Ha Long Destination Guide
Halong City is the capital of the Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh. It is the epicentre of all activities in the Halong Bay and offers numerous attractions to tourists in terms of comfortable hotels, exciting holiday packages and unique experiences.
Take a boat cruise on Halong Bay and experience one of the world's most amazing natural wonders!
Our Halong Bay Destination Guide below, along with our Halong Bay Tour Suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Halong Bay. For tips on how to get around in Halong Bay, read our Halong Bay Transportation guide.
Things to See & Do in Halong
Halong Beaches
The beauty of Halong Bay lies in its serene sea, unusual caves and a landscape laden with limestone. The beaches, however, leave much to be desired, with rocky coasts and little sand. Still if you cannot think of having a bayside holiday without visiting a beach, try the Beach No.1 or Beach No. 2. You can take a boat into the sea and take a dip if the warm sun gets to you.
There is, however, some good news on this front. Plans for a Beach No. 3 are on the anvil, with sand being brought from foreign shores by a Taiwanese Company to create a beach, a move that is sure to boost tourism.
The esplanade next to the sea is very pleasant to linger on and you can enjoy a picture perfect sunset here. The mesmerizing waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, the sheer magnitude of this 1500 sq km area and its abundant beauty will be a source of pleasure for years to come.
Halong Bay
Halong City is divided into two parts by the Halong Bay, of which the western part is Bai Chay. Here you can get the best of restaurants, hotels and breathtaking views. Maybe that is the reason why most boats coming into Halong anchor at Bai Chay. Most buses that ply the roads of Vietnam halt here too.
The Halong Bay has a mesmerizing landscape replete with grottoes, karsts and limestone deposits in unusual forms and shapes. This entire region stretches for miles together with tiny islands dotting the seascape like thousands of polka dots! It is not surprising that the Halong Bay is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Useful Information in Ha Long
Hospitals and Ambulances
Bai Chay Hospital
Gieng Day district, Bai Chay
Emergency telephone number: 846-566
National Traditional Medicine Hospital
Cao Xanh district, Hon Gai
Tel: 825-037
Quang Ninh Provincial Hospital
Bach Dang district, Hon Gai
Tel: 825-499
Emergency telephone number: 825-505
(Quang Ninh Provincial Hospital is the largest hospital in Quang Ninh, and has a complete range of departments)
For medical assistance telephone: 115
Pharmacies
41 Vuon Dao Bai Chay
Kios Vuon Dao, Bai Chay
No 1, Ha Long, Hon Gai
543 Le Thanh Tong, Hon Gai
20B Le Thanh Tong, Hon Gai
5 Le Thanh Tong, Hon Gai
Postal Services
Bai Chay Post Office
Ha Long Road, Bai Chay
Tel: 840-000
Hon Gai Central Post Office
Tel: 825-926
Banks and Exchanges
The larger hotels in Bai Chay and both post offices change cash, but the only place to handle travelers' cheques is Hong Gai's Vietcombank, at the east end of Le Thanh Tong.
