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Climb Bai Tho Mountain and admire the entire Ha Long Bay in a single moment.
This poetically named mountain rises 200 meters above sea level. From here, you can admire the beautiful city of Ha Long Bay and the rocky islands scattered across the bay. While not the highest mountain in the city, it offers an ideal vantage point to capture the picturesque beauty of Ha Long Bay.
The mountain is named Bai Tho (Poem Mountain) because it has nine poems in Chinese characters carved into the rocks by King Le Thanh Tong in 1468 and Trinh Cuong in 1729. Because of its cultural, historical, and impressive tourist value, Bai Tho Mountain has become a distinctive symbol of Quang Ninh province.
The path up the mountain is quite easy to follow, with about a third of it having steps. Reaching the summit takes approximately 30-40 minutes. You should choose early morning (4:30 AM) or late afternoon (4:00 PM) to witness the sunrise and sunset, with the golden sunlight shimmering on the water – a truly magical sight.
Cruising on a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay
A two-day, one-night cruise on a yacht is likely to be a very sweet and happy experience for many couples. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, sitting on a yacht, slowly cruising through the bay with the surrounding scenery of limestone mountains rising from the sea, enveloped in the blue of the water and sky – everything exudes a gentle, poetic, slow, and strangely peaceful atmosphere. It's truly a state of balance.
Not only that, every activity on this tour will leave you excited and impressed. You'll participate in a cooking class teaching traditional Vietnamese cuisine (a truly fascinating experience for foreign tourists); ride in a bamboo boat to visit an ancient fishing village and observe pearl farming firsthand; and enjoy kayaking on the bay with its calm waters and tranquil surroundings. It will certainly be a memorable outdoor activity.
For me, the most memorable moments were dining by the window on the cruise ship. The idyllic scenery outside, seen through the small window, was like a moving painting; everything seemed to drift gently, and time seemed to slow down, so very slowly. And yes, a peaceful, moonlit night on the ship, clearly seeing the silhouettes of the limestone mountains gliding past. There was nothing but the sound of the wind, the gentle lapping of the waves, and the silent night. Some people sat smoking cigarettes, gazing into the distance. Some stood by the railing, enjoying the calm night breeze, while others wore headphones, listening to music and savoring each slow moment on the cruise ship…
Admire Ha Long Bay at night with its sparkling illuminated structures.
After a long day exploring Ha Long City, if you're looking for a bit of peace amidst the brightly lit streets at night, don't miss the moment when the city lights up. Every small street, the harbor, and the bridges become dazzling in the light.
The most impressive part of Ha Long Bay at night is admiring the Bai Chay Bridge – one of the city's iconic landmarks. This is Vietnam's most modern cable-stayed bridge, featuring energy-efficient LED lighting that creates continuously changing color gradients along the cables. From a distance, the bridge appears to be performing a rhythmic and dazzling dance of light.
Tourists often stroll across the Bai Chay Bridge to admire the city and the vast landscape, with ships and yachts shining brightly at night. Standing here, gazing at the glittering streets and enjoying the cool sea breeze, you will fully experience a Ha Long Bay that shines with tranquility.
Alternatively, if you're looking for a more vibrant atmosphere, you can choose a beachfront bar or a live music café in Bai Chay to immerse yourself in the vibe; or stop by the night market to experience the bustling energy of the shops and souvenir stalls…
Soaring by plane to visit "Skull Island"
It's not an exaggeration to say you don't need to rush to the Maldives to enjoy the unique experience of flying over the sea in a seaplane, admiring the stunning scenery. Try this exciting service right here in Ha Long Bay and experience countless unforgettable moments.
If you choose a direct flight from Hanoi to Ha Long, you'll have 45 minutes to admire the scenic Northern Delta landscape from above, with its picturesque rice paddies and rivers. Upon arriving in Ha Long Bay, you'll have another 15 minutes to enjoy a panoramic view of the bay, with nearly 2,000 islands of varying sizes rising above the stunning turquoise waters.
The breathtaking aerial maneuvers and landings on the water, with their white foam splashing everywhere, elicit exhilarating cheers from everyone. Beyond conquering the skies and waters around the islands, you can also enjoy the beauty of the long stretches of fine sandy beaches bathed in golden sunlight, and experience the daily life of the locals in the small fishing villages.
Each pilot on the flight will be your personal tour guide. At each destination, you will receive commentary and interact directly with the pilot. Every fascinating destination in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay will be within your view, offering an unforgettable experience, wouldn't you agree?
Enjoy the pristine nature on Co To Island.
Why is the sea in Co To so intensely blue this afternoon? The ever-changing blue of the sea this afternoon in Co To seems to be challenging the vocabulary of each of us, our hearts filled with mixed emotions. What is the sea blue like? Blue like young banana leaves? Blue like ripe banana leaves? Blue like the autumn green of Vong village's sticky rice cakes? The sea in Co To is shifting from one shade of blue to another. Is it as blue as Kim Trong's robe during the Thanh Minh festival?
- Co To, Nguyen Tuan
If you've ever read writer Nguyen Tuan's descriptions of Co To Island, you'll surely be eager to see that strangely beautiful blue color at least once in your life. This pearl island is a symbol of the pristine beauty of Quang Ninh province. Visiting Co To, you'll enjoy a refreshing atmosphere, full of sunshine and breeze, with cool, green roads; curving coastlines, smooth sandy beaches, swaying casuarina trees, and starfish still lying dreamily on the white sand.
In recent years, Co To has lost some of its pristine beauty due to the overwhelming number of tourists during peak seasons. Don't worry too much about this inconvenience; explore this gem of an island when your heart is filled with excitement!
Running through Ha Long
Combining travel and sports exploration will refresh your emotions and experiences. In recent years, the trend of running on pristine, nature-friendly trails has become increasingly popular. This is simply because you're running while enjoying the unspoiled beauty of nature, not just improving your health.
Put on your running shoes and start your run through the streets of Ha Long, along the coast of Tuan Chau Island, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the salty taste of the sea, the bustling sounds of fishing boats, and catching the most beautiful sunset of the day when your legs are tired from the long run... A wonderful experience you should try.
Explore Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island beach.
Most cruise tours in Ha Long Bay don't miss these two fascinating tourist attractions. These are perhaps the most memorable highlights of your Ha Long Bay exploration that you should definitely note down.
Titop Island is quite special, boasting a crescent-shaped white sand beach. People often spend an afternoon here relaxing and engaging in light activities such as swimming or sunbathing, lounging on the beach drinking coconut water, reading, chatting, and admiring the scenery. Alternatively, you can try climbing to the top of Titop Mountain for a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay.
With its system of islands of varying sizes rising above the water's surface, Ha Long Bay also boasts many stunning caves for tourists to explore. I was most impressed with Sung Sot Cave, and true to its name, upon arriving, we were astonished by its pristine and mystical beauty in a world that was half real and half dreamlike.
Here, you'll spend a considerable amount of time simply gazing at and admiring the wondrous beauty that nature has bestowed upon Ha Long. The cave ceiling is covered in a silky, velvety carpet, with brilliant rays of light illuminating the "royal garden," the crystal-clear lake, and the sparkling stalactite "chandeliers" that hang like gold leaf.
Immerse yourself in the life of the people in Cua Van fishing village.
Traveling isn't just about admiring the natural scenery; it's also an opportunity to better understand the local culture and lifestyle. Don't hesitate to ask questions, make friends, and start interesting conversations with the locals. Interacting and sharing smiles will create beautiful memories for your exploration of Quang Ninh.
Cua Van fishing village is where you can immerse yourself in the lives of the fishermen and experience their bustling daily routine. It has also recently been included in the list of the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world, according to a travel website.Journeyetc.comVote.
The floating village is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains. The only sounds in this calm sea are the rhythmic tapping of oars against the sides of boats chasing fish behind the mountains and the calls of fishermen from dawn till dusk. You can come here to admire the scenery and even participate directly in rowing boats, casting nets, and fishing for shrimp and fish with the local fishermen.
PROFIle - Hachi8
- Full name: Ngo Huy Hoa
- Year of birth: 1985
- Hometown: Hanoi
- Living in: Hanoi
- Job responsibilities: Producing films and short videos about travel and sports experiences; landscape photography.
- Number of countries visited: 10
- Future plans: Watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Myanmar, experiencing the golden autumn in Jiuzhaigou...
