The best one day tour for Halong Bay – Located in Tonkin Gulf, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its spectacular landscape as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ha Long Bay is known for its sparkling waters, over 1,600 large calcareous islands and islets and caves, as well as the traditional floating village.
Halong Bay is one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Vietnam. It’s chock-filled with things to see and eat. There will be many things to consider, such as what to see, what to eat, where to book a tour, to visit and enjoy the place thoroughly in one day. To make your best one day tour for Halong Bay worthwhile, we’ve made this guide to help you out. Halong Bay may be difficult in one day, but it’s not impossible. You’re not going to regret visiting Halong Bay in the end.
Is it enough to explore Halong Bay in one day?
Many tourists wonder, “One day is enough for Ha Long to explore?” “The answer is sufficient. There are nearly 2,000 large and small islands in Ha Long Bay, which make up more than 2/3 of the island. Not to mention caves, in and out of town tourist spots.
All these locations are difficult to discover. There are different destinations, depending on the tourists’ time. If Ha Long is to be explored for only one day, visitors should only select the highlights to visit.
One day in Ha Long, visitors can go through rocky islands, caves, or coastal fishing villages. Besides, visitors will experience interesting activities here such as bathing, taking photos, enjoying Halong specialties… In short, one day for visitors to discover and feel sure enough. Take the beauty of the Halong Bay World Natural Heritage.
back to menu ↑What to see Halong Bay in one day
Halong Bay may be one of the world’s most charming and magnificent nature sites. Its beauty and the way people live between them create an incredible and unforgettable mix. When people mention Halong Bay, people think about the calcareous rocks that mark the entire bay, cellars, numerous caves, and caves. Just one day to visit, all you have to see or do before you go should be known, and this part will show you all that. If you’re in Hanoi and start at 8, Halong Bay will be driving for at least 3 hours. We will start the journey one day from Halong Bay by boarding a cruise boat at about 11.
Fighting Cock Rocks
These rocks are one of the best-known islets of Halong Bay, shaped like a pair of chickens. Cock Rocks or usually called Trong Mai Islet for its more charming name (rooster and hen islet). Some call it Kissing Birds. Every time a tour boat passes through, no matter what name you call them, they always get noticed. It is usually one of the first islets on your journey.
At 10 meters from sea level, it appears in numerous works of art, especially in literature and painting. The rocks may fall at any given moment, but they refuse to do so. Standing on the deck while looking at this wonderful creation of nature is mesmerizing and relaxing for many people. Be sure to take a lot of photos to remember.
Dinh Huong Islet
Dinh Huong Islet should be your next stop. It’s southwest of the island of Dau Go. Only one large rock in the middle of the sea is the islet. You can see four pins below the rock when the tide is low, forming a shape that resembles a huge incense burner, hence the name Dinh Huong (incense burner). Nobody knows exactly when the islet was formed, but in Halong Bay, it remains a sacred symbol.
It has great symbolic and spiritual values, with the possibility of dedicating its name to heroes who have lost their lives to protect Vietnam. The fact that the 200,000 VND note is printed makes it even more of a symbol.
Dinh Huong Islet is also a clear example of the geological and geomorphological value of Halong Bay. Besides being a charming site, it also acts as an object to help you navigate boats and cruises. There are also a lot of islands to see and explore, but seeing 2 of the most iconic rocks on a day trip is not bad at all. After you’ve seen a few rocks and islets, it’s time to start exploring the many caves in Halong Bay. Your one day tour of Halong Bay is just beginning.
Thien Cung Cave
Usually, tourists begin their cave tour by visiting Thien Cung Cave. It’s just a little bit north of Dau Go Island. The most beautiful and primitive of all the caves in Halong Bay is the Thien Cung cave (Heaven Palace cave). The cave fascinates all of its visitors, with a total area of 10,000 square meters along with its complex interior structure. But the unique system of stalactites and stalagmites, which come in different shapes and sizes, is what makes it famous. If you visit Halong Bay in just one day, you must visit this place.
It was not until 1993 when fishers tried to find shelter during a great storm that they stumbled upon the cave because the entrance was well hidden. It’s no simple task to explore Thien Cung cave, make sure you can walk long distances and climb lots of stairs. Remember to make full use of your imagination when observing the cave to create images of giant rock pillars naturally sculpted with stalactites.
Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot Cave is the next cave which you should visit. It is possible to translate the name Sung Sot Cave into Shocking Cave. Tourists tend to be in a state of shock and awe, much like its name, when they first step into the cave. One day in Halong Bay, yours couldn’t be complete unless you saw this place.
With multiple sites to see, the cave is divided into two main parts. The ceiling is covered in the first part with a layer of glittering stalactites that form numerous shapes resembling things such as statues, elephants, flowers, and much more. You have to walk along a small road to reach the second part of the cave. With a stream of colorful and brilliant light and a vast bank that can hold thousands, the second part opens up. With stalactites in the form of seals, dinosaurs, trees, etc., the scenery in this part is just as bizarre as the first part.
Kayaking through the Bay
It should be around 2-2.30pm after you visit the iconic rocks and caves. It’s time to get some kayaking started. If you want to have a more active experience while exploring, kayaking is perfect. Note that in Halong Bay, you only have one day to do it. One of the best ways to explore the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay is kayaking. Visit hidden caves and unspoiled beaches, paddle through the sea, and go where the big, heavy cruise ships can’t.
If you want to try kayaking, here are some tips. Remember that doing it by yourself is extremely difficult and dangerous, so try to find a tour guide that can help guide you to safe areas. For this activity, a life jacket is a must. Approximately 4-4.30 is the perfect time to end your one day trip and come back to Hanoi.
back to menu ↑How to book one day tour before you arrive
- You can book a tour in person at one of the many agencies in Hanoi. However, we strongly recommend online booking. Using a booking service such as Get Your Guide (first preference for tourists) gives you a third party safety net if anything goes wrong.
- Online payment is safe, cancellation policies are generally relaxed if your plans change and you can manage your reservation on the app (no need to print anything).
- Online booking also gives you time and space to properly investigate the options (and when it comes to traveling to Halong Bay from Hanoi, there are a lot). This reduces the likelihood of being pressurized into something you don’t want to do. Get Your Guide lists the tour provider for each itinerary so that you can do independent research to verify the company before you book.
- We would recommend that you book your day tour at least 3 weeks out if you’re traveling in the low season or 6-8 weeks out if you’re traveling in the high season. If push comes to shove, you can usually find a tour with availability a few days away (or even the night before).
Important things to note
- You will need to enter your details when booking a Halong Bay tour, including your full name, passport number, and expiry date of the visa. If you don’t have your Vietnam visa yet, you can make a note of this. On that day, remember to bring your passport with you! To check-in at the dock, you’ll need it.
- Some tour operators will only pick you up at the hotel, not the Airbnb. This doesn’t mean you have to organize your transportation, it just means you need to get to the nearest hotel for the scheduled pick-up.
- In the same way, most tour operators charge an extra charge (approximately $10) to pick up a hotel outside of the Old Quarter.
- Most lunches are heavy with seafood but can be personalized. Give your company a lot of warning if you are vegan or have a dietary requirement.
- It’s customary to tip your guide as long as you’re happy with the service. How much you leave depends on you – the size of the group, the length of the tour, etc. You’ll also appreciate a small tip for your skipper or driver. You also have an opportunity to leave a donation at a nearby school or library if you go to a floating village. Don’t give the money straight to the kids.
- On the road from Hanoi to Halong, most buses and vans will stop at souvenir shops or craft workshops. Don’t feel pressured to buy anything; just to smile and walk through it is perfectly OK. Save your money instead for Hanoi’s shops!
- Be very careful to remember what is included and what is not included in the tour price. Lunch includes most day tours, but some do not include drinks. Hiring kayaking equipment is often an optional extra that you have to pay for on the day in cash.
- Tours in Halong Bay are constantly subject to modification. If it rains, boats will still sail, but if it’s bad enough, your tour will probably be altered or canceled.
