Halong tours

Things to do in Halong

Halong Bay presents itself as nature’s canvas, a tranquil retreat from the everyday with its majestic limestone islands. This isn’t just a sight to behold; it’s a narrative yearning to be uncovered. On Halong tours, your local guide brings the bay’s history to life. Sail through emerald waters, discovering hidden grottoes and floating villages steeped in stories of the past. Whether you’re on a private tour of secluded beaches or sampling seafood delicacies on a food and wine tour, your guide enriches each experience with personal insights. Skipping the line into Halong’s core, you form a personal connection with its breathtaking beauty. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Halong. Explore Halong your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Halong tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Halong for every interest, including: Nature and Wildlife tours: Kayak beneath limestone cliffs into quiet lagoons where you can see crabs scuttle over rocks and herons hunting at low tide. For a land option, trek in Cat Ba National Park to viewpoints like Ngu Lam Peak and scan for butterflies and birdlife. Boat tours: Board a private junk from Tuan Chau Harbour for a flexible route to Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island, with time to swim and climb the viewpoint. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on deck and cruise back at golden hour through the karst corridor. Off The Beaten Path tours: Explore Bai Tu Long Bay’s calmer waters, visiting Vung Vieng floating village by rowboat and drifting past pearl farms. Start early at Hon Gai’s fish market to watch the morning trade, then stop for a bowl of cháo hà (clam porridge) before the crowds arrive. Getting around: Ha Long is spread along the shoreline and there’s little useful public transit for bay sights. Your guide can arrange chauffeured tours, private car transfers, and your own boat so you spend your time on the water, not in lines. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Halong inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Take a private walking tour in Halong and explore its neighborhoods with the insight only a local guide can provide. - Bai Chay: Known for its vibrant nightlife and beach, this area is perfect for families and those looking for entertainment options. - Tuan Chau Island: Offers beautiful beaches and cultural shows, ideal for multi-generational groups seeking relaxation and entertainment. - Halong Market: Visit for a taste of local culture and fresh seafood, perfect for culinary tourists wanting to experience local flavors. Day trip ideas from Halong Base yourself in Hạ Long and use quick boat runs or a short drive to reach bays, caves, and pagodas nearby, since day trips and half-day tours let you see the best karst views without sleeping on a cruiser. - Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island: walk wide chambers filled with limestone formations, then climb the island stairs for a sweeping bay view and a simple beach swim, a classic first look at Hạ Long Bay that fits casual hikers and sightseers. - Bai Tu Long Bay: glide past quieter limestone stacks with room to kayak glassy inlets and visit a floating village, which suits photographers and nature lovers who want fewer boats and longer scenery. - Lan Ha Bay via Cát Bà: thread through jade coves and narrow arches, paddle sheltered lagoons, and spot monkeys on nearby islets, a more active circuit that appeals if you like kayaking and varied landscapes. - Vung Viêng Fishing Village: switch to a small rowboat to move between houses on stilts, learn how nets and pearl rafts work, and see daily bay life up close, ideal for culture seekers who prefer gentle time on the water. - Yên Tử Mountain: head inland to forested slopes where temples dot the ridge, ride the cable car to cool air and stone steps, then explore pagodas and viewpoints, a calm cultural counterpoint to the bay that fits light hikers and history fans. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Halong most travellers miss.