Ha Long Bay (also "Halong Bay") is in northern Vietnam, 170 km (105 mi) east of Hanoi. The bay is famous for its scenic ocean karst topography and is often included in lists of natural wonders of the world. Ha long Bay is a bay located in the area of the Gulf of Tangkia, north of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It has an area of 1,500 square kilometers and has a coastline about 120 kilometers away from Hanoi. The name was based on the pronunciation in the Vietnam language "Viet Nam Ha Long".
Halong Bay is serviced by 3 International airports - Van Don Airport, Noi Bai International Airport and Cat Bi International Airport. These airports are well connected to other domestic hubs across Vietnam and also from popular international destinations across the world. Taxis are available from these airports to Halong Bay. The capital city of Hanoi is the most important urban city nearest to Hanoi. From here, taxis, rental cars and even trains are available to Halong City which is the gateway to Halong Bay.
The best time to visit Halong Bay is from September to December. This period is characterized by pleasant temperatures and no rainfall. The months of November and December especially experience bright sunny days and a lesser crowd making it the ideal months. The temperatures in this time range from 18°C to around 28°C. The months of May to September is also a suitable time to visit Halong Bay, especially for those who have tighter budgets.
Characterized by towering karst limestone pillars and small islets of various shapes and sizes amidst crystal blue waters, Halong Bay's ethereal beauty is a sight to behold. Located in northern Vietnam, it is the most popular tourist spot this side of the country. Halong Bay, where 'Halong' translates to 'where the dragon descends into the sea', had a part of it designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994. Halong City is the main entry point to the bay.
The most common way of exploring the region is via a cruise or day-trip boats, where tourists laze around in the boats while cruising among the limestone pillars and a number of islets. Many cruises and day-trips also include an island drop off and cave explorations. There are some floating villages as well which allow visitors to come and interact with the locals, try their food and buy knick-knacks. Kayaking is another activity which has vastly become popular in recent years. One can kayak near and around the limestone pillars on a bright sunny day. Few caves also allow for exploring by kayaking which is an experience highly recommended.