Best time to visit Halong Bay

Coming to Halong Bay, Coming to the Pride of Vietnamese people

If you ask me for a few examples of places to visit at least once in my life, I won’t hesitate to mention the name "Halong Bay". Being inspired by its natural and extraordinary beauty, we believe that Halong Bay well deserves every one of your minutes traveling. And here, please let us give you some reasons to make up your mind!!

For many travelers, Halong is like something right out of a movie. It seems to be full of fantasy and hence too good to be true. Halong Bay has a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed been featured in endless movies. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stunningly picturesque Halong Bay is an excellent choice for an unforgettable getaway. And for more details about what to see and do, which cruise to book, and how to get to Halong Bay, keep reading!

Halong Bay - Something you may not know!

Where is Halong Bay?

Located on the Western side of the Gulf of Tonkin in Northern Vietnam and is surrounded by Bai Tu Long Bay to the east and Lan Ha Bay, home of Cat Ba Island, to the south, covering a total area of 1,553 km2, Halong Bay is one of those destinations you don’t want to miss when traveling this Southeast Asian country. Also, this bay is one of Vietnam’s most prized treasures. It is controlled by more than 1,600 limestone karsts and islets that rise out of the waters of the bay to heights of up to one hundred meters (330 feet), and the various caves and grottos spread throughout the bay.

History of “the Bay wherever the dragon descends”

Vietnam’s ancient and even modern history always maintained the folk imagination and concept of "Con Rồng, cháu Tiên" origin ("Children of Dragon, Grandchildren of Gods"). And Halong Bay is also known as “the land of the dragon”. According to the legend, when Vietnamese people were invaded by foreign invaders, The Jade Emperor appointed Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to help Vietnam fight. While the invaders’ boats from the sea entered massively to the shore, at that same time Dragons landed on earth and immediately ejected a lot of pearls and turned into thousands of rocky islands on the sea creating a solid wall to block the enemy warships. After that fierce battle, the emeralds turned to rocks over time and became the picture of fertility that they are today, sprouting shrubbery and trees along their angled facades. And space, where the dragon landed to guard, is known as Halong now.

What is Halong Bay famous for?

It's title

With outstanding geological and geomorphological value exceptional scenic beauty and one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Ha Long Bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area and stated that “Apart from Halong Bay there are no equivalent sites on the World Heritage List” in 1994 (first time) and second time in 2000. We truly believe this trademark emerald green water and 3,000 islands of towering limestone are worth your visit.

Its natural beauty

No doubt that Halong Bay’s greatest attraction is its natural scenery. With the eminent stone outcrops jutting skyward from the emerald-blue waters, the sheer numbers and size of the islands, islets, and karsts among the bay serve to humble even the most jaded traveler.

The best time for travelers coming with this World Heritage Site

Spring (February to April)

Early spring is truly a great time to visit Halong Bay. Starting your lunar new year with a scenic flight over Halong Bay, taking in bird’s eye views of the gorgeous seascapes, followed by a day cruising the glittering emerald waters of this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, why not?

February: Vietnamese Traditional New Year

Halong Bay spring weather often brings rainy skies and drizzle, avoid wearing white as the streets in Vietnam can get muddy at times. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella, comfortable shoes, and warm clothes in your luggage because the temperature in spring also drops to about 15 Celsius.

March: Great time to visit traditional festivals.

One of the most interesting in Halong in March is the Cherry Blossom Festival which timed over just a few days when the flowers are in bloom. Halong weather in March has usually 6 hours of sunlight, especially from noontime, which is perfect for enjoying a scenic seaplane flight over the bay. If you like peace, March is an ideal time to cruise Halong Bay because it’s a low season which means you likely will not have to share Halong Bay with as many travelers as during other parts of the year.

April: Best Halong Bay weather.

In this month, the temperature starts cooler towards the beginning of the month, then gradually rises to about 23 degrees Celcius as summer approaches. Halong weather April, when it’s not too cold and not too hot, you can freely participate in outdoor activities in this beautiful bay. With a wide range of springtime activities for visitors to enjoy in Halong Bay, whether traveling solo, in a group, or with family, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do. If you visit Halong on unseasonably cold days, here we provide with you a few indoor attractions to visit, including the Quang Ninh Museum (on Tran Quoc Nghien Street). You can spend a few quiet hours learning about the province of Quang Ninh with an entry fee of just VND 30,000 (USD 1.50) per person.

Summer (May to August)

If spring offers the best Halong Bay weather for independent travelers who are looking for a quiet holiday with an extra dose of culture, summertime will be ideal for those looking for some active adventure. With the beautiful weather and sunny skies, summer is the high season for domestic tourism in Halong Bay.

May: Be considered the best month to travel to Halong Bay for international tourists due to several factors.

First, it’s time that students are still in school. So you can avoid the bulk of the domestic tourism market.

Besides, the weather in Halong Bay in May is fantastic, with clear skies temperature that will be around 27.5 Celsius degrees, cool enough to enjoy every must-do activity in Halong Bay. This is an ideal time for photographing the mesmerizing scenes of Halong Bay in varying light conditions throughout the day.

June to July: Great time for getaways, especially to the beach or the cooler temperatures found in the mountains.

Because the searing summer temperatures (maximum 35 degrees Celsius) may be a little too warm for some, you can cool down with a dip in the water from the sandy beaches in Ha Long Bay. And if you plan a vacation this summer, don’t forget to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen against the heat and intense sun.

August: An excellent way to cap off your summer

The temperatures in August hover around 25 – 30 degrees Celsius with an average humidity of approximately 75%. Just before the monsoon season starts, the weather in August tends to be good, so why not book a last-minute trip to Halong Bay? Beautiful beaches and sunny skies are waiting for you!

Fall (September to October)

Because Vietnamese schools start in the fall, so you’ll find fewer domestic tourists in Halong Bay at this time of the year. With the cooler temperature and fewer tourists, Halong Bay has become an ideal autumn honeymoon destination.

September:

There is a higher possibility of typhoons in September than in other times of the year, with 2-3 tropical storms on average in the month. But in case you’re able to dodge the bad weather, you can still enjoy a great holiday in Halong. Here we offer a few options for you. In that, you can pack a rain poncho and hike to the top of Bai Tho Mountain or cozy up in your cruise cabin and watch a movie while waiting out the rain.

October: Travelers enjoy the romance of autumn

You may find that the added demand for flights, hotels, and other tourist services results in higher prices because Halong Bay weather October is the beginning of the high season for international tourists. With the average temperature that is 25 degrees Celsius and a chill in the air, especially in the evenings, it’s ideal for strenuous outdoor activities such as kayaking or hiking. Moreover, clear skies are excellent for photography in Halong, and many couples can be seen taking wedding photos in and around Halong Bay.

Winter (November to January)

In general, the weather of Ha Long winter is quite refreshing in spite of the occasional lingering shower. You can throw on a sweater or a jacket and enjoy the clean, crisp air in the atmosphere of 20 degrees Celsius.

November:

Halong Bay weather in November will be around 22 degrees Celsius in the daytime and will likely drop down to 18 degrees Celsius at night.

December - January:

When winter has truly arrived in Halong Bay, the temperature during December / January is typically around 15 degrees Celsius, so don’t forget to bring a warm jacket. Besides, you can warm up with a hike or a kayaking trip and you’ll find yourself enjoying the cooler weather. Halong Bay weather December brings along hazy, misty morning skies, burning off as the morning progresses. The early morning mist makes for excellent photos and sets a mysterious mood.

Top activities not to be missed when coming with Halong Bay

Take one of many high-class cruises in the bay

If you truly want to admire all the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay, you need to take to the water and sign up for a boat cruise. Here we offer a wide range of ship services for your travels. You can lay back after a long day of discovering the bay and fall asleep to the soothing sound of the waves and the wind. Moreover, travelers can get also interesting experiences on our Halong Bay Cruise: discovering many famous grottos and caves of Ha Long, learning to make Vietnamese traditional dishes, or beginning your new day with Tai Chi exercise. Normally, there are 2 types of itineraries: the 2-day and 1-night package and the 3-day and 2-night package. With a high recommendation from many customers as well as many travel agencies, our Orchid Cruise is proud to welcome you on board for your dreamlike Cruise in Halong Bay!

Go diving

With tourists who love discovery, scuba diving will be a favorite activity on Halong Bay. There are countless coral reefs and numerous marine life along Cong Do Island and Van Don Island. Imagine that you can see various kinds of fish as well as pristine coral reefs at the bottom of Halong Bay by their eyes and even touch them. Dancing with an octopus or swimming with sea bass is no longer the only sight in animation. We believe that the underwater adventure is the heart, the soul of Ha Long Bay that visitors should not miss.

Go kayaking

Recently, in Halong, kayaking has been the most selected activity by many travelers, especially foreign travelers. Sitting on a tiny kayak, paddling in the blue water, feeling all the grandeur of Halong nature,… what’s more amazing? It’s no coincidence that in 2000, Halong Bay was voted by National Geographic Adventures magazine as 1 of the 25 world's best destinations for kayaking. However, with the high demand for this activity, sometimes it’s quite hard to rent one. But it won’t matter if you travel with our Halong Bay Cruise. We offer many types of kayaks such as kayaks made from composite plastic, molded rubber, or inflatable kayaks with oars which are for 2 people/1 kayak. While the kayak is going through Luon Cave, Ba Trai Dao, Ba Ham, Dau, and Hang Co,… you can get the opportunity to admire the beauty of coral reefs, the tiny fishes swimming and dancing around, and many other interesting sceneries.

Explore

A wide range of activities and destinations for tourists who love discovery: go spelunking in Sung Sot Cave, visit Cat Ba Island, explore Me Cung Cave, travel to Monkey Island, hike around Cat Ba National Park, check out Fighting Cocks Island and much more,…For more details, below we provide with you the top must-visit attractions in Halong Bay. Keep reading to make better decisions for your trip!

Top must-visit attractions in Halong Bay

Caves

Master Cave

To the tourists who have been to Ha Long Bay, the caves and grottoes of Halong and Bai Tu Long Bay are quickly becoming one of Vietnam’s most valuable natural assets in the eyes of the governing board, therein a book-sized and quill–sized stalactites, and a small stone like a table for reading. It’s the reason why this cave was named “Master Cave” or “Thay Hang” (in Vietnamese). Master Cave is about 3 meters wide and about 150m deep. In the middle of the cave, there is a small lake filled with water from the watershed of the mountain flowing down at night and day.

Trinh Nu Cave

Trinh Nu Cave or Virgin Cave is known as the symbol of true love and is the romantic place for taking the oath of love. Besides its association with a fanciful love legend, Trinh Nu Cave also remains the site of important archaeological finds in Halong Bay. Once visiting Trinh Nu Cave, tourists will admire the poetic beauty of Halong Bay’s otherworldly landscape and mysterious caves filled with nature’s masterpieces, stalagmites, and stalactites before dipping into the jade-green waters for a swim. You are advised to take some time to sunbathe on the pristine private beach and soak up the atmosphere which can only be felt in Vietnam.

Dark and Bright Cave

Dark and Bright Cave (also known as Day and Night Cave) is not only known for its stunning limestone structure at every turn but also for its interesting natural habitat. Dark and Bright Cave is regarded as “the Forgotten Paradise”- a poetic and stunning location that acts as an accessway to a beautiful tranquil lake, surrounded by walls of stones in different scales and sizes. The combination of several factors such as the mountain's size and form, the color of the water, and the clouds are the most valuable mark of Dark and Bright Cave.

Islands & Islets

Titov Island

This island is well-known for its scenic landscape with a quiet atmosphere, white sand, and cool water, and a quiet atmosphere. Set your foot on the top of the mountain on Titov Island, tourists can take a panoramic view of the magnificent setting on Halong Bay. With its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax, Titov Beach draws a huge amount of visitors during summer or special occasions. Nowadays, Titov has numerous souvenir shops, high-end resorts, restaurants, bars, hotels, life-buoy renting, skydiving, and kayak facilities built recently. Besides, this island is an ideal place for any beach activity swimming, sunbathing, and barbecues.

Cat Ba Island

The familiar name for most tourists who have been to Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Archipelago, which has an area of around 300 square kilometers and includes 367 small islands, the main islands are Cat Ba Island or Pearl Island (260 km2). Cat Ba is of a kind landscape that is created by the beauty of the forest and the sea blend. Once visiting this beautiful island, travelers not only enjoy refreshing swimming, scuba diving, or bathing in cool blue beaches but also can discover mysterious nature through the primitive forests on the island.

Fighting Cocks Islet

Actually, this iconic islet is the symbol is not only the Halong Bay logo but also Vietnam travel guidebooks with unique values of aesthetics and its significance. Also known as Trong Mai Islet, Fighting Cocks Islet includes two limestone islets in which one looks like a rooster while another has the shape of a hen. The tourists who have been here, won’t forget the image of two burly giant chickens with a height of more than ten meters spectacularly appearing over vast waves. It is a masterpiece of nature in vast waters.

Villages

Vung Vieng Fishing Village

This village is the system of the floating village on the sea with all of the living activities that happen on the boat. Vung Vieng is shielded by the natural limestone mountains with huge natural scenery, rolling rocks, jade green sea like an ink-painting picture. Because of this difference in natural conditions and living habits, this village features a unique and interesting culture. Once visiting Vung Vieng, travelers will easily be attracted by the small boats, the bamboo nets on the doorstep, and dark-skinned babies with cheerful smiles and innocence. The people who have lived in this village for generations go about their daily lives, oblivious to the buzz surrounding the Heritage site of Halong Bay.

Pearl Farm Village

Pearl Farm Village is surrounded by cascading mountains that jut out from the jewel-colored waters of the bay and is where Halong Bay’s traditional marine culture meets modern tourism. Fortunately, Mother Nature blesses this bay not only with magnificent geological creatures, and breathtaking scenery but also precious natural products, the most famous of which is Halong’s pearls. Once visiting the pearl farm, tourists will have a chance to watch the whole process of making a valuable pearl and expensive jewelry from the first step of growing and harvesting pearls from Halong Bay. You can also go and see the local experts engaging in the exhaustive process of cultivating and farming the pearls from start to finish.

Viet Hai Village

Be a small village in the midst of jungles, which belongs to the Cat Hai district of Hai Phong city, covered by the high mountain range of the Cat Ba National Park, Viet Hai village has become an ideal destination that has attracted an increasing number of both domestic and international tourists every year. In the village, tourists will be surprised at how friendly and kind-hearted the villagers are. It is the reason why locals in Viet Hai Village never lock their doors even when they are away from home. Moreover, Viet Hai is well-known as a land of joy and happiness with the sincerity, kindness, and optimism of villagers. Your mission is just to immerse yourself in the peaceful life of the local people here to have a very enjoyable experience.

Beaches

Vung Ha Beach

Belongs to Vung Ha Island, a fairly large island situated in the center of Halong Bay, which lies between Vung Vieng village and Crescent Island, Vung Ha Beach nowadays is considered one of Halong’s most lovely beaches. If you want to enjoy the natural surroundings without the noisy and busy metropolis, don’t miss out on Vung Ha Beach which is quite secluded and uninhabited. Here the visitors can enjoy the surrounding environment without being bothered by the crowd.

Ban Chan Beach

If you are seeking solitude on a pristine beach, hidden away amongst the towering karst landscape of Halong Bay, please don’t skip Ban Chan Beach. This beach is considered a harmonious picture between the clouds and water like an exceptional masterpiece, bewitching any public thoughts. With the beach stretches for several kilometers, the powdery white sand, and jewel-colored waters, Ban Chan Beach is an ideal place for a waterside stroll as you take in the surrounding landscape.

Lan Ha Bay

Belongs to the Cat Ba islands area, Hai Phong City, in the south of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay is considered as the second Ha Long Bay because it also has hundreds of islands like Halong Bay. However, it has about 400 islets covered with green trees and vegetation and a more isolated appeal which you cannot see in another place. Lan Ha is home to 200 species of fish, 500 species of mollusk, 400 species of arthropod, and numerous hard and soft corals, while larger marine animals in the area include seals and three species of dolphin. This bay reserves a more pristine scenery with an intense concentration of limestone mountains, which the sea surface has partitioned into smaller bays and gulfs. Moreover, it’s a good spot for swimming, organizing a private beach BBQ, or an overnight camp thanks to a hundred beautiful, small beaches lying at the feet of the mountains.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Lesser known than its sister (Ha Long Bay) which is a glamorous beauty queen surrounded by reporters and followers, Bai Tu Long is another secret haven with original and charming beauty without much public attention. Bai Tu Long is outstanding with a long range of islands that were created when the whole limestone upland sunk below sea level. Once coming Bai Tu Long, you will have the chance to visit a great many amusing destinations such as the Cong Do area, Vung Vieng fishing village, Cong Dam area, Thien Canh Son cave, and much more. In that, we must mention its national park which is the home of many endangered species of birds and animals, as well as plants.  It is because of its less rowdy and touristy, Bai Tu Long remains pristine, and residents are more local fishermen than tourism service workers.

Finally, we hope that after reading my post, you can have more useful information for your travel. If you are looking for a great tour in Halong Bay, you can check out our Halong Bay Cruise Deals. Our loyal crew is pleased to serve you.

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