Halong Bay, located in northeastern Vietnam, is renowned for its natural beauty and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. With its scenic beauty, it attracts tourists from all over the world. Whether you are interested in culture, adventure, or relaxation, Halong has something to offer. In this article of San Hotel Series, we will discuss the different types of travelling, why you should choose a Halong day tour, the stops on the tour, what to prepare for the trip, and what to eat in Halong.
Types of Traveling in Ha Long
Halong tourism offers various types of travelling for tourists. These include:
- Sightseeing Tours – These tours offer visitors the chance to explore the caves, islands, and other attractions in the Bay. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing cruises, visit caves and entertainment areas, and swim at the islands in the Gulf.
- Cultural Tourism – For those who are passionate about culture, this type of tourism offers the opportunity to visit archaeological sites and learn about the tangible and intangible cultural values of the Bay.
- Ecotourism – This type of tourism is ideal for nature lovers who want to explore the mountainous, unspoiled island areas, and the waters with rare coral reefs in the Gulf.
- Sports Tourism – For adventure seekers, sports tourism offers activities such as scuba diving, climbing, and kayaking.
- Overnight on the Bay – Visitors can watch the sunset and spend the night on the Bay, enjoying the taste of the sea and the golden moonlight shimmering on the sea surface. Currently, over 100 cruise ships have been licensed to operate overnight accommodation services on the Bay.
Why You Should Choose a HaLong Day Tour
A Ha Long day tour is an excellent option for those who want to explore the beauty of Halong Bay in a limited time. These tours are affordable and provide a chance to see the major attractions of the Bay. The day tour also saves time and money, as the tour agency takes care of all arrangements, including transportation and lunch. Additionally, visitors get the opportunity to meet other travellers and make new friends.
>>> See more: Discovering the Best Ha Long Bay Day Trip from Ha Noi 2023
The Stops of the Day Tour
There are two popular routes for a Halong day tour:
- Route 1 – This route covers Cho Da Island, Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Islet (Trong Mai), Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Fishing Village Ba Hang, and ends at the Ship Port.
Cho Da Island – This is a small island with a unique rock formation resembling a dog. The island is a popular spot for tourists to take photos and admire the natural beauty of the area.
Dinh Huong Island – This island is another notable rock formation in the bay, shaped like an incense burner. The island is a popular stop for cruises to take photos and enjoy the scenic views.
Ga Choi Islet (Trong Mai) – Also known as the Fighting Cocks Islet, this limestone karst island is a popular attraction in the bay. The island is shaped like two roosters fighting, and visitors can admire the impressive rock formations while taking a boat tour around the area.
Thien Cung Cave – This cave is one of the largest and most beautiful in Halong Bay, known for its stalactites and stalagmites formations. The cave is located on Dau Go Island and visitors can take a guided tour inside to admire the stunning rock formations and learn about the history of the cave.
Dau Go Cave – This cave is located on the same island as Thien Cung Cave, and is another impressive natural wonder in Halong Bay. Visitors can take a guided tour inside the cave to admire the unique rock formations and learn about the history of the cave.
Fishing Village Ba Hang – This floating fishing village is a popular stop on many Halong Bay cruises, where visitors can learn about the local culture and lifestyle of the villagers. The village is located near three beautiful caves, which visitors can explore by boat.
Ship Port – The final stop on Route 1, where the cruise ends and passengers disembark.
- Route 2 – This route includes the Ship Port, Dog Stone Island, Dinh Huong Island, Trong Mai Islet, Surprise Cave, TiTop Island, Luon Cave, and ends at the Ship Port.
Ship Port – The starting point of Route 2, where passengers board the cruise ship.
Dog Stone Island – This small island is named after its resemblance to a dog. The island is a popular spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenic views of Halong Bay.
Dinh Huong Island – This island is another notable rock formation in the bay, shaped like an incense burner. The island is a popular stop for cruises to take photos and admire the natural beauty of the area.
Trong Mai Islet – Also known as the Fighting Cocks Islet, this limestone karst island is a popular attraction in the bay. The island is shaped like two roosters fighting, and visitors can admire the impressive rock formations while taking a boat tour around the area.
Surprise Cave – This is one of the largest and most popular caves in Halong Bay, known for its stunning rock formations and unique lighting. Visitors can take a guided tour inside the cave to admire the beauty and learn about the history of the cave.
TiTop Island – This small island is named after the famous Vietnamese hero Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Visitors can climb to the top of the island to admire the stunning views of Halong Bay.
Luon Cave – This cave is located on Bo Hon Island, and is known for its unique features, including a freshwater lake and a small tunnel that visitors can paddle through in a bamboo boat.
Ship Port – The final stop on Route 2, where the cruise ends and passengers disembark.
What to Prepare on HaLong Day Tour?
To enjoy your Halong day tour, you need to prepare the necessary items for your trip. These include:
- Swimwear – To enjoy swimming at the islands in the Gulf.
- Sunscreen – To protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Towels and Shawls – To dry off after swimming and cover up when needed.
- Underwear and Beachwear – Comfortable clothing for the trip.
- Beach Shoes – To protect your feet on the beach.
- Hats and Sunglasses – To protect your face and eyes from the sun.
- Swimming Goggles – For underwater sightseeing.
- Personal Toiletries – Including milk, bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, cotton swab, comb, razor, and waterproof cosmetics.
- Medicines – Prepare some medicines such as digestive medicine, medicines for colds, sore throats, antipyretics, cream for insect stings, and anti-scratch drugs.
What to Eat in Ha Long?
Halong is famous for its seafood, and there are many restaurants from high-end to affordable for you to choose from. Here are some delicious dishes of Halong specialties that you must try:
- White Sticky Rice with Squid – Fresh, fragrant sticky rice eaten with golden squid rolls dipped in delicious pepper sauce.
- Squid Roll Cake – Meat rolls with mushrooms, wood ear, fragrant with the smell of shrimp and fried onions, accompanied by the specialty of Halong squid cake to create an unforgettable taste.
- Sa Sung – Also known as sandworm, a type of seafood that is probably only found in Halong. Sauteed fresh sago with garlic to form a delicious dish.
- Sam – An arthropod crustacean. From sea sam, people can make a lot of different delicious and strange dishes such as sam soup, sam salad, fried sweet and sour sam’s feet, fried sam with chili pepper, crispy fried sam’s eggs, fried sam’s eggs with guise leaves, steamed sam, fried dough sam, grilled sam’s cartilage, and fried sam vermicelli.
- Cake “Nod” – A dish made of finely chopped pork skin mixed with beans or roasted rice and pounded roasted peanuts, all mixed together very well.
- Soybean in Tien Yen – A hybrid duck, the taste has both and is processed by Tien Yen people to become more delicious.
- Hoanh Bo Soaked Sticky Rice Wine – Made from local specialty glutinous rice, soaked with yeast leaves taken from Hoanh Bo forest, the wine has a sour, sweet taste, has a stimulating effect on digestion and refreshment, especially in the summer.
In terms of pricing, Halong is not too expensive for a famous tourist area. Visitors can find affordable accommodation and dining options.
In conclusion, a trip to Halong Bay is a necessity for anyone who appreciates nature and wishes to enjoy the splendor of Vietnam. Halong Bay is an ideal location for both families and lone tourists, thanks to its numerous tourist attractions and low-cost cruises. Visitors to Halong can participate in a range of activities, ranging from sightseeing excursions to overnight cruises. Don’t forget to pack your supplies, sample the excellent seafood, and take in the breathtaking landscape of Halong Bay.
