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Best things to do in Halong Bay

Ha Long is known as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam, it is blessed with many beautiful landscapes that captivate people. Coming to Ha Long, tourists should not miss the opportunity to discover interesting experiences at the top 10 best things to do in Halong Bay below:

1. Sun World Hạ Long Park

Sun World Ha Long Park Complex is Vietnam’s leading closed entertainment complex, coming here as if you were lost in a world of recreational games for all ages including many games. Thrilling novelties, attractiveness has never been in Vietnam and have been tested very closely on safety items such as: Speeding Flying Dragon, Tracking Dragon Foot, Rhino Rage, Pirate Ship … Besides There are also some games for those who like lightness but no less adventure – novelties such as Magic Umbrella, Tropical Yacht, Magic Ferris…
Besides to meet for For those who are interested in water sports, you can join Typhon Water Park with such outstanding games as: Tsunami waves, Tropical Storms, National Magic Island, Giant Bolt, Challenging the serpent …. What better place than Sun World Ha Long Park, when you just need to choose a destination that you can both try your courage with the system of thrilling games and high entertainment? just satisfy the thirst and sultry atmosphere of the summer when immersed in a large and unique water park with the largest wave pool in the North.

2. Tuan Chau Island

Tuan Chau Amusement Park has now been established with a center of music and art performance combining water, music and light to create a creative work of art. Besides, you can participate in the underwater show with skillful acrobatics from dolphins, sea lions. In addition, when visiting the island, you can also participate in a number of other interesting sports activities such as: water recreation services including activities such as parachute canoe, high speed jet skiing, visiting service. visit Halong by tourist ship, high-class boat, seaplane …
Indeed, Tuan Chau today is an indispensable destination for most visitors to Halong. Besides Tuan Chau Island also has a 2-km-long artificial beach, here you can comfortably struggle among the clear blue waves. Next to the beach is a 50-room villa with international standard of 5 stars, giving guests a lot of comfortable moments.

3. Yen Tu landscapes

Yen Tu, also known as Bach Van Son, is a 1,068m high mountain, covered with white clouds in the Dong Trieu range, Thuong Yen Cong commune, Uong Bi city. Since ancient times has been considered famous Vietnamese land paint. Right from the 10th century, the Taoist priest Yen Ky Sinh came to practice and enlightenment here, but Yen Tu was really famous only when King Tran Nhan Tong – a reigning king (at the end of the 13th century) had renounce the throne to come here to practice, study the Buddha Dharma and become the first Patriarch of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism with the Buddhist name Dieu Giac Hoang.
Since then, Yen Tu has become the ideological capital of Vietnamese Buddhism, marking the development of philosophy and ideology of the contemporary nation. Today through many ups and downs, the remaining relics in Yen Tu have found 11 pagodas and hundreds of am, towers, stelae, statues, convergence of many architectural styles, sculptures of the ages.

4. Sung Sot Cave

Sung Sot Cave is located in the heart of Ha Long Bay, located on Bo Hon Island, about 8 km from Tuan Chau tourist wharf – which is like the center of the world natural heritage of Halong Bay. The cave is about 25 – 30 meters above sea level, you just need to conquer 140 stone steps to reach the mouth of the cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Halong Bay true to its name “Sung Sot Cave” indeed when coming here you will be amazed at the beauty of nature at the hands of nature.
The cave is divided into two main compartments, the entire head compartment is like an immense large theater. The cave ceiling is covered with a layer of silky carpet and the stalactite system is like crystal chandeliers, making the beauty of the cave more magical. Besides the stalactite world with diverse shapes such as stone statues, stone elephants, seals, raspberries, flowers … all seem to be wavering between the real world and the dream. According to the planning of the management of Halong Bay, Sung Sot Cave belongs to the sightseeing route No. 02 – the main sightseeing route for visitors who want to experience the overnight service on the cruise with famous destinations such as Titop Island, Luon Cave.

5. Thien Cung Cave

Located in the north of Dau Go Island, 4km to the south of the cruise ship port. Discovered by a fisherman in 1993, the cave is located at an altitude of about 25 meters above sea level, the fermenting road climbing the mountain and being covered by plant populations. Entering the cave entrance, an entirely new space with an area of nearly 10,000 square meters and is divided into 3 compartments, especially anywhere, any space we see the system of stalactites and bamboo shoots rock ….
Help stimulate the imagination of each traveler with strange shapes such as: Dragon, Phuong, Elephant, Snake, Fairy, besides tourists also visualize the breast blocks that help us recall the legend of “Con Dragon – Grandson “. Indeed, visiting the cave, you seem to be lost in a fairytale hiding place as the name “THIEN CUNG CEREMONY” means the palace of the Jade Emperor … Today Thien Cung cave is a favorite attraction for tourists. Many domestic and international tourists visit and explore the cave. If you want to visit, just book a day or two-day bay tours at the hotel with an attractive itinerary.

6. Luon Cave

Coming here notwithstanding the superb characteristic landscape, you additionally have the chance to take an interest in one of the exercises that numerous sightseers love to visit in Ha Long is kayaking (visitors can pick the alternative of paddling – have neighborhood individuals push). Luon Cave is one of the most beautiful kayaking spots in Ha Long Bay.
Only a mere length of about 100 meters but the journey through one of the largest and most beautiful cross-water caves of Ha Long will give each visitor an interesting feeling and have to say because of the beautiful stalactites and naturally hanging from the ceiling of the store. After crossing the cave we will meet a windy and calm water valley, the four are luxuriant trees and cliffs. Especially if you are lucky, you will see wild golden monkeys living here and rare sea birds. It will be a wonderful and memorable experience when you can kayak on your own and enjoy the feeling of floating on the clear water of Halong Bay and weaving between mossy islands of millions of years of style. Besides, enjoy the wonders and beauty of Halong in its own way.

7. Fighting Cock Islet (Drum Roof)

Located near Dinh Huong Island in the southeast of the bay, about 5 km from Tuan Chau cruise ship port. According to detailed statistics, Halong has an area of 1,553 km with 1,969 islands, large and small – indeed, it can be said that when coming to Halong, tourists feel like they are lost in another world of sculptures by mountains under the impact. of nature combined with the rich and diverse imagination of visitors gradually forming the famous stone statues, the most famous of which is Hon Ga Choi – considered the symbol of Halong tourism.

8. Titop island

Located about 8 km southeast of Tuan Chau international tourist pier and after 2 hours on the cruise, you have come to the center of the world natural heritage. It has the island that is considered the most famous of Ha Long Bay. Indeed this is an ideal place for each traveler to mingle with the clear blue water and natural scenery of Halong.
Besides, if you are a hobbyist, perhaps Titop Island is a must-visit destination, after passing about 400 stone steps, you have reached the top of Titop Island where you can freely watch. Halong view from above (most of the beautiful photos from above are taken here) With a 360-degree view, you can fully enjoy the panoramic view of the bay from many different angles. It is not worth climbing a bit if you can see the beauty of Ha Long Bay from the top of Ti Top – especially young travelers who are interested in taking photos and checking in.

9. Bai Tu Long Bay

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, in the Northeast region of Vietnam. Bai Tu Long Bay incorporates an ocean zone of Ha Long City, Cam Pha City and Van Don Island District.
The South West outskirts Ha Long Bay, the East fringes on the ocean, the West fringes the territory to Cam Pha City and the Northeast fringes on Co To Island District. Bai Tu Long Bay comprises of several huge and little islands and huge numbers of which are enormous and occupied.

10. Cua Van Fishing Village

Considered one of the largest and most beautiful fishing villages on Ha Long Bay, located more than 10 km from Tuan Chau tourist wharf, formerly the place of 300 rafts houses with thousands of people, however, to meet The fishing village was re-planned in 2016 to meet the requirements of tourism exploitation.
Coming to Cua Van fishing village, you can not only immerse yourself in a peaceful, quiet space with clear blue water and admire the natural scenery of “charming aquatic paint” but also have the opportunity to experience everyday life. of fishermen here and they are instructed on how to row, drop nets, fish shrimp – catch fish.

Overall, there are 10 best things to do in Halong Bay that you should check when travelling in Ha Long. For more information, please contact us via our website, Facebook fan page…

Vietnam Trekking in Kong: Skull Island Movie Hidden Cave

You can follow the steps of Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson in Kong: Skull Island movie in your Vietnam trekking. But be honest, it is not only the “Skull Island”, it is also mostly Vietnam you can see in your hiking trails.

Let’s go through the main filming locations include: Ha Long Bay, Quang Binh, Trang An – Tam Coc and some more rivers and mountains in the northern of Ninh Binh province to find out the reasons make they the perfect setting for a Holywood blockbuster.

Halong Bay – a dreamy destination

Photo by: Padaw

There are thousands of limestone islands rise from the shallows of the Gulf of Tonkin here waiting for you in your Vietnam hiking tours.

Ha Long Bay has been ranked high internationally more than one time. Lonely Planet – a popular travel guide has included Halong Bay on the list of the “best places to explore in 2017”. It is also listed in the “UNESCO World Heritage site”. So that there is no one site can be more idealistic to visit in your Vietnam trekking. This site is located in Quang Ninh province, promises to wow every audience that appreciates the emerald sea, natural beaches, uninhabited islands, enigmatic caves, … Nature in the majestic Halong Bay is out of anyone’s imagination. And the “Bay of the Descending Dragon” is one fairy and supernatural example. We cannot find anywhere more ideal for a giant gorilla to hide than this site which is dotted with over 1600 islands.

Come to this site when hiking in Vietnam you not only can explore the majestic nature but also can enjoy the comprehensive experience: trying tai chi, staying on a junk-style boat for 1-2 nights, kayaking, swimming, cooking classes and fresh seafood, fishing, and gourmet cuisine… As the comprehensive experience of Halong bay, it becomes the most attractive place to come for couples on their honeymoon, wedding anniversaries, family gatherings. You can easily understand the hallucinatory effect of these strange shapes if you sail into Halong Bay.

Ninh Binh – a peaceful land

Photo by: Travel Vietnam

It takes you just 2 hours to go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. Head to the south and you can explore one more dramatically beautiful landscape as Halong Bay.

Come to Ninh Binh province when hiking in Vietnam, you can visit many picturesque sceneries, from striking limestone outcrops and lush green paddy fields, to empty protected national parks, phenomenal caves, long twisting rivers, imperial historical sites. The selected background includes a 2 hectares valley belonging Van Long nature reserve and Trang A landscape. There are numerous natural mysterious fanciful caves offering the impeccable zone to film the Kong: Skull island movie. A trip goes through the tranquil river, the caves and the layer-cake mountains silhouetted beside a peachy sky with sleepy buffalo on the banks, seems so fancy.

Van Long is much less touristy than Tam Coc and Trang An. Visiting here while trekking Vietnam, you are able to go through the freshwater wetland into the limestone on a traditional wooden boat. There are many chances for you to watch the wild animals here. Van Long Nature Reserve also includes Delacour’s langur with the world’s largest remaining wild population. When the water is clear and the water surface is calm, you can see everything under your boat.

Quang Binh – a kingdom of caves

Photo by: Khoahoc

This place is not only famous for its magnificent cave systems and majestic limestone mountains but also a place full of history during the fierce and long war through decades. It must be the best trekking ever you shouldn’t forget to explore when you have a chance to come to Vietnam.

Go farther into the heart of Quang Binh province to explore Phong Nha – Ke Bang National park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the ideal plans on your Vietnam trekking. You can boast some of the longest dry cavern systems and underground rivers, especially Son Doong Cave – the largest cave on this planet. This landscape is impressing not only with the incredible size but also the ancient stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes, shapes, and colors.

You should not miss the chance to try kayaking, trekking, and swimming when you come to this site for your Vietnam tours. If you travel to this place in March, April or May, you also have chance to watch a multitude of beautiful butterflies

There is no doubt that this area is particularly effective as a film set because of its dramatic scenery. The grottoes and the caves are really fit for the King Kong towering and the superlative size King Kong could hide.
This site becomes more and more popular nowadays. If you love trekking, you should book a tour right now.

Blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” Shot in Halong Bay – Why Cong La – Ba Hang Chosen

The last shooting location in Vietnam of blockbuster “Kong” Skull Island” is “Cống Lá – Ba Hang”, belonging to Halong bay, and planned to shoot on this Mar 17. If overall Halong bay is a masterpiece of nature, Cống Lá – Ba Hang is actually a very super masterpiece: imposing, charming and mysterious.

Before that, to select this shooting location, the film crew came to Halong city half a year ago and spent many days to inspect the bay. On this Mar 16, Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts will just check only one time for the shooting process carried out on the following day.

According to a veteran navigator of Halong bay Management Department, Cống Lá section has two small faulous lakes enclosed by karst mountains. With a lake, only entering by climbing over a mountain, while with the other one, it’s possible to get into by boating through three grottoes (that’s why the area called “Ba Hang”, meaning “Three Grottoes”).

Cống Lá – Ba Hang is placed about 30km from Tuan Chau island and roughly 20km from Hon Gai wharf, on the adjacent area with Cat Ba island of Hai Phong province.

Here is stunning Cống Lá – Ba Hang via pictures of Photographer Đỗ Giang – who is invited by the film crew “Kong: Skull Island” to inspect the last shooting location with Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts on Mar 16. He is regarded as one of experts proficient in every corner of Halong bay and recognized as the photographer taking most photos about Halong bay on high.

Spectacular

Poetic

Waiting for low tide, small boats can get into the lake.

Masterpieces of nature

The lake in the core of mountain

>> Discover wonderful Halong bay by kayaking and cruising: http://www.activetravel.asia/top-halong-kayak-tours-vietnam-tl358.html

The Best Beautiful Floating Town in Vietnam

Cua Van – the peaceful village lies right in the core of the World Heritage Halong bay was recently rated as one of insanely beautiful small towns on the Earth by the famous travel site Huffington Post (view here).

Among sea and sky, a village appears with an uncanny beauty. Cua Van is located in a calm marine area enclosed by imposing limestone islets, a perfect location to anchor boat. It is a significant component of the bay. Here, there is 176 households inhabit and almost the residents make a living from fishing.

Combination between majestic karst hills and teal water created an amazingly fascination for Halong bay. Among this charming scenery, the small village Cua Van exists that seemingly adds a lively nuance for this wonderland. It is a pristine village, simple and not bustling.

This village derives from two ancient fishing villages of Giang Võng and Trúc Võng, now belongs to Hung Thang ward of Halong city.

Its residents have a unique culture and lifestyle of with unbelievable skills: moving house to house by just a tiny styrofoam boat; nourishing fish under house floor; upturning a floor-board, getting out a mussel, and there will be a nice dish.

Here, the local life is almost not confused by modern rhythm of life. The village has a tranquil, pristine look which is hard to find in elsewhere. Wooden junks and bamboo basket boats park in front of colorful raft dwellings and winding lanes. Houses are tied firmly each other to oppose thunderstorms and hurricanes. The fishermen are rustic and artless but really hospitable. They also have the good sense to save environment and keep this breathtaking scenery. Everyday, they alternately gather rubbish on the sea surface and neighborhood. Their raft houses are really clean and tidy.

In this neverland, it is possible to lazily lie on sundeck and relax or stand up and actively take part in some exploring activities. For the latter choice, there is a mass of interesting things to do, such as exploring Tien Ong cave and Ba Ham lake, climbing mountains, and kayaking around Halong bay (actually interesting as you find out a secret, untouched beach or a hidden way piercing through an islet). To close with the indigenous life, let come to the fishing site of Van Chai village to get experiences of catching squids on wooden ferry-boat, rowing basket boat, casting net and fishing under helps of the local villagers.

Some images of Cua Van villages:

Halong Bay – The Land of Descending Dragon

Although the name Halong Bay has made it to the world thanks to its world heritage title and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, not many people know about the mystery beneath that name. In ancient Vietnamese, Halong literally means “descending dragon” and it is originated from a legend of this ancient land.

It is said that from a long time ago, when Vietnam is a newly formed country, this country had to fight with fierce invaders from the North. Feel sorry for this country, the Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and her child descending on earth to help the ancient Vietnamese people.

While the mighty enemies were attacking the main land, the Mother Dragon and her child suddenly appeared and incinerated the enemies with their divine fire and giant emeralds. The emeralds from the dragon’s mouth were scattered around the battlefield on the sea and formed an invincible defensive wall that left enemy battleship fleet sinking. Thanks to the dragons, the Northern invaders were finally swept away and the peace finally came back the South East Asian country once again. After thousands of years, the wall of emerald turned into island and islets of different sizes and shapes.

To remember the help of Mother Dragon and her children, the people live there from generation to generation name the bay where the Mother Dragon descended “Ha Long or Halong” and the bay where her children descended “Bai Tu Long”, which means “Thanks to the Dragon’s children”. This legend is also a part of the general belief that Vietnamese people’s has Dragon’s origins.

If you want to explore the stunning beauty of Halong bay, here come some suggestions for your trip:

– Kayaking and Cruising Halong Bay: http://www.activetravel.asia/kayaking-and-cruising-halong-t201.html

– Family Adventures in Vietnam: http://www.activetravel.asia/family-adventures-in-vietnam-t194.html

– Halong Travel Information: http://www.activetravel.asia/halong-travel-information-g258.html

Ha Long Bay is New Wonder of Nature

Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, announced the New7WondersFoundation on November 12 after the first count of global voting ended a day earlier.

Halong Bay

In alphabetical order, the seven winners are the Amazon, Ha Long Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Table Mountain.

The New7Wonders of Nature campaign have been carried out over the past four years, starting with more than 440 locations from about 220 countries.

The New7Wonders of Nature have been chosen from the 28 finalist candidates, according to Bernard Weber, founding president of Switzerland-based New7Wonders Foundation.

According to the foundation, the results are provisional and based on the first tally of votes. The votes still need to be checked, validated and independently verified.

Once the voting validation process is complete, in early 2012, New7Wonders will then work with the confirmed winners to organize the official inauguration events.

The foundation also noted that it is possible that one or more of the provisional winners will not be confirmed during the validation process. New7Wonders will issue a media update if that occurs.“When the New7Wonders of Nature are confirmed, they will join the man-made New 7 Wonders of the World in becoming part of global memory for humankind forever,” Weber said.

Ha Long Bay is located in the northern province of Quang Ninh. It features thousands of limestone karsts and isles of various sizes and shapes. The bay has a 120-kilometer long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometers in size, with 1969 islets.

Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Others support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks.

Another feature of Ha Long Bay is its abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands. For example, Dau Be island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned dolines within fengcong karst.

Source: thanhniennews

How to Find Safe Travel in Halong Bay Vietnam

Having read the news about tourist boat sunk in Halong Bay, Vietnam some days ago, killing 12 tourists from 9 countries, ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA would like to give out some advices about how to travel safely and enjoyably in Halong Bay. There are some something you should concern about as you plan your trip there.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

1. Overnight junk (vessel) or hotel?

When you travel you can stay in hotel anywhere, anytime and that is just so normal. If you want to have a unique travel experience in Halong Bay it worth spending a night aboard of an overnight vessel amongst thousands of islands and islets. Though the recently tragedy incident happened to an overnight vessel I still vote for it. The question now is how to minimize the risk.

2. How to choose a reliable overnight vessel?

Stick to popular names like Indochina Sails, Huong Hai Junk, Bai Tho Junk, Hai Long Junk,… there are many boat fleets recommended or not recommended on TripAdvisor by travelers. We all know that the big brand is likely a guarantee for the quality. In this case, it is so true. A wooden vessel of a big fleet after some year in operation would be sold to smaller fleet who is targeting at cheap services. These old wooden vessels are not reliable especially in bad weather.

When you book overnight vessel ask your travel consultant or reservation license of the vessel for doing its business. That can tell a lot how reliable your overnight vessel is.

3. What else a popular big vessel fleet can offer?

Their crew are better trained and more discipline. They concentrate on what they do better than crew of a small and unorganized fleet. The vessels are well maintained and safety equipments aboard are better equipped. There are many more things about quality and safety that a small and cheap fleet can not offer traveler since they just target at cheap services.

4. Already aboard, what you should concern?

There should be a hummer in your cabin which can be used to break the glass window in case of emergency. The hummer should be hang right on either sides of the window and you have locate it so you can have it when you need (hope not). If you do not find the hummer you should ask for one from the crew or you make something yourself for that purpose.

There should also be life-vest in your cabin. You have to be sure that you have them ready in case.

Scan the whole vessel for emergency escape way, fire extinguisher,… that would be useful in case of emergency.

Vietnam Offers Much in Halong Bay Tours

According to ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA’s tours to south-east Asia, travelers want to visit some marvelous places in Vietnam that have been recommended by travel experts and reporters.

Kayaking in Halong Bay, Vietnam

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