Ha Long

Ha Long City splits neatly into two distinct sides across the Cua Luc Strait. Bai Chay on the west handles resort hotels, theme parks, and tour boat departures. Hon Gai on the east operates as the working regional center with civic offices and seafood markets. Most visitors step directly from express buses onto cruise ships without setting foot in the onshore town.

Ha Long food centers on fresh seafood prepared simply. The city signature dish is Chả Mực, a squid patty hand-pounded in a mortar until viscous, then deep-fried until golden. Pounding gives the squid a firm, springy texture distinct from machine-blended versions.

• Chả Mực Thoan

  Located inside Hon Gai Market (Chợ Hạ Long 1). They fry fresh batches daily. Buy by weight or order a portion with sticky rice.

• Morning market stalls

  Eat Bún Bề Bề (mantis shrimp noodle soup) before 09:00 at street stalls along Le Thanh Tong in Hon Gai.

• Seafood by weight

  Pick live mantis shrimp, clams, and sea snails from tanks at seafood restaurants along Old Town street in Bai Chay.

Geologists trace the limestone karsts back 250 million years through cycles of marine submersion and continental erosion. Human occupation dates back thousands of years through distinct prehistoric cultures who utilized the coastal caves.

1. 1288

   Battle of Bach Dang

   General Tran Hung Dao defeated invading Mongol fleets by planting wooden stakes in nearby Bach Dang river.

2. 1888

   French coal concession

   French colonial authorities established open-pit coal mining operations across Hon Gai.

3. 2018

   Expressway opening

   The Hai Phong-Ha Long expressway opened, cutting driving times from Hanoi to under two hours.

Choose your location based on your departure schedule. Overnight cruise passengers spending only one night onshore benefit from staying near Tuan Chau Marina or in Bai Chay.

• Cruisers departing earlyTuan Chau Island — Minutes from boat check-in counters.
• First-time touristsBai Chay — Central to agencies, restaurants, and artificial beaches.

Ha Long is spread out over 20 kilometers along the coastline. Walking between major districts is impractical.

• Grab operates reliably in Bai Chay and Hon Gai. Set your drop-off point precisely to avoid harbour confusion.

• Motorbikes and taxis cross the Bai Chay Bridge between the western and eastern halves of the city.

• Public car ferries run from Tuan Chau Pier to Gia Luan dock on Cat Ba Island multiple times daily.

Prices in Bai Chay target foreign and domestic tourists. Hon Gai offers standard local regional pricing.

• 1-Day Bay Cruise: ₫600,000–1,200,000

  Includes bay entry fees, lunch, and route 1 or route 2 cave visits.

• Overnight Cruise (per person): ₫3,200,000–7,000,000

  Includes onboard meals, kayaking, and cabin stay.

• Chả Mực portion: ₫50,000–100,000

  Served with hot sticky rice or rice crepes at local market stalls.

• Limousine van from Hanoi: ₫260,000

  One-way seat per passenger via the expressway.

• Weather cancellations

  Port authorities prohibit all boats from sailing during sudden storms or heavy fog.

• Single-use plastics ban

  Ha Long Bay management bans single-use plastic bottles and bags onboard cruise vessels.

• Footwear matters

  Cave visits require climbing slippery limestone stairs. Wear shoes with good rubber traction.

• Route system

  Day boats follow strict numbered routes assigned by the port authority. You cannot change routes mid-trip.

• Luggage storage

  Most Hanoi hotels hold heavy luggage for free if you return after a two-day bay cruise.