Halong Bay

Halong city is the starting point to undertake a boat trip through the Halong Bay.
The city itself is small and is divided in two by a bay. The western part is called Bai Chay and the eastern part Hong Gai. Both are connected to each other by a ferry-service. Bai Chay is the most touristic developed part and has two beaches called N°1 and N°2.

The bay with it's 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam. The islands are covered with vegetation which is spread out over an area of 1500 sq km, and are dotted with beaches and grottoes. This area is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Cat Ba island is one of the largest in Halong Bay. A large part of the island is preserved as a national park with forests, swamps, lakes, caves and coral reefs.
Cat Ba is the main village on the island with a small harbor and a promenade with hotels, restaurants and karaoke bars. People here earn their living from fishing and tourism.

Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples. Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.

Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check what people are wearing around you.

Leaving chopsticks sticking upright (vertically) in a rice bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.

Vietnam's weather is tropical in the south and monsoonal in north with a hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and a warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March).