A unique area of astounding natural beauty, Halong Bay sits in the north of Vietnam and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.
Mountainous limestone karsts rise dramatically out of the tropical blue sea and teem with local wildlife including monkeys, lizards and antelope.
We recommend taking a two-night cruise around the calm waters of the bay on a traditional Chinese junk. You’ll escape the crowds and experience floating villages and local Vietnamese life.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Vietnam
Vietnam travel information
When to visit Vietnam
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- Time zone: +7 GMT
- Flight time: 15-15 hours
- Recommended airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- Tipping guideline: Tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the southern part of the country in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, and other rural areas of Vietnam. There is no risk of malaria in large cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the Red River delta, coastal areas north of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Population: 9.94977e+007
- National languages: Vietnamese
- Electricity and plugs: Type A, C, & D, 220 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage with several mobile service providers available.
- UK passport visa requirements: British passport holders can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days
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