Ha Long Bay, or the Bay of the Descending Dragon, is a maritime area spanning 1,500 km2 near the northern coast of Vietnam. It is located near the Chinese border and 170 km east of Hanoi, the country’s capital. Ha Long Bay is renowned for its vast number of islands of various shapes and sizes; karst limestone pillars that rise imposingly throughout the area. Ha Long Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, and since 2011, it has been one of the seven natural wonders of the world, along with Iguazu Falls in Argentina, Table Mountain in South Africa, the Amazon in South America, Jeju Island in Korea, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines.
A Legendary Name
The name Ha Long means “descending dragon”. This name comes from a local legend that tells how many centuries ago, when the inhabitants of what is now Vietnam were fighting against Chinese invaders attacking them by sea, the gods sent dragons to protect them. These dragons spat out jade stones, jewels, and precious stones, which, upon falling into the sea, transformed into the islets we see today in the bay, acting as a natural wall that blocked the advance of Chinese ships. After the victory over the Chinese, the local inhabitants formed the country currently known as Vietnam.
2-Day Itinerary through “Dragon Bay”
If you arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, or plan to travel through the northern part of the country, you cannot miss the opportunity to witness the beauty of Ha Long Bay with your own eyes. However, getting to Ha Long Bay can be somewhat complex, and booking a quality tour can be like betting everything on one color at the roulette table: a great success or a handful of wasted Dongs. In this post, we will give you some tips for visiting Dragon Bay from Hanoi and cruising the bay by boat for two days. You will complete the itinerary always on the same boat – where you will eat and sleep – visiting beaches, islands, and kayaking.
Getting to Ha Long on your own: an odyssey (even dangerous)
The roads in this area of Vietnam are in quite poor condition. If you plan to travel on your own, consider this factor, which makes it even more critical due to the somewhat reckless driving style of the Vietnamese. Trucks overtaking other trucks, which in turn are overtaking motorcycles on a road full of potholes and ruts.
Choose a bus, public transport, or an agency that picks you up at your hotel
If you have extensive experience riding motorcycles and also choose a powerful model that does not hinder other drivers, the journey will likely proceed without major complications. In any case, we recommend that you arrange your transportation with a specialized agency that will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and transfer you to Tuan Chau Harbor.
Starting Point: Tuan Chau
Tuan Chau is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge nearly 2 kilometers long, and it serves as the departure port for almost all boats destined to navigate the waters of Ha Long Bay. The journey from Hanoi is about 160 km, although due to the condition of the roads, it can take up to three hours. If the bus picks you up at your Hanoi hotel at 8:00 AM, expect to arrive in Tuan Chau around 11:00 AM.
Recommended Cruise Line: Alisa Premier Cruises
Upon arrival in Tuan Chau, you will find many cruise companies offering their bay tour services. From OneMoreDestination, we recommend Alisa Premier Cruises, which has been operating in the waters of Ha Long Bay since 2003. We advise you to contact them several days in advance to secure your spot and cabin, as their cruise ships are often in high demand. Alisa Premier’s ships are 4-star, and we can assure you that their services are of exceptional quality!
First Stop: Hoi An or Phu Quoc
The authentic and true Halong experience is sailing through the islands on a boat that offers all amenities. However, depending on the chosen itinerary, you will make several stops at islands with paradisiacal beaches. Two places that OneMoreDestination.com recommends are Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Cat Ba Island is very famous among backpackers, although its waters are somewhat polluted, the island is very crowded with backpackers, and we do not recommend visiting it.
Boat Trip to Floating Villages
When the area becomes too narrow and confined for the ship, you will be disembarked into smaller boats to venture into the floating villages of the inhabitants of this part of Halong. One of the best-known villages is Cua Van.
Optional Kayak Route
You will also have the option to rent a kayak to get an even closer look at the islets and, with luck, some of the animals that inhabit the bay, such as monkeys.
Second Stop: Coconut Tree Island or Ti Top
Another common stop is Rang Dua (Coconut Tree Island in Vietnamese) or Ti Top Island. The former is an island entirely covered by coconut palms, and the latter is a stunning island with a paradisiacal beach offering a dreamlike landscape.
Third Stop: Sung Sot Cave
On the morning of the second day, the boat will likely set sail toward one of the top attractions in Ha Long Bay: the famous Sung Sot Caves. Sung Sot is the largest cave in the bay and one of the most visited sites in Ha Long. The stalactite formations, accompanied by lighting that highlights the shadows and silhouettes of the geological structures, make Sung Sot a very interesting visit.
Fourth Stop: Cat Ba
After visiting Sung Sot, the boat will head back to Cat Ba port, making intermediate stops at some emblematic islets famous for their whimsical shapes.
