Beautiful Ha Long Bay (Bay of Descending Dragons) is located in northern Vietnam, approximately 100 miles east of the city of Hanoi.
Nothing quite prepares you for the dramatic scenery encountered in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is often included as one of the natural wonders of the world.
The enormous Ha Long Bay is liberally dotted (there are nearly 2,000) with unique limestone karsts, which rise majestically from the sea, many of them covered in dense forestation and hiding extensive sea caves.
The best way to see as much of this magical bay as possible is to take a bay cruise (day trip or overnight) on a traditional “junk” boat. It is also possible to island-hop between the inhabited islands and to visit some of the remarkable caves.
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Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read the reviews, then call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.