Also known as Hong Gai, Hon Gai or Hongay, Halong is a port city in northern Vietnam. It's particularly distinguished by its famous bay, which continues to draw countless visitors. It serves as the main departure point for cruises into Halong Bay. During a stopover, you can enjoy views over the bay and perhaps treat yourself to a small boat ride around the first karst peaks in the area.

History

Literally meaning "descent of the Dragon," Halong comes from a legendary tale in which this creature carved a deep gorge into the mountain to tame the ocean currents. Over time, the numerous tunnels and cavities are said to have served as hideouts for Vietnamese guerrilla fighters between the 1940s and 1950s.

Historically, Halong's development was primarily economic in nature. Coal mining constituted the city's main resource. Its position on the main route south toward China drove rapid growth in tourism activities. Around 2007, an agreement was signed for a massive project valued at several million dollars to build a highway near the Chinese border, between Halong and Mong Cai.

Today

Beyond tourism, which significantly contributes to the city's development, numerous other sectors make the region an economic powerhouse. Among the most important are commerce, coal industry, fishing, aquatic product processing, port activities and construction materials. There is also talk of expanding Halong, which now hosts the Dông Son and Ky Thuong national reserve forests. Consolidating the city with Hoành Bô, extremely rich in natural resources, will further enhance its potential.

Geographic Location

Halong once denoted the old administrative center of Hông Gai, where the majority of the population belongs to the Viet Kinh ethnic group. The city represented the cultural, economic and political hub of Quang Ninh province, located roughly 150 km from Hanoi. The city is bounded to the east by Cam Pha district, to the west by Yên Hung district, to the north by Hoanh Bo district and to the south by the charming Halong Bay, including more than 20 km of coastline.

Halong is divided into two sections, running east to west. The first zone, to the east, houses government buildings and factories where fish and coal are transported from the port. The other section, to the west, encompasses the Bay Chai site, designated as a tourist area. This western division of Halong now boasts numerous hotels, hospitals and several private clinics. If you'd like to see the city from a different vantage point, the Nu Hoang cable car can take you to the summit of Ba Deo mountain while crossing Cua Luc Bay, departing from Bay Chai.

Exploring Halong Bay

Located 170 km from Hanoi, west of the Gulf of Tonkin, this vast natural marine bay continues to captivate both local residents and visitors from around the world. With an area of 1,553 km², Halong Bay shelters a little-visited inlet, Bai Tu Long, in its eastern section. You'll find fishing villages such as Cua Van, Cap De and Ba Hang. These small settlements are home to approximately 2,000 inhabitants, living primarily from fishing, aquaculture and hybrid seafood farming.

Halong Bay owes its fame above all to its relics that triggered the earth's morphological processes and the development of island systems. A visit to this bay involves exploring its magnificent caves, dating back thousands of years, including Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace), Tam Cung (Three Palaces) and Sung Sot (Surprise Cave). Beyond exploring the caves, the site offers a range of activities to enrich your journey. You'll have the chance to kayak or explore the seabed with a snorkel. The most exciting adventure involves visiting the surrounding islands with their sublime scenery. Among the most beautiful are Titov, Quan Lan, Co To, Bo Hon, Soi Sim, Ngoc Vung and Mat Rong islands. The detour is absolutely worthwhile, but a boat cruise is essential. This is partly why the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A Glimpse of Bay Chai

Bay Chai is a beach resort where an artificial sandy beach was created along Halong Bay. Its shores extend for more than 500 meters in length and 500 meters in width. The entire landscape is characterized by a succession of low hills that slope toward the sea. Its cable-stayed bridge, measuring nearly 1,000 m long, connects the two subdivisions of Halong.

Practical Information

Climate

Halong is Vietnam's most humid city. Its climate is generally characterized by two seasonal types. There's a hot and humid period from April to September, followed by dry weather, sometimes freezing, observed during October to March. Rainfall seems more abundant in summer than in winter. The average annual temperature hovers around 24°C while precipitation can reach up to 2,000 mm.

There are several ways to reach the city of Halong.

By Helicopter and Seaplane

Travelers who can afford the luxury have a choice between these two forms of transport. Aircraft depart from Hanoi International Airport and land at Tuan Chau Island Marina Airport. Allow 45 minutes of flight time.

By Bus or Minibus

Several companies operate services to the Bai Chay bus station in Halong, near Tuan Chau Marina port. Buses depart from My Dinh bus station. Minibuses, also called limousines, depart from Gia Lam.

Taxi and Private Car

Vehicles depart from Hanoi International Airport or from the city center. Taxis can be found anywhere. Alternatively, you can arrange a private vehicle through your local travel agency.

Halong has excellent public transportation, including local buses. Many taxis offer their services at 70,000 dong per ride. There's also the Grab service, though availability depends on vehicle supply. You can also rent a scooter or bicycle to explore the surroundings and move easily from one site to another.