Kayaking, Cable Cars and Onsen Baths at Ha Long
This page lists what to do around Ha Long by theme, starting with the most active choices and ending with the most relaxed. Money is in Vietnamese dong (VND), about 26,000 to the US dollar. Cash is useful at small stalls, while cards work at hotels and larger operators.
Paddle through a tidal arch
The best paddling in the bay is at Luon Cave, a stone archway of about 60 m on Bo Hon island that opens into a circular lagoon. Kayaks and bamboo boats go through at low to mid tide. Wild macaques live in the area. Cua Van and Trinh Nu also have paddling stops, and Ba Ham Lake needs low tide and is rarely on day routes.
Safety points:
- Life jackets stay on for the whole kayak or bamboo boat session.
- Nobody should swim inside the tunnel, because boats pass through it.
- Ask the crew about tide times before you commit.
Swim and climb at Ti Top
Ti Top island has a golden crescent beach and a viewpoint reached by about 400 steps. In summer the beach is crowded. The water is murky from boat traffic, so snorkelling is not a good idea and there is no coral. Soi Sim beach is closed, so Ti Top is the swim stop you will actually get.
Watch pearls and fish for squid
Route VHL2 passes the Tung Sau pearl lagoon, where visitors see the oyster cages and a pearl demonstration. Overnight cruises often add squid fishing after dinner with lights over the water. The best months are October to April, and the offer varies by boat.
Ride above the strait
Sun World’s Queen Cable Car links Bai Chay to Ba Deo hill over about 2.2 km. Guinness lists its 230 person cabin as the highest capacity in the world, and its 188.88 m tower as the tallest.
| Ticket | Price (VND) |
|---|---|
| Adult round trip | about 380,000 |
| Child 1 m to 1.4 m | about 280,000 |
Hours are 14:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 20:00 at the weekend. The round trip includes the Sun Wheel, a slide, a wax museum and Kidoland. The resort’s own site, sunworld.vn , carries current details, and the Guinness record page confirms the cabin record.
Soak in a Japanese onsen
Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh sits in Cam Pha, east of the city. Morning visits run 09:00 to 13:00 and afternoon visits 14:00 to 18:00. Rates depend on the package, and the resort’s own website is the place to confirm them.
Practical notes
Cave stops open 07:30 to 17:30 until 31 October and 07:30 to 17:00 from 1 November to 15 April. Storm season runs from May to November, and boats stay in port when a typhoon warning is issued.
Read more: Outdoor activities around Ha Long for more ideas outdoors.
Cruise and kayak tours are listed on Viator .