Ha Long has no separate industry of couples’ packages. What it does have is scenery, a few good vantage points and some quiet water, and those are enough for a short romantic break if you plan around four options. Money is in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar. 1. A night aboard Sleeping on the bay is the most atmospheric thing you can do here, because the day boats leave and the karst towers fade into dusk.

A day in Ha Long runs on the clock. Cave sites open at 07:30, sightseeing boats must be back in port in the evening, the cable car keeps different hours on weekdays and weekends, and squid fishing only happens on overnight boats. This page orders the main activities by the time of day they work best. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar. Morning: a hot spring or an early boat Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, a Japanese style spa village in the Cam Pha district east of the city, opens its public baths for two sessions: 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.

The useful question about a day trip from Ha Long is how much of the day it eats, travel included. This page sorts the excursions that way, from a short half day to trips that are too far to attempt. Costs are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar, and distances are approximate. Half a day: the Bach Dang relic site Quang Yen is about 25 km west of Ha Long, a taxi ride of around 30 minutes.

Ha Long is not an old town to wander at random, but it has a good seafront promenade, an evening market and forest trails on Cat Ba. This page lays out the walks by when they suit the day: a morning in Hon Gai, an evening in Bai Chay and a full day on the island. One popular peak, Bai Tho mountain, is closed and is covered at the end. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar.

An overnight cruise is the main multi-day option in Ha Long, and the choices that matter most are made before you book: the month, the boat and the route. This page works through them in that order. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar, and cruise prices differ by boat, so ask each operator for a written quote that says what it includes. Pick the season first October to April gives the clearest weather.

Ha Long’s sights differ a great deal in how much they ask of you. Some are seen from a deck chair, some need a gentle stroll, and some mean a steep climb. This page sorts them by effort so you can match the list to your group. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar. Seen from the boat On route VHL1, three famous rocks are viewed from the water and not visited.

With children, most of the risk in Ha Long comes from three things: water, steps and monkeys. This page puts those first, then covers what children pay and which outings suit them. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar. Six rules before you go Fit life jackets early. Kayak and bamboo boat sessions require them for the whole time. The UK Foreign Office advises having a life jacket whenever you join a boat, so ask the crew for child sizes before the engine starts.

A Ha Long Bay tour listing is mostly a route code with a boat and a lunch attached. Once you know the code, you know the stops, the official fee and roughly how long you will be out. This page explains how to read a listing before you pay. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND), at about 26,000 to the US dollar. Start with the route code The Ha Long Bay Management Board numbers its sightseeing routes VHL1 to VHL8.