The legend tells of Mother Dragon who descended to protect Vietnam from invaders. The dragon spat out pearls which turned into limestone islands able to block enemy ships and the bay became a heavenly abode.

Today visitors are able to flock to Halong Bay in peace and it seems everyone visiting northern Vietnam wishes to venture out to experience this stunning area. The scenery was so beautifully captured in the film Indochine set in the French colonial era during the 1930’s-50s, starring Catherine Deneuve.

Halong Bay is an approx 3.5 hour drive Hanoi on a very busy road. Much of the drive passes through newly industrialized areas but then all of a sudden, the harbour appears filled with hundreds of boats and junks and you feel ready to head out to sea.

The nearby airport at Haiphong has been receiving more flights so it is also worthwhile to check into driving one way and flying in/out of Haiphong to either Danang or Ho Chi Minh City, if venturing south.

A day trip from Hanoi can be a very long and exhausting a day- although many people do this.  I would suggest to do at least one overnight on a live-aboard. If time permits. two nights will allow time to sail into more remoter area such as Bai Tu Long Bay, away from the busier boat traffic and crowds, where you can enjoy some time for kayaking or swimming.  The mainstream tours include a stop at Sung Sot Cave ( Surprise Cave) –with amazing stalagtites and stalagmites, but don’t be surprised to see hundreds of boats at this site, so if you are doing your own chartered cruise, you may wish to skip this stop.
Regulations require that all boats return to one bay for overnight anchorage though, so in the evening, enjoy lots of junk spotting, in all shapes and sizes.

Indochina Junk

Find the Junk you Like:
Various junks available for small groups or private charter:
https://www.indochina-junk.com/ships/

For a wonderful local guide based in Hanoi with his own travel company,
Contact Mr. Lam Le who can arrange Halong Bay and trips beyond and can update on all the latest!
Email:   lamletroung77@gmail.com

Climate and Weather Conditions
For a trip covering North, Central, and South Vietnam, aim for March-April or September-November
for good overall weather, balancing cooler north with warmer south; otherwise, focus on the dry seasons: Nov-April for South/Central (beaches) and Oct-Nov or March-April for North (cooler, great for trekking)
December-February can be very grey in Hanoi and very cold up in the highlands of Sapa.
But this can still be a beautiful time out in Halong Bay.

Wet season monsoon is from May-October when you can also enjoy lush green landscapes.
Typhoon Season: June-November mostly in Central Vietnam but can also hit the north.
The south is usually spared powerful typhoons, but with weather patterns becoming more extreme and unpredictable, rains may be heavier at times.

Back to Main Vietnam Page.
Back to Hanoi: https://alamasia.net/hanoi/

Enjoy your Journeys!- Travel Gently and Live Consciously