Not only recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site, Ha Long Bay also appears on many world-famous lists, such as one of the 12 most impressive coastal areas in the world, the most fascinating fishing spot in the world, the most beautiful selfie spot on the planet, and more.
Ha Long Bay is beloved by nature, blessed with an ecosystem comprising nearly 2,000 variously shaped islands, alongside the emerald sea, white sand, and a system of mystical caves. When you come to Ha Long, merely sightseeing, swimming, and enjoying local cuisine may not be enough. Try to experience one of the following activities.
1/ Spend a Night on the Bay
This is the most preferred experience for many nature enthusiasts. You will have the chance to drift on the sea aboard ships, exploring every nook and cranny of Ha Long Bay. Spending a night on a boat in the bay, participating in lively seafood feasts or squid fishing in the open sea, it will be an incredibly thrilling experience. Spending the night on the bay, tourists can admire the beautiful sunset and even witness the moment when the sun rises over the vast sea.
Late at night, when everything falls into silence, with only the sound of waves, thin mist, and sea breeze surrounding you, that’s when you can fully enjoy a sense of peace like never before.
2/ Kayaking
One of the experiences that are hard to resist in Ha Long is kayaking. National Geographic once selected Ha Long Bay as one of the top 25 kayaking destinations in the world. This activity is highly favored by foreign tourists as you can paddle gently on the emerald waters or explore the mysterious limestone caves of Ha Long Bay while sitting in small kayaks. Paddling a kayak allows you to freely explore Vung Vieng fishing village, Cong Dam, and admire the beautiful scenery on the bay, as well as the daily life of the local people.
However, kayaking can be considered a somewhat dangerous sport, especially for those who don’t know how to swim or panic easily. Nevertheless, to truly appreciate the grandeur of Ha Long Bay and explore its magnificent cliffs, rock formations, and beautiful cliffs, you should not miss this opportunity.
3/ Scenic Flight Over Ha Long Bay
The journey to explore Ha Long Bay from the air begins from Tuan Chau and flies around the entire bay area. You can also land in the middle of the bay, depending on your chosen itinerary. There are 5-10 sightseeing flights over the bay every day. Sitting on a seaplane and taking in the vast expanse of the bay, you will understand why Ha Long is one of the seven wonders of the world and why it consistently makes it onto the lists of famous travel destinations worldwide.
The cost of a seaplane ride can be up to a few million dong per trip. However, for those who can afford it, you will enjoy the exhilarating feeling of being suspended in the air, admiring countless hidden rock islets beneath the emerald waters, and feeling that the money spent is well worth it.
4/ Night Squid Fishing in Fishing Villages
Ha Long is not only known for its mystical natural beauty but also for its genuinely rustic and sincere people. They live in scattered fishing villages within the bay area, such as Vung Vieng, Cua Van, and Ba Hang. Their daily life creates a peaceful and serene environment that is unique to Ha Long.
Spending an entire evening in these fishing villages, tourists can use simple wooden boats, immerse themselves in the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, witness the magnificent natural scenery, learn about the cultural life of fishermen, and even learn how to row a boat. However, the most popular experience among many is squid fishing with the local fishermen. After that, you can savor the fruits of your labor with seafood dishes prepared from the catch.
5/ Visit the Wax Figure Museum
Although not the first wax figure museum in Vietnam, the wax figure exhibition in Ha Long is the largest in the country. You can visit the museum for an entrance fee of 100,000 VND. Here, you can take photos with wax figures of movie stars, powerful politicians, famous scientists, and renowned athletes. Each wax figure is meticulously crafted to resemble real-life figures, including their skin, hair, eyelashes, clothing, and expressions.
6/ Ride the Giant Cable Car
The Queen Cable Car is designed and built with the consultation and design of two world-renowned designers, Doppelmayr (Austria) and Garaventa (Switzerland). The cable car is 2,222 meters long with 2 cable towers. Unlike previous cable car systems, the Queen Cable Car consists of only 2 cabins with a transportation capacity of about 2,000 passengers per hour. Riding the Queen Cable Car, you will traverse Cua Luc Bay and experience the journey from Bai Chay Beach to Ba Deo Mountain (Hon Gai).
This project has received two Guinness World Records for having the largest capacity cabins (accommodating up to 230 people per cabin) and the highest cable tower above the ground (tower T1 is 188.88 meters high).
