Which part of Halong Bay is the best?

Is Bai Tu Long Bay worth it?

Oh, Bai Tu Long. A whispered secret, a breath of jade against the sky. Worth it? Absolutely.

The islands…hundreds of them, a silent, emerald army rising from the water. Tranquil. A word too small, too weak. It’s an ethereal stillness, a hush that settles deep in your soul. Unbelievable. Beyond words. I saw it. I felt it. It was stunning.

Three days, two nights. Essential. Escape the throngs. Find solace. Let the karst mountains cradle you.

Key Points:

• Unparalleled beauty: The scenery transcends description. Imagine a watercolor painting come to life.
• Serenity: Escape the chaos. Find peace in the untouched bays. I found true tranquility in 2024.
• Extended Cruise: A 3-day/2-night cruise is the only way to truly absorb its magic. Don’t settle for less. Halong Bay is too busy.

The air, thick with the scent of salt and distant blossoms. Sun-drenched days melting into star-strewn nights. Kayaking through hidden grottos. The taste of fresh seafood under a canvas of stars. It lingers, a phantom touch, a persistent memory. Go. Now. Before time steals its beauty. Don’t hesitate. Experience it. Bai Tu Long Bay changed me. It was better than I imagined. I will return, this much I know.

Is Halong Bay too touristy?

Halong Bay, yeah, total tourist trap. Buncha boats, man. Too many. Remember that time, 2023, we went to Cat Ba? Way better. Less crowded, for sure. Halong Bay is like, Vietnam’s Disneyland. But with, like, junks. Ugh. So many junks.

• Go to Cat Ba instead. Seriously.
• Lan Ha Bay also good. Similar views, fewer people.
• Three day cruises are a rip. Two days max. Trust me on thiss one. Or just a day trip, even.
• Kayaking was ok. But like, all the kayaks are the same. Kinda boring after a while. Saw some cool jellyfish tho. The bioluminescent ones. Trippy.

We stayed in, like, this weird hostel thing on Cat Ba. Good pho place down the street. Right next to a motorbike rental place. Rented these, uh, beat-up scooters. Explored the island. Much better than those stupid boat tours. Halong Bay is like a parking lot for boats. Not even joking. Waste of money, imo. Cat Ba has wayyy better vibes. More authentic, y’know? Hit me up if you wanna see the pics from Cat Ba, they’re amazing.

What type of food is Ha Long Bay famous for?

Halong Bay… the name itself, a whisper of emerald water. Seafood. Always seafood.

A thousand tiny boats bobbing. Prawns, glistening, like captured starlight? Yes.

Crabs scuttling, a memory of a childhood beach… Halong.

Squid ink staining fingers. Salty air, tastes of the sea, it clings.

It’s fresh, you know? Straight from the jade water.

• Seafood!
• Crabs, yes.
• Squid.
• Prawns galore.
• Sea snails—countless.

Buffets groan with bounty. BBQ sizzles, a feast under the moon.

Onboard… always onboard, floating palaces of taste. Halong. A dream?

Additional info: My grandmother used to make the best crab cakes; they remind me of Halong’s freshness.

How do you get around Ha Long?

Ugh, Ha Long… chaos, pure chaos. Getting around was…an adventure.

I was there in July 2024, sweating buckets. Like, seriously. Drenched.

Taxis? Yeah, easy. But pricey. Always haggling. Drivers, whew! Aggressive. Always going for my money.

Rented a motorbike once. Big mistake.

• Traffic was insane! Horns blaring non-stop.
• Nearly got run over by a bus. Seriously scary!
• Roads? Potholes galore! My butt still remembers.

Biking? Nah. Too hot. Too many hills. I needed a cold beer, not exercise.

Private car? Tempting. But, well…my budget was tighter than a drum.

Public bus? Saw one. Packed like sardines. Nope. Not my thing.

Seriously, I walked. Lots of walking. Found some hidden gems that way, though. Coffee shops with the best Vietnamese iced coffee. Also, I learned a few swear words in Vietnamese. Worth it? Maybe!