People Also Ask About Halong Bay Tours
Where is the Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is located in Quang Ninh Province, 150 kilometers from the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, 164 kilometers (102 miles) southeast of Hai Phong, covering an area of 1,500 square kilometers (580 square miles) and containing about 3,000 rocky islands and earthen islands, typically in the form of jagged limestone pillars sticking out of the sea, as well as a number of caves and caverns, which together form a picturesque landscape with an exotic flavor.
Is Halong Bay on the World Heritage List?
Yes, Halong Bay was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 1994 for inscription on the World Heritage List as a natural heritage site.
Halong Bay consists of a large number of limestone islands and islets rising from the sea of various sizes and shapes, presenting a picturesque and unspoiled natural landscape. Outstanding features of this heritage include the majestic towering limestone pillars and associated notches, arches and caves, which are highly developed and among the best of their kind in the world.
What are the myths and legends of Halong Bay?
There are similar legends about the origin of the bay, reflected in the name. The first legend claims that the dragon stomped violently on the ground and caused the mountains to collapse, creating a valley that was soon filled with water with only the peaks of the mountains - the rocky islands of Halong Bay - floating on the water. Another folklore mentions that the dragon's long tail tore the earth apart, creating valleys and crevices that flooded when the dragon leapt into the adjacent waters.
When is the right time to go to Halong Bay?
The climate of Halong Bay is humid tropical, with two distinct periods: hot and humid in summer with lots of rain; dry and cold in winter, with distinct dry and rainy seasons.
The dry season is from November to April, and the rainy season is from May to October. The rainy season is characterized by heavy and torrential rain, high temperatures and high humidity. The average annual temperature is about 15℃-25℃.
The best time to visit Halong Bay is November-February when the climate is pleasant, the sky is clear, and hundreds of flowers are in full bloom, which is the most beautiful season in Vietnam and the most suitable time to visit Vietnam.
How much is the entrance fee to Halong Bay?
The entrance fee for a single day is VND150,000 (US$7) and the entrance fee for overnight stay in the scenic area is VND200,000 (US$10) for 1 night, VND350,000 (US$17) for 2 nights and VND400,000 (US$20) for 3 nights respectively.
How to arrange my tour in Halong Bay?
The most convenient way to get around is to join a day or multi-day Halong Bay tour from Hanoi, where you can stay on board for the night of the multi-day tour.
Halong Bay has many attractions and all of them are on the sea and can only be visited by boat. Usually, you can board the boat from Halong Bay pier and visit as a day trip, two-day trip or three-day trip. All these can be conviniently booked and arranged in UME.
What is the most famous attraction in Halong Bay?
Fighting Cocks or Trong Mai Rock
The Fighting Cocks rocks are two small rocky hills, about 12 meters high, exposed to the sea. They are like a pair of big roosters leaping to fight, separated by a narrow trench, standing face to face in anger. The rocks are considered to be the most unique image of Halong Bay, thus becoming a symbol of Vietnam's tourism industry.
The Incense Burner Stone
The Incense Burner Stone is about 800 meters from the Cockfighting Stone. The stone has a small foot and a slim bottom, which looks like an incense burner from a distance, hence the name. Most Vietnamese, especially the local fishermen, believe in Buddhism, and burning incense in the incense burner indicates the hope to be connected with heaven and earth and ancestors. Therefore, the image of incense burner is very sacred in the minds of local people.
It is a well-known attraction in Halong Bay and a must-see for tourists visiting Halong Bay, especially for those who believe in Buddhism. The image of the incense burner stone is also printed on Vietnamese banknotes of 200,000 dong denomination.