Фотогалерея ‒ Halong, Vietnam

Guide to Halong

Halong Virtual Tour

Halong is a relatively young but rapidly growing resort destination. While the city itself may not have many tourist attractions, the Halong Bay, after which it's named, is renowned both nationally and internationally. Visitors can embark on one or multi-day cruises to explore the bay's islands, which are home to enchanting caves, picturesque cliffs, and hills with breathtaking vistas. Some of the most well-known caves have evocative names like Paradise, Surprise, and Surprise Cave. The beaches in Halong are pebbly and not known for their cleanliness, and the water near the shores tends to be quite murky. As a result, tourists seeking more comfortable conditions for relaxation often head to Tuan Chau Island, situated 8 kilometers away from the city. For enthusiasts of water sports such as diving and snorkeling, it's essential to note that Halong may not offer suitable conditions for these activities, so it might be best to leave your equipment at home. Leaving Halong without savoring the local fish and seafood delicacies would be a missed opportunity. Almost every island in the bay boasts restaurants where you can enjoy traditional dishes like sweet and sour candied fish. You can even witness the sourcing of ingredients for your meal in one of the nearby fishing villages.

Tips for tourists

In expensive hotels and restaurants, a 5% service charge is usually added to the bill. In small cafes you can leave a tip if you like the service.
When going to the market to buy food or souvenirs, do not hesitate to bargain. Treat the seller with respect and you will definitely get a discount.
To avoid trouble, drink only bottled water that you have opened yourself. Do not buy iced drinks from unauthorized places.
Population
158 171
Time zone
UTC+7
Language
Vietnamese
Currency
Vietnamese dong (VND)

Tours to Halong

Even if you're a frequent traveler to Vietnam, don't miss the opportunity to visit Halong. A vacation in this bay, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique natural beauty, will offer you a fresh perspective on this exotic country.

The jagged formations along the shores of the South China Sea are home to numerous caves, grottoes, and enchanting bays, which serve as the focal points for guided tours. One notable attraction is Paradise Cave, which scientists estimate to be at least 400 million years old based on their study of its stalactites and stalagmites. Exploring the local sites on guided tours is a truly breathtaking experience.

You can opt for affordable day-long boat tours of the islands and caves in Halong, or indulge in multi-day trips, which come at a slightly higher cost. Regardless of the duration, the money and time spent on these tours will undoubtedly be well worth it.

In recent times, Halong has gained immense popularity, leading to quick sell-outs of tours, despite their prices. Given that this tropical destination is quite distant, the flights to Halong can be lengthy, and finding budget-friendly tours to Halong is a challenging task.

Hot deals typically start at around 2050 USD, often featuring two-star hotels without meal inclusions. However, at this price point, you can find better hotel options. It's essential to continually monitor tour operators' offers for the dates that suit you.

Besides hot deals, booking your flight and accommodation well in advance can also lead to substantial cost savings if you've been longing to visit Halong.

Interesting places in Halong

The main attractions Halong Bay are the islands, cliffs and caves. Any of the local tour companies will offer you a excursion (or, more accurately, a cruise) for 1-2 days, route to these islands. or rather, a cruise) for 1-2 days, the routes of these tours are routed through some of the most beautiful places. By planning shopping in Halong, include the Bai Chai market, where you can not only buy souvenirs, but also souvenirs. where you can not only buy souvenirs, but also bargain heartily. Nightlife life of the resort boils in numerous clubs and bars, where tourists and locals alike party until morning. where tourists and locals alike party until the wee hours of the morning.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

From European cities to Da Nang, you can find flights with various connections. Airlines like Flydubai, British Airways, Air Baltic, and others offer such flights, with round-trip tickets priced from 900 USD. The journey can take anywhere from 19 to 36 hours.

If you're traveling from another European city to Da Nang, you can take Aeroflot with one connection, and round-trip tickets typically cost about 700 USD. The duration of the journey varies, ranging from 12.5 hours to a day, depending on the length of the connection. Emirates, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines also provide flights from another European city to Da Nang with two connections.

The best hotels in Halong

There are many hotels in the city, but experienced tourists say that only 15 of them offer a decent level of service. All of these hotels are within walking distance of the beach, some of them located on Tuan Chau Island. Among the best in the city are Asean Halong Hotel and Sai Gon Ha Long Hotel. The minimum cost of a double room is 15 USD, while the maximum is about 40 USD per night. Exotic travelers can spend the night on a traditional boat called a junk moored off the shore in a scenic spot.

Find out more about the cost of accommodation in Halong

The cost of vacation

When planning a vacation to Halong, it's a good idea to create a budget for your trip and have some cash on hand. While bank cards are accepted in large hotels and expensive restaurants, having local currency will be more convenient for other expenses.

If you're planning a beach vacation, you can budget around 40 USD per day per person. This budget should cover accommodation, food in inexpensive cafes, and rental fees for sunbeds, umbrellas, and other equipment.

If you plan to go on excursions in the area, it's advisable to allocate about 40-50 USD per day for those activities. Having a well-planned budget will help you enjoy your trip to Halong without worrying about your expenses.

The budget for a trip to Halong
Visa 50 USD Flight от 2000 USD
Accomodation from 15 USD per day Average check in a restaurant from 150,000 VND (about 7 USD)
Transportation fare 5000 VND (about 0.22 USD) Excursion from 1,680,000 VND (about 80 USD)
Total: About 2815 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day.

Halong: tips for tourists

Experienced travelers do not recommend going without preparation to such exotic countries as Vietnam. We have collected for you all the information about Halong Resort that may be useful!

Visa to Halong

For longer stays in the country you will need a permit, but you do not have to go to the embassy, it can be issued at the airport.

Halong Airport

Noi Bai International Airport is 45 km from the center of Hanoi and 170 km from Halong. It ranks third in Vietnam in terms of passenger traffic, serving approximately 8 million people annually. It operates two lanes and two terminals.

Transfer to Halong from the airport

Taking a cab from Hanoi airport to Halong will cost you around 50 USD and will take 3.5-4 hours. To save money, you can take a cab to the city (about 5 USD) and from there take a shuttle bus to the resort. You can buy a ticket for 1.5-3.5 USD.

Car rental in Halong

To rent a car in Halong or any other city in Vietnam, you need a national driver's license, but many companies turn a blind eye to a tourist's lack of one. To avoid breaking local laws, you can rent a car with a driver.

Transportation in Halong

Halong's public transportation is buses, water cabs and the so-called Xich Lo, which are tricycles with a seat for a passenger in front. A ticket for a single bus ride costs no more than 5,000 VND (0.22 USD).

Safety in Halong

The city is quiet, but thieves may be operating in crowded areas (markets, beaches, transportation, attractions). Be careful not to leave your bags and expensive equipment unattended, and keep your wallet out of sight.

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