It is sure that a trip to the north of Vietnam is never complete without a visit to Halong Bay. Its inspirational beauty and stunning karsts make the bay one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international travelers for decades.

Along with being added to the list of UNESCO’s world heritage site, it is home to over 1600 islets, where their limestone have been worn down by the tropical downpours as well as topped by the lush jungle growth. While a few islands are so hollow that breathtaking caves have been created, other larger ones have their own lakes.

The bay also gets its name famous, thanks to a lot of legendary myths about the formation of Halong bay. The common one is about dragons that were sent here by gods to protect this S-shaped country from invaders. When trying best to defend Vietnam, the dragons began to spit jades and jewels to the sea, which then turned into the islands and islets. At that time, a solid protecting wall against these invaders was created. As a result, the name of Ha Long is also understood as “the Descending Dragon.” Today, let’s find out more about Halong Travel Guide here now!

How to go to Halong Bay

Thanks to its popularity and modern access, getting to Halong Bay is much easier, which you can start from anywhere in Vietnam and other neighboring countries. Refer to details below:

• By plane: From Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Nha Trang, you can book a flight to Hanoi or Hai Phong Airport, and then catch a taxi or car to the bay.
• By car: This is considered the most popular way to reach Halong Bay by following Highway 18 that tends to pass by Bai Chay Road, Tuan Chau Island, and Hon Gai Bridge.
• Other means: If you wish to enjoy a luxurious vacation, then traveling to Halong by helicopter is a nice idea. It takes around 2 hours and only accessible from Hanoi. 

Best Time to Visit

Best time to say hello to Halong is said to depend on your travel purpose and your own definition of an ideal trip. If the weather is your main concern, then from September to November and from March to May are indeed perfect for this trip. In case you are a budget traveler, then make sure to schedule your journey in the period of May and September. At that time, you are luckily able to hunt for a few great discounts on a cruise trip. But, keep yourself cautious as the risk of bad weather can even go up during the months of July and August (see our tours to Halong Bay here).