Best viewpoints in Halong Bay: 5 incredible views

With its blue-green water and thousands of dramatic limestone karsts, Halong Bay is unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was also voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The bay attracts millions of visitors, so some areas can become quite busy. This was something we had to get used to after visiting the much quieter region of Ninh Binh. Fortunately, Halong Bay covers a huge area, and there are several ways to escape the busiest places and enjoy its incredible scenery. These were our five favourite ways to find the best views of Halong Bay.

Explore Halong Bay by scooter

The first thing we did was rent a scooter so that we could explore the area at our own pace. Having our own transport meant we could come and go whenever we wanted. During our scooter rides, we discovered several beautiful spots along the road where we could enjoy views of the bay without many other people around us. The viewpoints we found this way were not necessarily famous attractions, but that was part of their charm. Sometimes, simply following the coastal roads and stopping when you see a beautiful view is one of the best ways to experience Halong Bay.

Take a cruise through Halong Bay

One of the most popular things to do in Halong Bay is book an overnight cruise. You can spend just one night on board, although cruises lasting two nights or longer are also available. We chose a two-night cruise. For us, this was enough time to visit several beautiful places without feeling as though we were spending too long on the boat.

Although it is called a cruise, sailing through Halong Bay is very different from going on a traditional large cruise ship. The boats are much smaller and generally accommodate only a few dozen passengers. Many boats have around 10 to 20 cabins, with options ranging from interior cabins to rooms overlooking the water. Our boat had 12 cabins, all of which had views of the bay and a private bathroom. There was also a restaurant, a bar and a sun deck where we could relax and admire the scenery.

Almost everything was included in our booking. We received breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Small boats also regularly approached the cruise ship, selling additional snacks and drinks. On our first evening, the crew organised a Vietnamese cooking class. On the second day, we stopped at several attractions, including a cave and Ti Top Island. We also had the opportunity to go kayaking.

A cruise is therefore a perfect way to explore Halong Bay at a relaxed pace. Just bear in mind that many boats follow similar routes, meaning popular stops can become crowded.

Visit the Ti Top island viewpoint

One of the advantages of taking a Halong Bay cruise is that many itineraries include a stop at the famous Ti Top Island. Ti Top is a small island with a staircase leading to a panoramic viewpoint. The climb can be tiring, especially in hot and humid weather, but the view from the top makes it worthwhile.

From the viewpoint, you can look out across the emerald water, limestone islands and cruise boats scattered throughout the bay. It is one of the best-known viewpoints in Halong Bay and, unsurprisingly, also one of the busiest. Try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when possible, as the steps and viewing platform can become crowded when several cruise groups arrive at once.

Admire Bai Tho Mountain

Disclaimer: the mountain is officially closed and climbing it is entirely at your own risk.

The moment I saw photographs taken from the top of Bai Tho Mountain, I knew I wanted to experience the view for myself. The mountain overlooks Ha Long City and offers one of the most dramatic panoramas of the bay.

When we visited, the official entrance had already been closed. A local directed us to Hang Noi Street. We parked our scooter there and started walking down the street. Soon, we were approached by one of the locals standing outside who asked if we wanted to climb the mountain. We had to pay a small entrance fee (converted to a few euros) and were then taken through the resident's house to the backyard. There, through a hole in the fence, we could begin our trek to the top of the mountain. The climb took us around 40 minutes and involved scrambling over steep, overgrown terrain.

Once we reached the top, we discovered that we were not the only people who had made the climb. Around eight other visitors were already there. There was very little space, but everyone politely took turns taking photographs. The view was incredible and remains one of the most memorable views we experienced in Vietnam.

However, knowing what we know now, we would not recommend following an unofficial route while access is restricted. Conditions can be unsafe, entering through private property may not be permitted and local authorities may carry out checks.

See Halong Bay from the air

One of the most exciting experiences of our trip was booking a scenic helicopter flight over Halong Bay. For us, there could hardly have been a more spectacular location for a helicopter tour. Although it was certainly not cheap—we paid around €300 for two people—it gave us an unforgettable experience and an entirely different perspective of the bay.

Our flight lasted approximately 20 minutes. We flew over the water, cruise boats and limestone mountains while the pilot told us more about the area. At the end of the flight, we were even allowed to take a few photographs from the pilot’s seat.

Seeing the karst landscape from above showed us just how vast Halong Bay really is. It was an incredible experience that we will not forget anytime soon.

How many days do you need in Halong Bay?

How long you need in Halong Bay mainly depends on whether you want to take a cruise and how many nights you plan to spend on board. When skipping an overnight cruise, two full days in Halong Bay should be enough to explore the surrounding area and visit several viewpoints. For an overnight cruise, add another one to three nights to your itinerary. You could, for example, spend one day in Ha Long City, take a scenic flight or explore the area by scooter, and then board your cruise the following day.

Combining Halong Bay with Ninh Binh and Tam Coc works perfectly as part of a Northern Vietnam itinerary. Continue planning your trip with our guide to the best things to do in Tam Coc.