What You'll See and Do on a Halong Bay Cruise

Kayaking through Halong Bay is probably the best way to explore the bay, and get close to nature. The calm emerald waters, narrower areas and system of cave tunnels make a perfect setting for kayaking. Don't worry if you can't swim, everyone is required to wear life vests and the possibility of capsizing is really low.

Tip: Since kayaking is a really popular activity, it's hard to avoid the crowds. Choose an itinerary that goes to the other less-touristy bays (Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay) if you want fewer people in the water with you!

Known for having a fantastic view of Halong, Titov is very popular amongst tourists. To get to the view above, you would have to take about 400 steps. They are quite steep, so you should have good stamina before deciding to climb up. The island also has a beach where jellyfish are common residents. Even so, we saw quite a number of people swimming happily, so it’s up to you!

Tip: This is one of the most crowded places in Halong Bay, so if you want to avoid it, you can take a cruise that goes to Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, or look for an itinerary that has hiking on Cat Ba Island instead.

Also commonly known as Surprising Cave, Sung Sot Cave is the biggest and most famous cave in Halong Bay at 10,000m2. Here, you’ll be surrounded by age-old stalactites and stalagmites of various sizes and shapes. With some help from your guide, you’ll be able to make up some rocks shaped like a dragon, lion, and even King Kong! The pathways and stairs here are well-lit, though they may be quite steep in some of the deeper chambers. Because of its popularity, it can get very crowded, so you should probably give this a miss if you’re claustrophobic.

Tip: Some itineraries opt for smaller caves which give you a quieter and more intimate experience in exploring these ancient sites.

The charming floating fishing villages of Halong bay will transport you back in time. The locals have lived there for generations, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how different life on water is, and the rich relationship that the villages have with the bay. You can explore the area by kayaking on your own, or sit in a bamboo boat where one of the locals will paddle your group around. Do note that you should expect to give some tips if you choose the bamboo boat.

Tip: If you’re stuck on which fishing village to visit, most of the fishing villages are quite similar, so don’t worry too much about that.

At Halong Bay’s only Pearl Farm, you’ll get to learn the full process about how Vietnamese pearls are harvested and made. You should probably bring your wallet if you’re looking to purchase a nice souvenir from the shops there as the prices are still quite high despite it being a ‘farm’.

Tip: This is very touristy, and there might be some hard-selling from the salespeople there so be warned and have strong willpower! If you want to avoid it, go on the Lan Ha Bay route instead.

Visiting Cat Ba island is one the more adventurous and off-grid thing to do on a Halong Bay cruise, and only some of the cruises will offer this. Known as Halong Bay’s hidden gem, Cat Ba is the largest island on Halong Bay and has been growing in popularity recently. Despite this, it is still relatively unknown compared to Halong Bay and far less-touristy.

Here you can do lots of fun outdoorsy activities from hiking in Cat Ba National Park to cycling around the local villages. It's a lot more laid-back and rugged compared to other stops on a usual Halong cruise.

Most cruises will offer a cooking demonstration onboard in the afternoons. This isn't a cooking class but more of a chef showing you how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls and how to carve different kinds of vegetables and fruits.

This is exactly how it sounds, where you’ll be able to overlook the sunset, nibble on some desserts, fresh fruits and juices to recharge your energy. Don’t worry, it’s not exactly a crazy party, but simply a round up for your trip where you can rest with a great sunset view on the way back to the port.

What makes Squid Fishing so different from normal fishing? Squid fishing is best done at night, on an especially dark night without moonlight. Without the moon, the squids will most likely be attracted to the fishing lights and not be distracted by the moonlight!

This is an fun activity where you’ll have the excitement of catching your own squid (maybe cook them?!), and also be able to view Halong Bay’s beauty during night time where it is less misty.

With around 250 million practitioners around the globe, tai chi is one of the world’s most popular physical activities but many people may not have tried it. Most of the cruises will offer tai chi sessions in the morning, where you can recharge your mind and body in the most gorgeous natural surrounds. The slow, flowing movements of tai chi definitely complements the peace and tranquility of the bay!