Your trip to Vietnam might not be completed if you are yet to visit Halong Bay – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Let’s check out why it’s worth visiting this bay with these 29 best things to do in Halong Bay and city, Vietnam!
14 Attractions to See in Halong Bay
1. Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)
Sung Sot Cave should be on top must-visit destination when you are in Halong Bay. It is the largest and also the most renowned, the most visited cave of all. The cave is around 1000 square meters consisting of thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. As the typical karst caves, Sung Sot has high scientific value as well. Located in Bo Hon Island, the center of Halong Bay, the cave is covered with a layer of countless “light beams” hung with glittering stalactites, “velvet carpet”, and stone statues. For such values, Sung Sot Cave is one of the favorite places to visit in Halong Bay.
2. Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island is the largest island in Halong Bay. It is home to plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Located off the coast of Hai Phong City, it has clean beaches (named Cat Co 1 and Cat Co 2) which are ideal for sunbathing and swimming during the summer. And if you are not a fan of crowds, you can go to Monkey Island where the beaches are cleaner and quieter, and you can rent a kayak or charter a speedboat there.
3. Dau Be Island and National Park
Dau Be Island is famous for Ba Ham Lake which is a system consisting of 3 big ocean basins. Inside the cave, there are many stalactites on the ceiling which create odd shapes and dimensions. The island is home to many species of orchids, banyans, and palm trees. There are also many gold monkeys, bats, flying squirrels, birds, and flowers blooming throughout the year.
4. Me Cung Cave
Me Cung Cave (or Maze Cave), as fanciful and appealing as its name, is one of many famous attractions in Halong Bay. The entrance looks like a house roof which carves deep into the slopes of the island. Inside, you may get the feelings as if you are entering in a great palace of a Persian King.
With the light shining from the outer, the sparkling stalactites make the cave shimmering like in paradise. Besides, the blue waters of Me Cung lake inside the cave also creates picturesque beauty of nature.
5. Monkey Island
Monkey Island is a famous popular tourist attraction that most of the tours encourage visitors to visit this island. It is an ideal destination for swimming in the blue water. And, the existence of many monkeys is of course the highlight of Monkey Island. Here, the visitors will have chances to take photos or frisk with monkeys on boughs comfortably. Apart from the monkeys, the bungalows on the island will provide tourists with unforgettable moments.
6. Virgin Cave (Hang Trinh Nu)
Virgin Cave or Hang Trinh Nu has probably the most moving legend about love behind its name. Inside the cave, you can find a shrine which is dedicated to the woman who is a symbol of pure and eternal love. Legend apart, the cave is a beautiful and ideal stopover for any Halong luxury cruises. Entering the entrance located at the foot of a cliff, you will go through the tunnels of the cave which reaches the middle of the island about 2 km long.
7. Lan Ha Bay
Located to the south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha spreads over an area of more than 7000 ha. The bay reserves the pristine scenery which has an intense concentration of limestone mountains. There are hundreds of beautiful, small beaches lying at the feet of mountains so there is no problem to find a good spot for an overnight camp or organizing a private beach BBQ. After a long day of exploration, Lan Ha Bay is a truly a good place to relax.
