Halong Bay

Halong Bay Trips & Tours

Halong Bay

Set sail on a regal junk boat, soaking up the fantastical, turquoise scenes.

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Halong Bay Trips & Tours

An incomparable scene of ethereal limestone islands and mist-swirled waters
Gracing the cover of many a Vietnamese travel brochure are the James Bond-worthy karsts of Halong Bay, rising mysteriously out of the startling emerald waters. Despite their ubiquitous marketing nature, seeing the bay in the flesh for the first time is spine-tingling and wonderful. Legend has it that the 1000 limestone pinnacles are the jewels of spitting dragons, left behind to protect the northern coastline from foreign invaders. Whether that or dazzling geology, the area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and quite rightly so. The most popular way to explore the coves, islets and grottoes is on a luxury junk boat; both overnight and day cruises are possible, with a variety of options to add-on including kayak trips, lunch on sandy beaches, and swimming in hidden lagoons. If time is short, jet in from Hanoi by seaplane and take to the skies in a heli for exceptional views of the seascape from above.
Things to do

What to do in Halong Bay

Shrouded in legend and one of the new Natural Wonders of the World, Halong Bay is among the most spectacular destinations in Vietnam. You'll likely sail its aquamarine waters and meander between striking towers of limestone in a luxury junk boat, stopping for daily adventures along the way. Travelling in a smaller vessel, you could spend the day at a hidden beach, swimming and snorkelling whenever you like, or paddle across the water at your own pace in a kayak. If you fancy it, visit a floating fishing village or explore some of the bay's most beautiful caves, learning all about their history and lore - Sung Sot Cave is a definite favourite! You can also trek into the jungles of Cat Ba National Park to spot macaque monkeys, deer and beautiful birdlife, and take in panoramic views of Halong Bay. It is usually mist-free between March and April, making this an ideal time to visit.

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Why you'll love it

Why you'll love it

Stay overnight on a junk and savour the blazing, fireball sunsets of the evening, and rise early in for a mellow Tai Chi class on the deck at sunrise.
Off the beaten track

Off the beaten track

Rent a junk exclusively and dictate the pace and direction of your float, dropping anchor wherever you’d like and taking a sunset dip in a wave-carved grotto…
Something to think about

Something to think about

Halong is northern Vietnam’s number one tourist hub and visitors are drawn in their thousands. One way to avoid the crowds is to explore the neighbouring and much less-visited Lan Ha Bay, or spend at least 2 nights on a junk in Halong and sail further afield.
Best time to visit

When to go on a Halong Bay Trip

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Based on 12 Feefo Reviews for Vietnam

My SE Asia trip with Timbuktu was Amazing
Jeff Peck
My SE Asia trip with Timbuktu was Amazing
April 2024
Journey Through Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam
The Timbuktu team did an amazing job putting together an itinerary that got better every day. All the places I visited and journeys I went on were not ones I could have found myself. The schedule had me stopping and enjoying where I was now and looking forward to those to come. Your execution of the trip was outstanding and flawless. I was always met when I disembarked from whatever mode of transportation I was on by a friendly and smiling face. Each guide in every location was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly! Each time we parted, I felt like I was leaving a new friend. The accommodations were also amazing. First class with a local feel. All the hotels had wonderful staff and service, and no room disappointment. The mahogany room in Chiang Khong overlooking the Mekong was truly an experience. My time in northern Thailand with my guide and driver was fascinating. Stopping at the White Temple was inspiring. The boat trip down the Mekong was certainly a highlight. What an experience to visit the villages and the Buddha Temple cave. Luang Prabang was so interesting and full of history. The trip to the falls and the villages made for a wonderful day. I made new friends on the boat trip, and I celebrated Christmas in the night market. And I was up at 5:30 am to watch and offer offerings to the monks. Flying into Hanoi was easy thanks to the airport guide, who got me through customs quickly, and the local guide, who whisked me through the city to the train station. On her advice, we stopped, and I bought sandwiches and drinks for the overnight train trip. I had seen a documentary on this north-to-south train, and it turned out to be another highlight of my trip. In the morning, I was having coffee with my suitemates from India and Vietnam. Although we did not have a common language, we still found a way to laugh. The stop in Hue was mystical on a grey, rainy day, making it the perfect setting for the visit. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, and the driver was fantastic. Overnighting in Da Nang, a 5-star hotel on the beach, was a real treat. And allowed for a morning run along the water, As always, the guide and driver were on time to take me to the train station and pick up a few more sandwiches for the long daytime train ride that day. This was a great way to experience the countryside as it rolled by for many hours. Nha Trang was a perfect rest stop for a few days near the beach with no itinerary. A beautiful hotel with a great gym and an ocean view. Dalat was also amazing. Staying high in the mountains in a beautiful colonial hotel added to the overall experience. My guide was amazing, and after I had New Year's Day to myself to explore, there were so many things I would have missed without the local knowledge. To top off a fantastic trip, the luxury bus ride in my suite just put a big exclamation mark on everything. And just so you made sure I made it, my trip was wrapped up with a local guide in HCMC, who picked me up and delivered me to my hotel. Thank you again for putting together an amazing experience. Everything you did was perfect, and I will certainly be reaching out again soon for more experiences!

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