Travel tips · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
Ha Long Bay travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Taewangkorea, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Ha Long Bay has long been home to fishing communities who lived on boats and rafts among the islands, and legend says the islands were formed by dragons descending to defend the country — the name means 'descending dragon'. Today Quang Ninh is also a coal-mining province, and Ha Long city mixes resort development with a working port town.
Key facts
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- VND
- Plugs
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not drinkable; bottled water is cheap and cruises provide…
- Emergency
- 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance)
Things to know
- Greet people with a smile and a slight nod; handshakes are common between men.
- Dress modestly when visiting temples and pagodas, including the hilltop pagodas at Yen Tu.
- Ask before photographing people in fishing villages, and do not walk onto floating houses uninvited.
- Do not throw rubbish into the bay; use the bins on board, as plastic waste is a serious problem in the bay.
- Hand over money and items with both hands or your right hand as a sign of respect.
- Book Overnight bay cruise ahead: Book a few weeks ahead for weekends, Vietnamese holidays and July–August; check the cancellation policy for weather.
- Weekday departures and the months of November, December and March often have lower cruise prices than weekends and summer.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled tip of around 5–10% of the cruise price for good service. Small tips for guides and boat rowers are appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Xin chào | Hello |
| Cảm ơn | Thank you |
| Bao nhiêu tiền? | How much is it? |
| Không cay | Not spicy |
| Một, hai, ba, dzô! | One, two, three, cheers! |
What to wear
Bring non-slip shoes for wet cave steps and boat decks, a light jacket for winter evenings on deck, and swimwear for kayaking and beaches.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is not drinkable; bottled water is cheap and cruises provide drinking water on board.
- Emergency number
- 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in Ha Long city and on Cat Ba but patchy among the islands; Wi-Fi on cruise boats is often slow.
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho Chi Minh
Sailings can be suspended at short notice during storms; follow crew instructions, wear a life jacket when kayaking and on small boats, and avoid unlicensed operators. On Cat Ba, monkeys at Monkey Island can bite and snatch belongings.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Vietnam's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Ha Long Bay?
Tipping is not traditional but is common on cruises, where crews often receive a pooled tip of around 5–10% of the cruise price for good service. Small tips for guides and boat rowers are appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Ha Long Bay?
Tap water is not drinkable; bottled water is cheap and cruises provide drinking water on board.
+What plugs are used in Ha Long Bay?
Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Ha Long Bay?
Vietnamese.