If you have a chance to see the living Tu Hài (Snout Otter Clams) with your own eyes, you won’t be surprised by its strange name. An Snout Otter Clam looks like an oyster when its two shells are closed, but its shells rarely close because its long snout is always waggling between them.
Snout Otter Clam
Snout Otter Clam are a special marine species found on Van Don island in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh. It takes two to three hours to reach the clam growing area by boat fromBai Chay beach. Bai Tu Long bay has pure and clean water so the habitat is suitable for this special species. Otter snout clam meat is fragrant, delicious and rich in protein. Its price ranges from VND 200,000 – VND 500,000/kg.
Before cooking, snout otter clam shells should be removed and washed before the meat can be made into tasty dishes as follows:
Grilled Snout Otter Clams
Fry some dried onion with chicken oil until it releases a scent. Cover the otter snout clams with this oil and then grill. You can also add peanuts, coriander, pepper and chilli oil to enhance the flavour.
Raw Snout Otter Clams
After cleaning, the snout otter clam meat is kept in its shell. Before serving, squeeze on some lemon juice and add some chilli sauce or wasabi. This dish can be eaten with red caviar.
Snout otter clams can also be fried, steamed, or roasted with cheese and fresh milk. Its unique fragrance enchants both tourists and the locals in Quang Ninh, and it has become the signature dish to be served at Quang Ninh parties in recent years.
As a large and age-old fishing village in Ha Long bay, Vong Vieng attaches great historical and cultural value and has currently attracted lots of tourists.
Vong Vieng Floating Village in Halong Bay
There are 4 fishing villages in the World Heritage site: Ba Hang, Cua Van, Vong Vieng and Cap La. After disembarking the mother boat, tourists will be transferred by rowing boats, tender boats, or doing kayaking to enter Vong Vieng fishing village.
There are about 50 families in the village and the population is between 200 and 300 residents, including nearly 100 children.
These families have lived in this village for generations. Their floating houses look spacious and clean. The well-off families even have tiled roof houses with radios, television sets, tables and chairs, etc. There is one community house here where villagers come to have meetings. Here is also the place tourists stopover to shop some traditional hand made items.
Visiting the village, tourists have a chance to enjoy “Vong Vieng night” which is considered an attractive and original tourism product. In the evening, under the soft light of the moon and the oil lamps, tourists sit on woven bamboo boats, breathe fresh air, listen to duel love songs, drop flower garlands and colored lanterns for luck and see the fishermen catching marine products. Tourists get strange and unforgetable feeling after enjoying this special kind of tourism product.
In addition, the fishing village festival is held once a year during the Ha Long Tourism Week. In the festival, tourists can take part in a variety of activities will be held such as folk song singing contest, food processing competition, swimming competition, boat handling competion, etc.
If you look on Vietnam map, you will see Halong lies on the Tonkin Gulf with lots of island that made up Halong Bay. With its calm water, Halong Bay really acts as a shield that stops all the violent wave, so it’s hard to get sea sick in Halong Bay.
Only some of the routes that the junks cruise can be close to open sea that the junk was swinging up and down. But once the junk was surrounded by Halong Bay unique limestone islands, it became stable again.
Tip: When the junk gets swinging, do not walk around on boat to avoid seasick.
Where does the boat anchor at night time?
Afternoon cruise to see the hidden wonders of Halong Bay, Origin ’s captain will find a suitable place (within the allowance areas) to anchor for the night, this place is normally inside the very calm bay surrounded by the islands.
Tip: Before we drop the anchor for the night, you will probably see the sunset so get your camera ready to take these wonderful moments.
Can we sleep outside on the top deck of the boat?
Yes, it is very nice to sleep outside there on the top-deck but please check this with our tour guide or the junk’s captain if the weather is fine to sleep outside. To note that we have very fine cabins designed with comforts of everything needed for a good sleep: natural rubber mattress, blanket, feather pillows and mosquito net and we can not bring this outside for you.
Tip: That night we all stayed up drinking talking about home and watching the shooting stars from the top deck. It was a wonderful time!
Yes, you can! If you are already there in Hai Phong, you can call Originvietnam to have a car and guide pick you up from there and drive to , which should be less than 1,5 hours.
Or you can plan a trip with Origin from Hanoi to Hai Phong city, do the sightseeing, spend the night there then move onto Halong on the next morning.
Tip: There is a good road linking Hai Phong and Cat Ba island (South of Halong Bay), you could also travel via this way, then have our junk welcome you on Cat Ba port to visit Lan Ha bay and Halong Bay.
Do you have life jackets on boat?
Yes, that is one requirement for any boat/junk in Halong Bay.
Tip: If you do not see this when boarding the junk, please ask for the instruction from the crew member or our captain.
What do we have to bring with us to the boat?
Yes you do have to bring it with you on boat and please provide us your full names, gender, passport number, visa expire date before your departure to Halong Bay.
Tip: Each boat/junk has it own safety box, please do leave your valuable belongings in this safety box so that you can have more fun visiting cave, swimming…
What kind of food on boat in Halong Bay?
Most of the meals offered with seafood as Halong Bay specialty is seafood; there is lots of sea dishes combined with traditional Vietnamese food, I’m sure you will like the food on boat, if you are allergic with seafood, please inform your meal preference to our tour operator before your departure to Halong Bay.
How far is that from Hanoi to Halong Bay? HaLong Bay is located 170 km away from Hanoi, this would take you about 3 – 3.5 hours on bus transfer to Halong city, bus trip normally leaves Hanoi by 8.30 am.
We will be hitting the road for Halong Bay through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.
What do we have to bring with us to the boat?
Passport
Sun cream, insect repellent
Small changes for buying drinks on boat
Swim-suit and changes
Your own towels (though we have towels available)
Good camera with lots of films or memory space
A sense of adventures
When is the best time to visit Halong?
Summer is a good time to cruise on Halong Bay but the best time of year is during the spring or fall. Because the bay is situated in the northern part of the country, it can get colder in the fall and winter, and though you won’t see extremes such as blizzards, it’s still a lousy place to be when it gets cold.
Tip: You should bring a swim suit with you, night’s swim in the phosphorescent water is also very nice (must be before your drinks)
Is one day trip to Halong Bay worth to visit?
Halong Bay is so beautiful that one could not miss; though 3 hours drive each way is a bit long for somebody. You will get about 4 hours on Original cruise, which is just enough for you to get an overview of what is Halong. We suggest that you drive to Halong city and sleep in the hotel the night before, so you would have a longer time on the Bay, more cruise, more caves, and more swimming.
Today, you can explore Ha Long Bay from unprecedented heights by going on a helicopter tour.
Ha Long Bay is the jewel in Vietnam’s tourism crown, a stunning geological formation that captivates even the most travel weary and jaded of visitors.
Most people usually take a cruise around the bay. You can choose one or two night trips to enjoy the mesmerising scenery and discover wonderful coves and islets or simply enjoy the views from the top deck of your boat.
As a repeat visitor I wouldn’t say I’m tired of Ha Long, but I was certainly eager to discover another side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site when a friend told me about the Luxury Travel Company’s helicopter tour.
This would be a great opportunity to fly over the bay and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the limestone karst islets which, according to legend are the shards of diamond and jade, that were spat out by a family of dragons sent from heaven to help protect Vietnam from foreign invaders.
I was so excited at the prospect of climbing into a helicopter, I could hardly sleep the night before. But as the morning drew closer I started to get increasingly nervous. What if, I am scared of heights? Having never scaled any cliff faces, or jumped out of an airplane, how would I know?
Morning departure
I begin to suffer vertigo even before I arrive at Gia Lam Airport, 5km from downtown Hanoi, where I am to meet my tour guide and the helicopter crew. The flight departs at 8.30am. Still slightly anxious, I reassure myself that by flying to Halong Bay I’m at least avoiding the long, rather dangerous road from Hanoi to Hai Phong. Ha Long is normally more than a three-hour drive but via helicopter we expect to arrive in 45 minutes.
Our guide informs us that the Russian MI-17 helicopter seats 24 people and will reach an altitude of 300m. We are also in luck; the sky is clear and blue, a perfect day for flying. We set off and everyone is immediately glued to the windows and we see vast, beautiful rice fields pass below us.
The Red River looks like a long snake winding its way through a terracotta garden. Tran Van Huong, the captain, informs us that because a helicopter flies slower and lower than a jet, there is less chance that people will feel sick while taking off or landing. The helicopter is quite large and comfortable, but being a military chopper, there is no air- conditioning, just fans.
We are told we can visit the cockpit and talk with the four-member crew or, rather, shout at the crew –it is hard to make yourself heard above the throbbing engines!
The whole package
The Northern Serviced Flight Company, who operate the helicopter, also offer trips to Sapa in Lao Cai province and Dien Bien Phu, but tourists currently seem to prefer Ha Long Bay. The whole tour with Luxury Travel includes a cruise on a junk as well as a helicopter tour over the bay, plus transfer from Hanoi and back by chopper.
Ha Long Bay is certainly spectacular from the helicopter – it’s as perfect as a painting: the white sandy coves, the thick green forest, the rugged mountains and the jagged karsts jutting out of the emerald water.
I snap as many pictures as I can before the chopper lands at a heliport on General Giap Hill (named after General Vo Nguyen Giap as you might guess) Who knows when I will be 200m above Ha Long Bay again?
The chopper lands smoothly and we are back down on earth. Everyone is buzzing after the trip and I almost feel sad it’s over.
We are driven from the heliport to Bai Chay harbour, where boats and junks have gathered to meet the hundreds of tourists arriving from Hanoi. I can’t help but swagger a little smugly past the tired looking tourists clambering out of the buses and mini-vans thinking, I came by helicopter and I feel great! Coming by chopper I got to sleep in longer and had plenty of room on board.
For once, I am actually refreshed and energised as we set off to explore the caves and beaches around Ha Long. Later on we grab kayaks and paddle around, visiting floating aquaculture farms and beaches. On previous trips I was often slumped in a chair, too tired and stiff to do anything else, but today I am up for everything.
We enjoy a lavish seafood lunch on board and everyone is still in high spirits, reflecting on the amazing trip. It’s a little clichéd to say “this was unforgettable” but that’s how we felt!
After lunch the junk returns to port before we again climb on board the helicopter and set off for the capital where we arrive at 2.30pm. It’s hard to believe we still have the whole afternoon ahead of us!
Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island is a destination for trekking. We suggest the trekking in Ban Sen Island, Quan lan Island, Cat Ba Island and Titov Island (short).
Cat Ba Island National Park
One of the popular and cool things to do is a guided jungle trek in the national park of Cat Ba island. It sounds quite an innocent and safe activity, but it is not and in fact can be quite dangerous. The guides usually offer two treks, an easier one lasting a few hours and a second more difficult one lasting at least 6 hours and far more demanding than the former. If you are not experienced, go for the first. If you do not have a reasonable level of fitness, don’t go at all. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes with a good grip on the ground and clothing that does not leave any skin exposed. If possible, have a first aid box with you.
Quick Tips
Take back with you memories or photographs, not pieces of corals or stalactites, some of which are sold as souvenirs in a converted “key holder” or other artifact form. If you decide to go for the jungle trek, make sure you have a reasonably good level of fitness, a good pair of non-slippery shoes (either climbing or trainers) with a very good grip on slippery soil, and a first aid box.
Make sure you have no exposed parts of your body, as any fall on the ground will automatically result in abrasions and lacerations from the razor-sharp rocks on the ground, and I would suggest a first-aid box as well. Sample the sea food in the local restaurants in Cat Ba and don’t stick on the “all inclusive” cheap hotel meal arranged by your agent. Spend the few extra and try the superb local cuisine.
Trekking Starter Guides
Can You Handle It?
If you can walk, you can hike, but start with beginner-rated trails of a mile or less and then work your way up to longer, more difficult hikes. You can usually find a sign at the trailhead that lists the length of the route; remember, though, that the posted mileage is typically one-way, so gauge your time and effort accordingly.
The difficulty of any trek or walk depends on daily mileage, hilliness of the terrain, and altitude. Most walking trips, tailored for moderately active people, cover gentle terrain at low altitudes, and many have optional shorter routes. If you need a break, you can always skip a day and lounge around at the hotel or lodge. But on a trek, you have no choice but to make it to the day’s destination. Altitudes above 14,000 feet or vertical gains of more than 2,000 feet per day demand excellent physical fitness. Most outfitters can assess your fitness level. If in doubt, be conservative, especially when it comes to the dizziness and shortness of breath associated with high altitudes.
Essential Skills
Skills needed for hiking apply to any outdoor sport. A course in basic first aid wouldn’t hurt, but at least know how to bandage a wound, apply moleskin, and detect the signs of dehydration, heatstroke, and hypothermia. Learn how to read clouds; knowing a nimbus from a cumulus can be the difference between a waterlogged hike and a merely cloudy one.
Gear Up
Everyone needs a day pack; choose one with multiple pockets, padded shoulder straps, and large zipper closure. And make sure it’s the right size: When properly adjusted, the base should sit on your hips and the top should be at least one hand-width below the base of your neck. Footwear designed specifically for hiking offers better support and traction. Choose a pair that’s a half-size larger than your street shoes to allow for some swelling as you walk and to accommodate heavier hiking socks. Wear thick wool or synthetic blend socks designed to wick moisture away from the feet, as wet feet is the primary cause of blisters. Some things to keep in your day pack: first-aid kit; water bottle; Swiss Army knife; topographic map; compass; space blanket; and sweater.
Speak the Language
Hot spot: That little tingle of friction you feel on your foot before you get a blister. Don’t ignore the feeling: Take off your boot and wrap your foot in moleskin before that tingling evolves into a full-fledged blister.
Loop trail: A trail that starts at point A and circles back to the same point without repeating any section of the trail.
Scree slope: A challenging slope of loose rock and shale.
Saddle: A trail stretched over the lowest point between two peaks, resembling a saddle.
Aiming off: Intentionally erring about 5 degrees off-course when using a compass bearing and heading toward your target destination. The benefit of aiming off is you’ll know exactly which way to turn to get to your destination when you reach the baseline.
There is no better way to enjoy Vietnam than getting high over the emerald waters rock climbing in Halong Bay. Rock climbing in Vietnam is now the most unique and exciting way to make your trip to Ha Long Bay most memorable. You don’t need to be an athlete or adrenaline junky to enjoy rock climbing in Halong. If you are new to rock climbing or adventure activities in the Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay area, many levels of rock climbing tours are available to choose from.
Road
Hanoi – Hai Duong – Ha Long: 170 km
This is the most convenient route (without passing by ferry):
- Hanoi – Hai Duong City: 55 km
- Hai Duong – Sao Do Town: 25 km
- Sao Do Town – Dong Trieu Town: 20 km
- Dong Trieu Town – Uong Bi: 30 km
- Uong Bi – Ha Long City: 40 km
Hanoi – Hai Duong – Hai Phong – Quang Yen – Ha Long: 163 km
This road passes from Hai Phong to Ha Long City. This route crosses two ferries: the Binh Ferry in Hai Phong and Rung Ferry in Quang Yen.
- Hanoi – Hai Duong: 55 km
- Hai Duong – Hai Phong: 48 km – Hai Phong – Quang Yen: 20 km
- Quang Yen – Ha Long City: 40 km
Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Ha Long: 155 km
This is the shortest land route from Hanoi to Ha Long.
This route has just been upgraded. It is very convenient for transportation.
- Hanoi – Bac Ninh: 30 km
- Bac Ninh – Pha Lai: 25 km
- Pha Lai – Dong Trieu: 30 km
- Dong Trieu – Uong Bi: 30 km
- Uông Bí – Ha Long City: 40 km
Móng Cái – Ha Long: 180 km
From Móng Cái go along National Highway No.4B via Hai Hà, Đâm Hà then take National Highway No.18B through Cửa Ông, Cam Pha, Hon Gai to Bai Chay.
Bus
In Bai Chay (Ha Long):
Bai Chay Bus Station (Tel: (84-33) 846 416) is close to the Bai Chay Post Office. Buses leave from Bai Chay daily for Hai Phong, Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and other provinces.
Air-con minibuses depart daily from Bai Chay Station to Kim Ma (every 15 minutes) and Dong Trieu (every 20 minutes).
In Hanoi
Minibuses daily depart from Kim Ma Bus Station (Tel: (84-4) 845 2846) to Bai Chay (every 15 minutes).
It takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, and costs 35,000 VND.
Ha Long Bay (also “Halong Bay”) is in northern Vietnam, 170 km east of Hanoi. The bay is famous for its scenic rock formations.
If you thought the hideout in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” was spectacular, imagine a place where there are 3,000 such limestone islands clustered together in the East Sea of Halong Bay. Paddle through caves into secret lagoons, drift down channels surrounded by cliffs and forest and sail out into the open sea. Relax on the deck of our luxurious double-sailed junk and look forward to seafood bought straight from passing fishing craft. Swim alone amongst the limestone islets under the stars and take a breather at a floating village hidden amongst the islands. Our fiber glass sea kayaks make for satisfying travel, whether you are an Olympic champion or first time enthusiast.
Getting there
The best way to get to Ha Long Bay is to rent a car from Hanoi. It costs approximately US$100-US$120 return. There is also a tourist open bus service offered by travel agencies around the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Cost is around US$8 net/person/way.
Public buses leave from Long Bien Station to the Bai Chay Station (other side of Red River, 5km from Hoan Kiem Lake) every 30 minutes from 6AM to 6PM and cost 50,000 dong/person each way. This is not recommended for foreign travelers, as these buses are often crowded, slow and unsafe.
The popular trail (starting from Hanoi)
Day 1: You leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am with a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City you will board a Chinese-style wooden boat (locals call it “Junk”) for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to one cave. After a short exploration of the cave you start the kayak exploration of the bay, paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets, passing a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnel to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. End of the first with dinner and overnight in AC, private junk’s cabin.
Day 2: This kayaking day starts from Van Chai Floating village and then continue paddling to Dark Cave. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. You can also explore some other caves nearby. After lunch you paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Then continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong Bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches.
Day 3: Breakfast is served on the junk and you will enjoy the sundeck while the Junk navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before heading back to Hanoi by bus.
When to kayak
You can do kayaking on the bay all year around but great time is between October and June. A typical kayaking day starts at about 8.00 am after breakfast. Lunch will be served on support boat. At the end of a kayaking day, we would return to the junk by 5 pm or 5.30 pm.
Travel gears
Hard-cell, tandem kayak, paddle, life-jacket and dry bag are available on this tour. We recommend you to bring some extra gears such as Sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, rain coat. The kayak tour with well-trained and experienced tour guide is always recommended for a best exploration.
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