Legend says a family of dragons descended here to defend the land, spitting out jewels that became the islands of Ha Long – the name means 'where the dragon descends'. Today nearly two thousand limestone islands and islets rise from the Gulf of Tonkin, and the bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The way to know it is from the water: cruising between the karsts, paddling into hidden lagoons, walking through vast caves and climbing to a viewpoint as the sun goes down.
Best time to go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) usually bring the most pleasant weather; summer is hot with a chance of storms, and winter is cool and often misty.
What it feels like
- Gliding past limestone towers on a quiet deck
- Paddling into a lagoon ringed by cliffs
- Watching the sunset turn the islands to silhouettes
A local's tip
A day cruise from Hanoi is a long but easy day – most of the time is spent sitting on the bus or the boat, so bring a light jacket for the air-conditioning and the evening breeze on deck.
