Ha Long

Ha Long is the port city for Ha Long Bay — nearly 2,000 limestone islands rising out of green water, Vietnam's most famous sight and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Almost everyone comes for the boats: a day cruise from about ₫1,000,000 ($38) with lunch, or an overnight cruise from around ₫2,500,000 ($95) that anchors among the karsts.

The bay's highlights are covered by most cruise routes:

• Overnight cruise among the karsts — sunset deck, kayaking and squid fishing included on most boats
• Paddle a kayak into Luon Cave's hidden lagoon
• Walk the vast chambers of Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
• Climb Ti Top Island's viewpoint for the classic bay panorama
• On land: ride the Queen Cable Car and Sun World rides if you have kids

October to December and March to April give the clearest cruising weather. Summer sailings run too, but typhoon systems occasionally cancel boats in August and September — keep a spare day if you cruise then.

Ha Long is 2.5 hours from Hanoi by expressway, and nearly every cruise package includes a hotel-to-boat shuttle — so you rarely need to plan the transport yourself. There is no airport in Ha Long; fly into Hanoi (or nearby Hai Phong) and drive.

Most travellers treat Ha Long as a one-night extension of a Hanoi trip rather than a base: two days in Hanoi, then a night on the bay, is the classic north Vietnam plan. Staying longer suits families — the Sun World park, cable car and beach at Bai Chay fill an extra land day.

If you are choosing between day trip and overnight, book the overnight when your dates allow. The bay at sunrise, before the day boats arrive from Hanoi, is the version people remember. See our full Vietnam guide for how the bay fits a 7-10 day route.