Hiking Heaven: Must-Do Treks in Ha Long Bay

Hiking Heaven: Must-Do Treks in Ha Long Bay

Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Ha Long Bay is a popular destination for many travelers, making it a hot spot. This wonderful place has more than 1,600 islands that form a magnificent seascape.

While most of these islands are nothing more than cliffs rising out of the sea with nowhere to land, many offer excellent trekking spots or caves accessible by boat. Only 40 of Ha Long Bay's islands are inhabited, and few are developed enough to offer hotel entertainment to visitors, including the larger Cat Ba Island, where most cruise ships dock.

To that end, here are some ideas to consider when you visit and explore this treasure of nature.

Vung Vieng Floating Village

Vung Vieng is a fishing village in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, founded by local fishermen in the 19th century. Currently there are more than 300 people living there, some of whom actually live inland, but still spend most of their time in the village for work.

Although Vung Vieng is the largest of four similar floating villages in the Ha Long Bay area, it remains the most authentic. The main income of the villages still comes from sustainable fishing, not tourism. Fortunately for tourists, the village has turned one of its larger floating buildings into an open center where visitors can participate in workshops or buy crafts and food.

While there, take a look at some of the houses to get a glimpse of what residentials look like. Or perhaps stay overnight in one of the homes and interact with locals for the ultimate experience.

Cai Bau Pagoda

On a high hill overlooking Bai Tu Long Bay, the large pagoda sits on a 20-hectare site where shrines, gates and towers offer spiritual respite and plenty of photo opportunities. Although there were temples in this place more than 700 years ago, the current pagoda was completely renovated and expanded in 2007.

The pagoda's manicured gardens have small ponds, bells, statues, including 2 large mythological creatures guarding the gate entrance, and many sheltered places to sit and enjoy the cool breeze and great views across the water.

The Island’s Caves

It's no surprise that Ha Long Bay has many caves – Driftwood Island is a particularly good place to explore some of them.

This small island in the southwestern part of Ha Long Bay has two caves, the huge Thien Cung Cave and the tall but shallower Dau Go Cave. Both caves are at least 2 million years old and have impressive chambers. For instance, the entrance to Dau Go Cave is only 12 meters high, but the highest dome inside is 25 meters high and covered with stone pillars.

Artificial lights are placed around the caves to illuminate certain areas, especially the rock formations that seem to mimic animal forms in a deep well with clear blue water.

Thien Cong Cave has 3 pools and is illuminated with colorful lights that create a dance of eerie images on the walls as visitors walk. Skylights also let in natural light, and different rooms are connected by narrow corridors for adventure and deeper exploration.

Quang Ninh Museum

This 24,000 square meter area in Ha Long city contains a very diverse collection of museums, libraries and exhibition halls, covering everything from models of sailing ships, to items related to Buddhist culture and attempted resistance against French colonial rule.

Although the exhibits are clearly labeled, this is not intended to be a typical museum with collections organized into specific groups, but rather a broad picture of the land and people of Ha Long Bay, including the ethnic minorities.

In addition to a large library, the library also has a performance room, theater cafe and bookstore with reading rooms, special rooms for children and areas with changing exhibitions. It's a great place to learn more about the city, but also a good place for a quiet break from the heat if you're in the area.

Ti Top Beach

This crescent beach may not be the biggest in Ha Long Bay, but it is certainly one of the most spectacular. The above island is a small island with white sand and calm water, which can only be reached by boat from Ha Long Bay. It is a popular rock climbing destination.

The island is also a frequent stop for day cruises. However, the boats only stop here for a few hours. If you want a longer visit, rent your own boat and spend the extra time just sitting on the sand, admiring the majestic view of the bay around you.

Sun World Ha Long Park

Sun World is Vietnam's largest amusement park. A 214-hectare entertainment complex divided into two parts, a mystical mountain complex and a coastal amusement park that includes a typhoon water park.

The two parts of the park are connected by the Queen's Cable Car, which stretches high above the bay and island and offers 2 kilometers of beautiful photo opportunities. The coastal area of ​​the park has many thrill rides such as roller coasters, water rides, giant slides and plenty of opportunities to cool off around your own sandy beach that gently slopes down into the surrounding turquoise waters.

The water park has one of the tallest ferris wheels in the world, The Sun Wheel Ha Long, with 64 cabins offering spectacular views of the bay. For adventurous souls, the complex has places worth visiting such as the Wax Museum and the Zen Garden with bonsai trees, waterfalls and a miniature Mount Fuji.

Snorkeling and Diving in Con Do Island

Con Do Island is a favorite place for snorkeling because it has its own system of 5 lakes, hidden among limestone peaks, yet connected to the sea, providing a unique and diverse ecosystem.

In addition to rare corals such as red and forest corals, the island also has grasslands that are home to sea turtles and horses. Stone crabs, lizards and hornbills live in coastal wetlands and can easily be spotted returning to land. Once out of the water, the islands also offer plenty of hiking opportunities, where you'll encounter hidden lagoons and ancient trees along the way.

Is Ha Long Bay Worth the Trip?

The short answer is yes! The area is an activity treasure trove for anyone who has an adventurous heart. However, the days can be jam packed but it all depends on the guide and personal interests. The line up of treks are bound to bring out the best of the Ha Long Bay.