudy, although the sun came out several times. But it was not hot and I managed to take some beautiful photos of the foggy bay.

Vietnam, near the city of Halong in the Gulf of Tonkin, one of the “ 7 new wonders of the world” – Halong Bay. There are about 3,000 islands, caves, cliffs and rocks in the bay. It is rich and diverse in both underwater and animal life.

According to legend, when the dragon, who lived in the mountains, descended from them into the sea, he formed depressions with his tail, which were filled with water. Halong is translated as “where the dragon descended into the sea”.

The population lives mainly in floating fishing villages and is about 1,600 people.

People from all over Vietnam come to Halong Bay to admire, there are many Chinese, Russians and other nationalities. A wide variety of islands, rocks, cliffs, grottoes and caves located in it will not leave anyone indifferent.

You can take a tour, both for one day and for a couple of days. In the bay you will see fishing villages, which are in the form of woven rafts, based right on the water. They are inhabited by fishermen who have been engaged in their difficult craft for many generations. From early morning they swim deep into the bay to cast their nets. After all, only thanks to the sea, they feed.

On the shore or even from a boat, you can buy fish, shrimp, crabs and even a stingray, which is considered a local delicacy here. Many of the islands have their own name, which they have been given locals, for example - Feather, Wand, Saddle or Isle of Dogs.

Having purchased a ticket for an excursion and boarding your ship or junk, no one will remain indifferent to the view that will open before you. And the further the ship takes you, the more islands and cliffs that seem to hang over you. In turn, these islands are not empty; they are inhabited by storks, eagles, parrots, pheasants and other animals. The underwater world of Halong Bay is even richer. To date, more than 150 varieties of corals and more than 1000 species of fish have been found here.

Many of these bizarre rocks riddled with caves. Some islands even have lakes, often round in shape, surrounded by sheer shores. Many lakes can be reached by boat sailing to them through the grottoes. Many of these shelters are used by local fishermen on a rainy day.

One of the stops will be near the Sung Sot grotto near the village. This huge cave is one of the main tourist attractions of the bay. The cave is lit with different colors, it feels like you are in a small Disneyland.

At the next stop, you will be able to go kayaking, which is the local name for kayaking. By renting them, you can ride on your own along the bay, swim in a cave hanging low over the water or along the fishing village.

The cost of a tour of Halong Bay

At your choice, you can take one of several proposed excursions:

• The first type of excursion is short and takes about 4-5 hours, during this time, of course, you will not be able to fully see all the sights of this bay. Includes a visit to Monkey Island.
  Price: about 115,000 VND (in a group of up to 30 people)
  about 1,000,000 VND if there are 1-3 people in the group
  Duration: from 8-00 to 13-00
• The second excursion is the best and richest for one day. It includes a visit to Monkey Island, a floating fishing village and one cave.
  Price: about 450,000 VND (group up to 30 people), 700,000 VND (group up to 15 people)
  Duration: from 8:00 to 17:00
• The third excursion is already taking place with one night on the junk with a visit to Monkey Island, floating village, one cave, as well as fishing and rock climbing.
  Price: about VND 1,600,000 (group of 5-8 people), VND 2,900,000 (group of 1 to 4 people)
  Duration: from 8:00 to 17:00

Photo

Kayaking

floating fishing village

Weather

One of best months visiting Halong Bay is a mid March to May and with September to October. Here in the north of Vietnam, the weather is divided into two seasons - the dry season and the rainy season.

The best time to visit the bay is the second half of spring and the first half of autumn.

One of the the most beautiful corners planets - Halong bay. Every year, millions of tourists come from all over the world to see it with their own eyes. picturesque cliffs, rocky islands and mystical caves in the arms of the turquoise abyss of waves. It is not for nothing that the bay was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a new wonder of the world. How to get to the most iconic resort of the Republic of Vietnam and have a beautiful rest on it, we will tell later in the article.

Getting to know the popular tourist destination of Vietnam

In native language this earthly paradise sounds like "Vịnh Ha Long", which means "where the dragon descended into the sea." As the story goes ancient legend, the fiery beast lived in local mountains for many years, but one day he decided to go downstairs. Stepping, he beat the ground with a giant tail and left behind him huge valleys. And when it plunged into the sea, the waves flooded part of the land destroyed by traces. As a result, thousands of bizarre islands were formed, which have survived to this day.

Did you know? Halong Bay became the filming location of the famous film« Indochina» who won an Oscar in 1993. In 1997, the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies was filmed in the bay. Besides, beautiful place captured in many entertainment programs and television shows.

Geographical position

Halong Bay should be looked for in the Asian Pacific Ocean, on the territory of the Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh, which north side washed by the Gulf of Tonkin. The tourist resort spread over 1.5 thousand square meters. m and consists of 3 thousand small rocky islands, as well as many grottoes, cliffs, caves. Administratively, this land is assigned to Wandong County and the cities of Halong, Kamfa. She's famous amazing landscapes wildlife and rich biodiversity.

Among the insular part of the bay, Fr. Tuan Chau, where the first president of Vietnam and authoritative politician Ho Chi Minh was once located. But most large area characterized by the island of Katba from the archipelago of the same name. Its wooded area covers about 285 sq. km, most of of which has been declared a national park.

Getting into the bay, enthusiastic tourists often associate it with a fairy tale. Indeed, countless lakes, waterfalls, grottoes, cliffs, overgrown with mysterious vegetation, as well as rich flora and fauna, present throughout the land, make us believe in this.

Did you know? In 1962, Halong Bay received the status of "National Famous landscape monument» from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

A bit of history

There are various legends about the origin of the islands of Halong Bay, many of which are so tiny that they do not even have a name. But in the echoes of some of them hide those who went down in history real facts. It is known that this land survived numerous wars and at a certain period was a haven for pirates, whom the Vietnamese-Chinese authorities tried in every possible way to exterminate.

In the long struggle for a place under the sun, the Vietnamese have learned to reclaim their shores. By cunning, they took the troops of the Mongol Khan Kublai, who at the end of the 13th century tried to conquer Vietnam. Throughout the coastal zone of the bay, local residents drove wooden stakes with pointed metal tips into the ground.

The tide hid the trap underwater, allowing enemy ships to get too close. One of the local attractions of Hang-Dau-Go, which translates as "cave of wooden stakes", also reminds of the victory over the Mongols. Rumor has it that military ammunition was stored in this place.

During the entire existence of the bay in the rocky labyrinths of Halong Bay, the Vietnamese army stopped the invasion of Chinese neighbors three times. And in times of warlike actions against the United States of America, the People's Republic of China took the side of North Vietnam, handing over ships with anti-aircraft installations to it. These gifts have long been used by the Vietnamese navy to control the Halong coast from sudden incursions of enemies, including the Chinese.

Did you know? Vietnam securely entrenched in second place in terms of rice consumption per capita. During the year, the average Vietnamese eats 169 kg of this product, that is, a family of two people needs almost a kilogram of rice per day.

How to get there

Getting to Halong Bay is much easier as part of an excursion tour than on your own. This is what most tourists do. However, if you wish, you can travel on your own, which, of course, will be cheaper.

Airfare prices depend on the beginning of the tourist season. Most cheap tickets in October, November and the first half of December. In general, a round-trip flight will cost about 2 thousand US dollars. The flight lasts over 9 hours.

Today, many airlines from different corners world, so the choice of convenient flights is very large, but there are no direct flights to Halong Bay. According to experienced travelers, it is better to get to this resort from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi or the Chinese Nanjing. This can be done by bus or rented car with a driver. But be prepared for the fact that public transport will cost 10-20 dollars, and you will have to pay at least 100 dollars for rented wheels:

1. From Kyiv, the starting point can be both Boryspil and Zhulyansky airports. From there, for about 24-33 thousand hryvnias, you can fly to Hanoi's Nonbai Airport.
2. It is better to fly from Moscow by starting from Domodedovo or Sheremetyevo. For 32-38 thousand rubles you can be delivered to the Vietnamese airports of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
3. There is also a direct flight from Minsk to Vietnamese capital. Its cost varies between 2-3 thousand Belarusian rubles, but you will have to spend about 13.5 hours in the sky.
4. It is more convenient to get from Thai Bangkok to Vietnam by one of the local low-cost airlines. The flight takes about two hours and costs about $150.

If solo travel you do not like it, then it makes sense to contact any of the local travel companies to purchase a tour. All tours are designed for 1-4 days and cost from 25 to 85 US dollars.

Important! Walking tours in Halong are carried out in the morning ( last boat departs at 13 o'clock), so when planning a route, keep this in mind if you do not want to waste a day on a useless stay at a hotel.

Climate and weather

Holidays in Halong Bay are best planned in September, October, March, April and May. During this period, the coast is sunny and warm. average temperature air fluctuates between +22…+32 °C. Water warms up to +30 °C. Sea salinity reaches 31–34.5%.

In the end of November beach season ends and begins a dry cold winter. The most severe months here are December and February. The thermometers do not fall below +15 ° C, but a piercing wind blows, but there is practically no precipitation.

In summer it is quite hot in the bay, but dampness is in the air due to the beginning of the rainy season. For the year in the north of Vietnam they fall about 2200 mm. August is especially rainy.

In general, the climate on the tropical coast is mild and humid. Excursions are available all year round, but given the proximity of the ocean and cold winds in winter, it is impractical to come here.

Did you know? In vietnamese cuisine very popular fish sauce produced by fermentation. To do this, the caught fish is well salted and put under pressure in wooden barrels for several months. The resulting unpleasantly smelling discharge is the very notorious sauce, without which the locals cannot imagine their lives.

The best beaches

With the rapid influx of tourists, Halong Bay began active development. On big islands appeared hotel complexes, restaurants and entertainment centers. But, in addition to everything created by man, there are wonderful outlandish places, one of which is the beaches.

1. This is a very popular place in the bay, which is located 10 km from the capital of Vietnam on the island of the same name Tuan Chau.
   

   Its area is measured by 220 hectares, most of which are covered by mountains and hills. Near the three-kilometer coastline hotel and entertainment complexes and establishments are located Catering. There are also golf courses, water parks, a dolphinarium. The width of the beach strip reaches 30 m. Here you can organize a vacation for every taste: ride a water ski or scooter, play on the shore or go fishing. The place is noisy and not suitable for a family weekend with children.

2. This is a beach no less popular among tourists, which stretches for half a kilometer on the shore of the bay. Its width reaches 100 m. The coastline is characterized by clean sand and water. Restaurants, a market, and Hoangza Park are concentrated on the coast.

   
   

3. This beach is located on the island of the same name, named after Soviet cosmonaut. Its peculiarity lies in a semicircular shape, wonderful landscapes around and solitude. Occasionally, itinerant tourists land on the clean sands of the half-moon beach to relax and enjoy the virgin nature. The length of the coastline is just over 2 km.

   
   
   

4. To find this beach, you need to go to the largest island in the bay, Cat Ba. The beach, up to 350 m long, is located in a quiet bay. It is distinguished by clean soft sand, crowded and rocky descent into the water. The Chinese are very fond of relaxing here.

   
   

5. This option beach holiday more suitable for those who seek to move away from civilization and people. It is located on the tiny island of the same name, which is a 10-minute boat ride from Catba. There is only sand, water, bungalows and the only Monkey Island Resort. The length of the coastline is up to 250 m.

   
   

Important! Be vigilant and do not for a moment forget about the entrepreneurial spirit of the Vietnamese. For example, you may be offered a boat or kayak trip to the cave. At the same time, they will say that the trip will cost 1 or 2 dollars, and when you have already boarded the boat, they will require 5 or more dollars from you. Therefore, check the price and pay before boarding the ship.

What to see for a tourist

Once in Vietnam, be sure to plan your vacation in such a way that every day you visit new sights of the country. There are a lot of them in Halong Bay. These are not museums and sculptures, but the oldest masterpieces of nature.

Here is a list of the most popular and unforgettable ones:

1. - recognized as one of the newest natural wonders of the world, located on the island of Bo Ho. Only opened at the end 19th century, although its age reaches 500 million years. The length of the cave stretches for half a kilometer. Inside there are many very ancient stalactites and stalagmites, whose bizarre forms are displayed in natural reservoirs. To many, they resemble wild animals.

   
   
   

2. - consists of two illuminated halls. The first is exposed to the sun's rays, and the second is illuminated with lamps. To see them, you need to climb 100 steps.

   
   
   

3. - This is the longest cave in Vietnam, which stretches for 30 km. In its depths you can see a stone arch, underground streams and even cave drawings primitive people.

   
   
   

4. National Park on Cat Ba Island. is remembered picturesque hills, mangrove hills, the outlandish nature of the subtropics and countless beaches for every taste and budget. By the way, coral reefs are located near the coast.
5. - in the labyrinths of the islands there are several settlements on the water. Their inhabitants rarely set foot on land. Fishing is their main source of income.

   
   
   

6. Ceramic factory- open to everyone on weekdays. There you can see the process of making ceramic products and an exhibition of works by masters.
7. - strikes the imagination with mysterious hills and rocky cliffs. But the most attractive in this place is the panoramic peak, which offers a view of the entire bay.

   
   
   

8. ― is the central attraction of the Republic of Vietnam. In 1917, she was honored with a visit from Emperor Khai Dinh himself. This is evidenced by a commemorative inscription, which the leader left on a special stele. There are many interesting things in the cave, in addition to bizarre stone giants, most of all visitors are surprised by the natural reservoir inside the grotto with the purest drinking water.

   
   
   

9. is one of largest caves bay, reminiscent of an endless tunnel. Its length reaches 1300 m.

   
   
   

10. acoustic grotto- deserves attention not only due to the amazing forms of stalactites and stalagmites, but also due to unrealistic acoustics. During the winds, such unusual sounds are heard in this place that one might get the impression that the Mother Dragon, who protected the Vietnamese from the evil Chinese, has not yet left Ha Long Bay.

Did you know? A bottle of beer on a cruise ship costs about 40,000 VND. For alcohol brought with you or bought not on the ship, the so-called cork right is often required - about 10 thousand dong per bottle.

Other types of entertainment

After walking tours through the island labyrinths of the bay, exploring caves and grottoes, amazing vegetation and wild animals, you can start a more active holiday.

In Vietnam, you may be offered the following options:

1. is the main playground in Hanoi. It combines theatrical and circus art and a cafe. Moreover, visiting kids do not need translation at all to understand everything that happens with waterfowl puppets. Elementary stories with funny voice acting are quite accessible to any viewer.

   
   
   

2. - This legendary place in Hanoi, which has a reputation for being the ugliest dance floor. The place is always crowded, noisy and smoky. But men should not come here alone. Otherwise, the whole evening will have to fight off obsessive cheeky flip flops.

   
   
   

3. Sea cruise- you can find a boat for every taste and budget. In addition, the Vietnamese, at your request, can land you on any of these islands. Just keep in mind that locals closely monitor the behavior of tourists so that they take care of nature. Such a walk will take several days, but you don’t have to worry about food - the guides will take care of it.
4. Fishing- it is best to go fishing at night, when the water, reflecting the coastal lights of Vietnam, acquires the new kind. Local fishermen will reveal the secrets of how to catch squid and other ocean delicacies.
5. - This is an activity for those who love outdoor activities. A tourist on a rowboat can independently get to any island he likes and study everything on it thoroughly, as well as relax on a wild beach. The main thing is not to get lost.

   
   
   

6. Water skis and jet skis- this type of active recreation will be offered to you on most major islands bays. It is best to prefer o. Cat Ba and Bai Chai.
7. Diving- for lovers of this type of recreation, diving excursions are recommended, which start from Hanoi. During the dive, you will be pleasantly surprised by the richness of the local underwater world. According to experts, there are about 200 species of plankton, 75 species of algae, 177 species of corals, 196 species of fish in local waters.

Important! During your stay on Kuan Lan Island, beware of swimming, as coastal high waves pose a threat to life. The local beach is clean and has pleasant soft sand, so it is ideal for sunbathing.

Where to stay

In northern Vietnam, there is a temporary home for tourists with different tastes and financial capabilities. If you want to relax in luxury, all kinds of hotels are at your service. Many five-star hotels provide their residents with a benefit in the form of free access to entertainment venues and attractions. And for those who are planning budget accommodation, good-natured Vietnamese will offer hostels.

Hotels

If you limited your visit to the bay to a few days, then it is better to choose capital hotels for a settlement. Well, for those who plan their entire vacation to enjoy unforgettable sunrises and sunsets, bask on the warm sand, island variations are ideal.

For the convenience of our readers, we have compiled an overview the best hotels bay:

Important! The most beautiful photos in Halong Bay are taken at sunrise or sunset. But keep in mind that the sun is here« falls» over the horizon almost at a right angle, and the time of dawn or sunset is very short.

Hostels

If your plans include savings on accommodation, you can arrange an overnight stay in one of the budget hostels.

The following hostels are popular with tourists:

Did you know? The Vietnamese eat about 3 million dogs every year..

Where to eat and what you can try from the "exotic"

Many hotels in Halong Bay have their own restaurants. And since this resort enjoys an international reputation, local chefs try to satisfy the needs of every visitor. Having been in Vietnam, unexpectedly for yourself, you can taste dishes not only from Asian, but also from American, Australian, African, European, Japanese and even Slavic cuisines.

At the same time, they do not forget about their culinary traditions here. According to the reviews of "experienced" tourists, Vietnamese cuisine is radically different from Slavic. It is known that in these parts they eat everything that runs and moves, so exotic food for tourists is the usual food for the natives.

The following dishes are especially popular here:

Did you know? Don't be surprised if you see a plastic trash can under every table in a cafe or pub..This is a mandatory attribute of cheap local eateries. If this is not provided, then visitors throw garbage directly under the table.

For those who are not sure that their stomach can easily endure non-traditional food, there are restaurants and cafes with international cuisine.

Among these, a good reputation is enjoyed by:

What to bring

As a souvenir for relatives and friends from Vietnam, you can bring costume jewelry, jewelry, clothes or traditional knick-knacks. It doesn't take long to find this kind of stuff. They are sold everywhere.

Slavic tourists note the abundance of gift assortment and acceptable prices. For example, here you can buy a tiny primitive fridge magnet for 0.3–0.5 dollars, a painted plate for 2–3 dollars, and silk paintings for 10–50 dollars.

Most often, vacationers bring edible souvenirs from Ha Long:

Important! In Vietnam, as in many other Eastern countries, it is customary to bargain for the thing you like. But this must be done with a good-natured and with a smile on your face. Bargaining is appropriate only in the markets.

If there are concerns that the above gifts will not leave lasting memories, then you need to look at more important things:

1. Jewelry. In Vietnam, even in the market, you can buy inexpensive items made of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls. Of course, vigilance does not hurt, because you can easily “profitably” sell a cheap plastic or glass fake. Since there are pearl farms on the islands, this product is very affordable. An exquisite bracelet will cost about $10, beads - $20, a silver chain with pearl elements - $10, and the same earrings will cost only $2.
2. Clothing and footwear. It is better to choose similar products in shopping malls. A branded T-shirt can be bought for $15, sneakers for $50.
   
   

   Silk items are preferred, which are distinguished by naturalness and quality. Their prices start at $10. According to experienced tourists, silk products must be measured, and if you buy not for yourself, then choose copies one size larger. This is due to the peculiarity of the natural material "sit down" after washing.

3. Embroidered products. These are very beautiful and popular souvenirs. You can choose from silk-embroidered handkerchiefs to tablecloths, tapestries and paintings. But for such goods it is better to go to the factory or to specialized stores. The purchase price starts from $100.
4. Leather goods. It can be belts, wallets, women's and men's bags. Moreover, you will have to choose products from exclusive snake or crocodile skin at “ridiculous” prices - from 2 to 20 dollars.

   
   
   

In Halong Bay, tourists like to visit the following shopping establishments:

• Ha Long Pearl (pearl shop);
• Ha Long Night Market (night market);
• Viet Yacht (souvenir shop);
• Bai Chay Commercial Center (mall);
• Halong Tourism Market - Day Tours (shopping tour shop).

Holidays in Halong Bay will be remembered for a long time by the colorful sunsets and sunrises, the indescribable beauty of outlandish landscapes, the warm coast and the caressing waves of the ocean. All this must be seen with your own eyes.