4 incredible ways to experience the beauty of Vietnam's Halong Bay

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it’s hard to take a bad photo of Vietnam’s Halong Bay. Located approximately four hours from Hanoi, this is one place that needs to be on your bucket list.

See also:

• 10 tips for travelling in Vietnam like a boss
• 10 epic photo spots in Vietnam that will get you all the Instagram likes
• 9 tips to planning a painless (and perfect) trip through Asia

Here are four of the best ways to experience this gorgeous Vietnamese paradise.

Hike

Halong Bay consists of 1,969 islands and islets (the cutest possible name for baby islands). While many of them are inaccessible to tourists, there are some that offer fabulous views of the bay.

One of the most popular hikes is on Ti Top Island. A 20-30 minute walk up some (very steep) stairs will take you to two gorgeous viewpoints, each offering Insta-worthy views.

For a mainland mountain hike, be sure to check out Bai Tho (‘Poem’) Mountain. Located right in the city of Halong, this viewpoint offers a stunning panorama of the bay. Here’s your official warning: the trail entrance can be quite hard to find!

Kayak

Now that you’ve seen the bay from above, it’s time to see the islands from sea level.

Another way to take in the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site is to drift around the turquoise waters in your very own kayak (or maybe with a partner – how else are you going to get a cute pic of yourself paddling?).

Floating around these islands, you’ll feel like you’re in another world.

Cruise

Make the most of your time in Halong Bay by opting for a cruise – it’s the most efficient & luxurious way to see the area!

There are a lot of options to choose from, including day trips and multi-day cruises; just make sure the itinerary aligns with your interests.

Relax on the sundeck, with a 360-degree view of the bay. Enjoy a drink (or two), and snack on local seafood. And don’t hesitate to ask your cruise director for more information on the history of the islands – they’re all very knowledgeable!

Seaplane

There’s no better view of Halong Bay than the one you’ll get from the air!

Hai Au Aviation offers the only seaplane experience in Halong Bay. Sit back and relax (with your camera poised!) as you take off on a 25-minute scenic flight over the islands.

You can even combine the best of all four of these view opportunities with a Cruise + Seaplane tour package, with the option to fly directly to and from Hanoi on the seaplane.

If you like the looks of this vacation must-see, don’t stop here; we’ve got more options for your trip to Vietnam.

Check out our list of activities to do in Hanoi, as well as the most Instagrammable spots in Vietnam (because you’ll need a cute pic to prove how well-travelled you are!). Share your travel snaps with us using #dailyhivemapped.

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Disclaimer: Travel, accommodation, and meals were provided by TMG Hospitality. All views and opinions are those of the author.