Trips and Tours to Halong Bay

Some 2,000 islands and islets pepper the waters of Halong Bay from uninhabitable karst formations to developed sanctuaries. The best known is the jungle-clad Cat Ba Island with a small town that serves as an excellent base for outdoor activities in the wild interior of the island and for visits to the gorgeous beaches that line the Lan Ha Bay area. For the best panoramic views of Halong Bay head to the summit of Dao Titop island, a small island centrally located within the bay that also claims its own white-sand beach.

A number of floating villages cling to the jagged edges of Halong's islands where families make a living from fish farming. A village is usually home to between 200-600 people who live in rickety houses that gently bob on the water, tied to their neighbours for greater protection from the elements. In order to get close to the villages, junk boat passengers embark on a short row boat ride to the communities of either Ba Hang, Cua Van, Vung Vieng or Cong Dam.

One of the best ways to truly appreciate the beauty of Halong Bay - its islands, beaches and floating villages - is by kayak. The majority of junk boat operators offer kayaking trips to places where larger boats just cannot reach with a leisurely paddle on the water allowing the opportunity to pass under bridge-like karst formations and deep caves. Kayaking is ideal here in Halong Bay as the thousands of islands form a natural wind breaker resulting in calm waters and minimal currents.

The most convenient way to reach Halong Bay from Hanoi is by road. The journey takes around 3-4 hours on a straight and well-trodden route. Private transfers will cover the entire distance between your hotel in Hanoi and Bai Chay harbour where the junk boats dock. The majority of people visiting Halong Bay will come from or at least transit through Hanoi as this is also the closest international airport.