Top 10 Unmissable and Must-See Ha Long Attractions

Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning admirer, Ha Long Bay offers a magical experience that combines natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventurous activities. Let me take you on a journey through Ha Long attractions, the serene waters of the bay, exploring hidden caves, ancient villages, and breathtaking viewpoints. Prepare to be mesmerized by the enchanting landscapes and the tranquility that Ha Long offers.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay Tourism – Halong Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, is recognized by the world as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Due to its majestic and pristine beauty, Ha Long Bay tours are always a top choice for many domestic and international tourists seeking to explore and travel. Halong Bay is not only famous for its countless stunning limestone formations, from large and small islands to mysterious limestone caves, but it also proudly appears on the 200,000 VND, showcasing the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

Some famous tourist destinations in Halong Bay that you shouldn’t miss include Surprise Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Ti Top Island, Cua Van Fishing Village, Luon Cave, Hon Trong Mai, Bai Tu Long Bay… These are renowned attractions and have become symbols of Halong Bay. Visitors who haven’t visited these attractions in Halong Bay will surely regret it. However, these attractions are divided into different routes, so to visit all of them, you may need to take multiple routes.

Surprise Cave

Surprise Cave is nestled within Ha Long Bay, located on Bo Hon Island, about 8 km from Tuần Châu Tourist Wharf – considered the hub of Halong Bay’s UNESCO World Natural Heritage. The cave is about 25 – 30 meters above sea level, and visitors only need to climb 140 stone steps to reach the entrance. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, living up to its name “Surprise Cave.” Indeed, visitors will be amazed by the beauty of nature here. 

The cave’s ceiling is covered with a smooth “velvet carpet” and an enchanting system of stalactites resembling crystal chandeliers, enhancing the cave’s surreal beauty. Additionally, the world of limestone stalactites with diverse shapes such as statues, elephants, seals, trays of food, leaves… all seem to sway between reality and dreams. According to the management plan of Ha Long Bay, Surprise Cave belongs to route 02 – the main visiting route for tourists who want to experience overnight stays on Halong Bay cruises with famous destinations such as Titop Island and Luon Cave.

Quang Ninh Museum

Quang Ninh Museum – Library is likened to a precious black pearl shining brightly beside Halong Bay. With its innovative and elegant design, the square building with its entirely black exterior has attracted many Halong Bay tourists to visit and take photos. Quang Ninh Museum is designed with 3 floors, each floor representing a different theme closely associated with the characteristics of Quang Ninh land throughout history. Floor 1 showcases the theme of the sea and nature, floor 2 houses historical values, and floor 3 recreates the history of coal mining. This is definitely a must-visit destination in Halong Bay if you want to learn about the life and distinctive cultural characteristics of the people here.

Yen Tu Heritage Site

Yen Tu, also known as Bach Van Son, is a 1,068m high mountain with its summit covered in white clouds, located in the Dong Trieu range, belonging to Thượng Yên Công commune, Uong Bi city. Since ancient times, it has been considered a famous scenic spot in Vietnam. 

In the 10th century, the monk Yen Ky Sinh came here to practice and attained enlightenment, but Yen Tu only became famous when King Tran Nhan Tong – a prosperous king (late 13th century) abandoned his throne to come here to practice Buddhism and became the first Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect with the Buddhist name Dieu Nguc Giai Hoang. Since then, Yen Tu has become the spiritual center of Vietnamese Buddhism, marking the development of philosophy and thought of the contemporary people. Through many ups and downs, the remaining relics at Yen Tu include 11 pagodas and hundreds of temples, towers, steles, statues, representing various architectural styles and sculptures from different eras.

Tuan Chau Island

The entertainment area on Tuan Chau Island has been formed with the centerpiece being a water music art performance combining water, music, and light to create an artistic masterpiece. Additionally, visitors can participate in underwater performances featuring acrobatic displays by dolphins and sea lions. Furthermore, visitors can engage in other exciting sports activities such as underwater entertainment services including canoeing, high-speed water skiing, sightseeing tours of Halong by tourist boat, luxury yachts, seaplanes… 

Tuan Chau Island today is an indispensable destination for most tourists visiting Halong. Besides, Tuan Chau Island also has a 2 km artificial beach, where visitors can freely enjoy the waves amidst the clear blue sea. Near the beach is a 50-room villa area meeting international 5-star standards, providing guests with moments of relaxation.

Thien Cung Cave

Located on the north side of Dau Go Island, about 4km south of the tourist harbor. Discovered by a fisherman in 1993, the cave is about 25 meters above sea level, with a steep, rocky path leading to it, covered by a dense vegetation. Entering the cave, visitors will be immersed in a completely new space with an area of ​​nearly 10,000 square meters and divided into 3 compartments. Especially, in any place, every space, visitors can see a system of stalactites, stalagmites… stimulating the imagination of each visitor with strange shapes such as dragons, phoenixes, elephants, snakes, fairies, alongside visitors also imagine the blocks. 

The stalactite helps to recall the legend “Dragon – Fairy Grandson”. Truly, when visiting the cave, visitors feel like they are lost in a fairyland scene, exactly as the name “Thien Cung Cave” suggests, meaning the Palace of the Celestial Palace… Today, Thien Cung Cave is a favorite stopover attracting many domestic and international tourists to visit and explore the cave. If tourists want to visit, they can simply book day tours or 2-day overnight stays at hotels with exciting sightseeing itineraries.

Bai Chay Bridge

Bai Chay Bridge is located on National Highway 18, Quang Ninh Province, connecting Bai Chay and Hon Gai. The suspension bridge with a total length of 903m leaves tourists in awe when first setting foot in the mining land. The bridge resembles a thin silk strip spanning the Luc River, together with the surrounding scenery, creating a beautiful and harmonious picture, becoming the pride of the people of Quang Ninh.

Luon Cave

Here, besides the majestic natural scenery, visitors also have the opportunity to participate in one of the most preferred activities by many Halong visitors, which is kayaking (visitors can choose the option of rowing themselves – with local people rowing). Luon Cave is one of the most beautiful kayaking spots in Halong Bay. With a length of only about 100 meters, but the journey through one of the largest and most beautiful limestone caves in Halong Bay will bring each visitor a sense of excitement and admiration for the beautiful and natural limestone formations hanging down from the cave ceiling. 

After passing through the cave, you will encounter a secluded, calm water basin, surrounded by lush trees and steep cliffs. Especially, if lucky, visitors will encounter wild golden-haired monkeys living here and rare seabirds. It will be a wonderful and memorable experience when visitors can kayak by themselves and enjoy the feeling of floating on the clear blue waters of Halong Bay and weaving through the moss-covered limestone islands millions of years old. Moreover, visitors will also enjoy the fascinating aspects and beauty of Halong in their own way.

Read More: Best 15 Things To Do In Ha Long Bay

Titop Island

Located about 8 km southeast of Tuần Châu International Tourist Port and after a 2-hour cruise, you will arrive at the center of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. There is an island considered the most famous of Halong Bay. Indeed, this is an ideal place for every visitor to immerse themselves in the clear waters and natural scenery of Halong. Additionally, if you are someone who enjoys photography, Titop Island is a must-visit spot. After climbing about 400 steps, you will reach the top of Titop Island, where you can freely admire Halong from above (most beautiful photos from above in Halong are taken here). 

With a 360-degree view, you can completely admire the panoramic view of the bay from many different angles. It is worth the effort to climb a bit if you can appreciate the beauty of Halong from the top of Ti Top – especially for young tourists who enjoy photography and checking in. To reach this famous island, visitors can join the Halong 1-day program (6 – 8 hours on the bay) or book overnight Halong cruises because most cruises currently operating on Halong Bay share this famous destination.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, in the Northeast region of Vietnam. Bai Tu Long Bay includes a sea area of ​​Quang Ninh city, Cam Pha city, and Van Don island district. To the southwest, it borders Halong Bay, to the east the sea, to the west the mainland with Cam Pha city and to the northeast the Co To island district. Bai Tu Long Bay includes hundreds of large and small islands, among which there are many large islands with populations. 

If Halong Bay is a beautiful and resplendent girl, then Bai Tu Long Bay is a pure and captivating maiden. Indeed, Bai Tu Long Bay along with Halong has become one of the natural wonders of the world, which is also why the eco-tourism company Gecko Travel (UK) voted Bai Tu Long Bay of Vietnam into the top 5 most wonderful tourist destinations in Southeast Asia (in 2006). 

Conclusion

From the tranquil beauty of its islands to the warmth of its local communities, these Ha Long attractions have contributed to an unforgettable journey. As you leave, take with you not just photographs, but memories of a place where nature, culture, and history blend seamlessly. Ha Long Bay is a testament to the wonders of our world, a place that stays with you long after you’ve departed its shores. 

Ha Long Attractions FAQs

What makes Ha Long Bay special?

Ha Long Bay is distinguished by its unparalleled natural beauty, characterized by thousands of towering limestone islands and islets emerging from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. These magnificent karst formations, sculpted over millions of years by the forces of nature, create a surreal and awe-inspiring landscape that is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Ha Long Bay’s ethereal beauty, coupled with its rich biodiversity and cultural significance, has earned it the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place among the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

How can I explore Ha Long Bay?

Exploring Ha Long Bay offers a plethora of exciting options to immerse oneself in its breathtaking beauty. One popular way is by embarking on a cruise, allowing visitors to leisurely sail through the bay’s maze of limestone karsts, stopping to explore caves, swim in secluded coves, and visit floating fishing villages. Alternatively, adventurous travelers can rent kayaks or join guided kayaking tours to paddle through narrow channels and hidden lagoons, getting up close to the towering cliffs and lush greenery. For those seeking a unique perspective, seaplane tours provide aerial views of the bay’s stunning landscape. 

What activities can I do in Ha Long Bay?

In Ha Long Bay, a plethora of activities awaits eager adventurers amidst its stunning natural backdrop. Visitors can embark on cave explorations to marvel at the intricate formations of Surprise Cave or Thien Cung Cave, or opt for a scenic hike on Ti Top Island for panoramic views. Kayaking through serene waters, swimming in secluded lagoons, and snorkeling to discover vibrant marine life are popular water-based activities. For a cultural immersion, visiting floating fishing villages like Cua Van offers insight into local life. Additionally, attending water music performances on Tuan Chau Island provides a glimpse into traditional Vietnamese culture. 

How long should I spend in Ha Long Bay?

The ideal duration to fully appreciate the beauty and charm of Ha Long Bay largely depends on personal preferences and available time. While a single day trip offers a glimpse of the bay’s highlights, spending at least two to three days allows for a more immersive experience. This timeframe enables visitors to embark on leisurely cruises, explore caves, kayak through tranquil waters, and relax on pristine beaches without feeling rushed. Overnight cruises offer the opportunity to witness stunning sunsets and sunrises, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the experience.