Ha Long travel experiences

Traveling to Ha Long is a wonderful experience with majestic natural scenery, a wonder bay and many interesting activities. Below are some useful Ha Long travel experiences to help you have a complete and economical trip.

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Summary of Ha Long travel experiences

1. Ideal time to travel to Ha Long

• March – May and September – November : Pleasant weather, little rain, calm sea, suitable for yachting and swimming.
• Summer (June – August) : Sunny and suitable for swimming, but there may be storms – keep an eye on the weather forecast.
• Winter (December – February) : Cold weather, few visitors, suitable for resort tourism.

2. Travel to Ha Long

• From Hanoi:
  • Passenger car: About 150,000 – 250,000 VND/trip, travel time 2.5 – 3 hours.
  • Limousine: VIP seats, price around 200,000 – 350,000 VND/trip.
  • Self-driving: About 160km, take the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long highway.
• From Ho Chi Minh City/Da Nang : Fly to Van Don or Cat Bi airport (Hai Phong) then take a bus to Ha Long.

3. Accommodation in Ha Long

• Bai Chay Area : Bustling place, many hotels, homestays, restaurants, near Sun World.
• Hon Gai Area : Quiet, reasonable price, near market and residential area.
• Overnight cruise on the bay : High-class experience, price from 2 – 6 million/person/night.

4. Highlights

On the bay:

• Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave
• Rooster and Hen Islet, Incense Burner Islet
• Cua Van fishing village
• Titop Island (mountain climbing, swimming, panoramic view of the bay)
• Bai Tu Long Bay (less crowded, more pristine than Ha Long Bay)

Ashore:

• Sun World Ha Long Complex : Large amusement park, with Queen cable car.
• Quang Ninh Museum : Beautiful architecture, rich content.
• Ha Long market, Ha Long night market
• Bai Chay Bridge : Beautiful at night.

5. Activities to try

• Bay cruise (half day or full day)
• Kayaking
• Swimming at Titop Island or Bai Chay
• Overnight on cruise
• Eat fresh seafood at floating restaurants

6. What to eat in Ha Long?

• Ha Long squid cake (famous, should try at Ha Long market or Ba Hong Seafood restaurant)
• Sandworm : Rare specialty, quite expensive
• Mantis shrimp vermicelli, shrimp vermicelli
• Fresh seafood : shrimp, crab, oysters, clams…
• Sea cucumber : Processed into many dishes such as sweet and sour stir-fry, sea cucumber eggs…

7. Notes & saving tips

• Book tickets and rooms early if traveling on holidays or weekends.
• Compare cruise prices and read reviews carefully before choosing.
• Even though it is a tourist area, you should still ask prices before eating/drinking/shopping .
• Bring sunscreen, motion sickness medication , sneakers, swimsuit.
• If you want to save money, you can join a group tour or book your own boat ticket to visit the bay at Tuan Chau port.

Smile Travel (Hanoi‑based)

• Official Name: Công Ty TNHH Du Lịch Nụ Cười Nhật Minh (Smile Travel Co., Ltd).
• Headquarters: Hanoi (Long Biên District)
• Licensing & Reputation:
  • Holds a recognized International Tour Operator license (No. 01‑1051/2018/TCDL‑GPLHQT)
  • Member of tourism associations like PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) and HUTC (UNESCO Hanoi Travel Club)
• Services & Strengths:
  • Offers a wide range of inbound/outbound tours across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, including Halal/Muslim‑friendly itineraries
  • Provides cruise services (e.g., Ha Long Bay cruises), visa support, MICE programs, transport rental, accommodations, and bespoke tour designs

Would you like assistance with contacting the tour provider, checking availability, or exploring alternative itineraries (e.g., including the Cu Chi Tunnels or overnighting in My Tho)? Just let me know—I’m here to help plan your perfect Muslim-friendly trip!

Have you found a reputable company and tour yet? Contact smile travel to get the best tour schedule and price.

SMILE TRAVEL CO.,LTD

• Hotline/ Whatsapp/Line/Viber: +84 346190168
• Email: smiletravelindochina@gmail.com
• Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/smiletravelindochina
• Websites: smiletrave.net  / vietnamhalongbay.com

If you want to travel to Ha Long, Vietnam, please refer to the above experiences and choose a reputable travel company like Smile Travel to ensure safety and the best price!