Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → Vietnam → Ha Long Bay

Location: Northern Vietnam

Time Required: 1 – 3 days

Red Tape/Notes: Usually reached from Hanoi, which is a 4 hour drive away, although you can also fly in to Hai Phong, cutting the drive to around 2 hours.

What’s Nearby?: Not much, unless you include Hanoi and/or Hai Phong

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the crown jewels of Vietnam. The bay is known for emerald waters, which are dotted with thousands of sheer-sided limestone islands. Many of these islands have caves, several of which can be visited. Cat Ba National Park, which covers most of Cat Ba Island, lies just to the southwest and provides opportunities for hiking. Several communities live in floating villages around the bay, although relocation is being encouraged due to concerns over pollution and a desire to improve the welfare and educational prospects of the villagers. We took a three day/two night tour, knowing that the longer tour would allow us to venture further afield and provide better opportunities for seclusion. Because wow, this place is heavily visited. Tours around the bay stop at a number of places, providing opportunities for hiking, visiting caves, and sea kayaking. And of course, all around you are beautiful views of the bay.

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → Vietnam → Ha Long Bay