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When you arrive in a new place, what do you hope for? After a tiring journey of hundreds of kilometers, what could be better than being rewarded with beautiful scenery, enjoying delicious local cuisine, or meeting hospitable, warm, and generous people? While every traveler will have different experiences, Travellive will share tips on exploring Ha Long Bay in 24 hours from the perspective of a local, making your trip even more fulfilling.
It is no coincidence that many world tourism organizations have voted and praised Ha Long Bay as a tourism sanctuary in Asia.
7 AM - 8 AM: The first meal of the day.
When in Ha Long, you can't miss a delicious seafood breakfast. Located right by the sea, Ha Long is famous for its fresh and tasty seafood dishes. Most breakfast eateries in Ha Long impress diners with their generously topped bowls of vermicelli noodles, featuring ingredients like fish cakes, mantis shrimp, fresh prawns, and more. Furthermore, the flavorful broth, with its characteristic sweetness from the seafood, awakens all the senses.
Shrimp noodle soup is not only a delicious breakfast dish but also a unique experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the flavors of the sea in Ha Long.
However, you should try the "iron shrimp noodle soup" – a name with an unusual sound that few other regions have. Iron shrimp are characterized by their very hard shells (like iron), so when preparing them, people usually have to peel the shells to get the meat. These shrimp are not too big, but their meat is firm, sweet, and very popular in local cuisine. The broth of Ha Long's iron shrimp noodle soup is simmered from bones and shrimp, clear, naturally sweet without needing many added spices. The noodles are served with fresh raw vegetables such as bean sprouts, scallions, herbs, along with a little lime and chili, creating a wonderful balance between the sweetness of the shrimp and the freshness of the vegetables.
Shrimp noodle soup is not only a delicious breakfast dish but also an experience that allows you to fully appreciate the flavors of the sea, something you shouldn't miss when visiting Ha Long.
8 AM - 10 AM: Enjoy a cup of coffee by the bay.
Ha Long attracts tourists not only with the world natural wonder of Ha Long Bay and its luxurious hotel and cruise complexes, but also with its unique cafes. After enjoying breakfast, if you want to go to a place full of natural colors, sunshine, wind, and the salty air of the sea blended with Mediterranean architecture, try the Sun Hill Cafe located on Dang Ba Hat Street, Hong Gai.
Enjoy a cup of coffee by the bay.
Sun Hill Cafe features a pine hill photo spot and a giant Ferris wheel.
This place boasts a prime location, facing the Ha Long International Cruise Port and Bai Chay tourist area, with pine hills and a giant Ferris wheel behind it. If you visit at sunset, you'll be able to admire the incredibly romantic sunset over Ha Long Bay. And when night falls, you'll witness the entire city lighting up beautifully.
10 AM - 12 PM: Visit Ha Long Market
Quang Ninh province has two markets in Ha Long: Ha Long Market 1 and Ha Long Market 2. If you're traveling to Ha Long, you should definitely visit both. Visiting these markets allows you to experience the local life firsthand and enjoy famous local specialties such as mantis shrimp, sea worms, squid cakes, and other fresh seafood.
There are countless street food options at Ha Long Market, and the famous squid cake is a must-try.
The highlight of visiting Ha Long Market is the bustling and vibrant atmosphere, where vendors and small traders call out their wares, creating a lively scene of buyers and sellers. Besides typical local dishes, you can also find handicrafts and souvenirs that reflect the rich local culture.
Enjoy a variety of delicious snacks inside the market.
12 PM - 2 PM: Visit the Quang Ninh Museum
On a hot midday, the Quang Ninh Museum is an ideal stop to explore the culture and history of the mining region. Located on the shores of Ha Long Bay, the Quang Ninh Museum is not only a unique architectural masterpiece but also a repository of the cultural, historical, and natural values of the mining area. With its impressive design resembling a giant block of black coal, the museum captivates visitors at first glance as a place that preserves memories. It offers a modern, visually engaging space that helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of Quang Ninh's rich cultural identity.
With its striking design resembling a giant block of black coal, the museum captivates visitors at first glance.
The Quang Ninh Museum has a first floor showcasing the natural conditions and resources of Quang Ninh, such as minerals, geology, and biodiversity. The second floor features a historical exhibition of Quang Ninh, spanning from prehistoric times to the end of the war against the US. The third floor presents stories of Quang Ninh in the modern era, with exhibits on topics such as the history of the coal industry and the culture of the ethnic groups in Quang Ninh province. All exhibits are presented chronologically by guided tours, making it easy for visitors to understand the information. The Quang Ninh Museum is open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fees are only around 30,000 VND per adult, making it very affordable for visitors to spend a day exploring the museum.
If you're looking for a place that's both rich in history and offers impressive photo opportunities, then the Quang Ninh Museum is definitely a must-visit!
Many unique photo-worthy spots at the Quang Ninh Museum.
2 PM - 5:30 PM: Halong Bay cruise on a luxury yacht.
The afternoon is the ideal time to board a luxurious cruise ship and explore the majestic beauty of Ha Long Bay – one of the world's outstanding natural wonders. Onboard, visitors can admire the picturesque seascape while enjoying high-end services such as crystal-clear glass-bottomed swimming pools, savoring a variety of Asian and European cuisine, or participating in exciting entertainment activities.
Experience luxury cruises, explore fascinating destinations, and enjoy premium service on the bay.
The tour takes visitors to famous locations such as Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island... where there are beautiful beaches and magnificent natural scenery. The trip also includes a luxurious lunch at the onboard restaurant. Especially, if you want to fully enjoy the romantic atmosphere of Ha Long Bay at night, you can participate in a dinner tour on the bay, enjoying delicious food while admiring the sparkling beauty of the bay when the lights come on. The cruise experience not only provides wonderful moments of relaxation but also an opportunity to fully enjoy the natural beauty and culture of this heritage bay.
The cruise ship docked at dusk.
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Enjoy the romantic sunset.
It's no coincidence that many world tourism organizations have voted and praised Ha Long Bay as an Asian tourism sanctuary, one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset in the continent. As the sun gradually disappears behind the majestic limestone mountains, Ha Long Bay takes on a magical and poetic beauty with the golden hues of sunset. This is the ideal moment for tourists to relax on the deck of a cruise ship, enjoy the cool sea breeze, and admire the sky changing color from golden yellow to vibrant orange-red, reflecting sparklingly on the calm water.
The hues of sunset by the bay.
Under the sunset, Ha Long Bay becomes more romantic and captivating than ever. Visitors can choose to enjoy a cocktail at the bar on the cruise ship, take stunning photos, or simply let their minds wander to gentle melodies and immerse themselves in the majestic nature. This will surely be a memorable experience, leaving a lasting impression of the dreamy beauty of Ha Long Bay.
Watching the sunset from land in Ha Long Bay is a captivating experience, not just from a cruise. Some of the best sunset viewing spots in Ha Long Bay include Reu Island, Bai Chay beach, Ben Doan wharf, Bai Chay bridge, and Ha Long International Cruise Port. This moment offers a sense of tranquility and a wonderful opportunity to capture stunning commemorative photos of Ha Long Bay's romantic twilight.
Under the sunset, Ha Long becomes more romantic and captivating than ever.
