Ha Long City Guide 2026: Things to Do Beyond the Bay

Ha Long City (Hạ Long) is the coastal gateway to Halong Bay in Quang Ninh province, about 2–2.5 hours from Hanoi. Split by the Cua Luc strait into Bai Chay, the tourist side with Sun World and the cruise port, and Hon Gai, the local side with markets and the Quang Ninh Museum, it is worth half a day to a day before or after your cruise.

Status (checked October 2026): open and busy as normal. Since 1 July 2025, when Vietnam abolished district-level government, the former city has been administered as wards of Quang Ninh province (such as Bai Chay, Hong Gai, Ha Long and Tuan Chau), but “Ha Long” remains the name everyone uses for the destination. Bay cruises from its ports are suspended only when storm warnings are issued.

Why Ha Long City is worth seeing:

Sun World Ha Long: the Queen Cable Car across the bay and the Sun Wheel on Ba Deo hill.
Quang Ninh Museum: a striking black-glass building telling the story of the bay, the coal region and the Bach Dang battles.
Bai Chay Bridge: a cable-stayed bridge with a 435 m main span over the Cua Luc strait.
Local life in Hon Gai: seafood markets, Long Tien Pagoda and Bai Tho Mountain.
Convenient base: right next to the main cruise ports for Halong Bay.

Ha Long City at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Hạ Long (formerly Thành phố Hạ Long)
Location	Quang Ninh province, on the shore of Halong Bay; Bai Chay (west) and Hon Gai (east) linked by Bai Chay Bridge
Distance	About 160–180 km from Hanoi (2–2.5 hours by expressway); about 50 km from Van Don International Airport
Known for	Cruise ports, Sun World Ha Long, Quang Ninh Museum, seafood, Bai Chay beach
Recognition	Gateway to the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site
Administration	A city from 1993 (when Hon Gai and Bai Chay were merged) until 30 June 2025; now wards of Quang Ninh province
Opening hours	Open all year; individual attractions set their own hours
Entrance fee	Free to explore; tickets for Sun World, the museum and bay routes are separate
Time needed	Half a day to one day, ideally before or after a cruise
Best time	March–May and September–November; beach season April–September
Nearby	Halong Bay, Tuan Chau Island, Thien Cung and Dau Go caves, Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu
Find it	Google Maps · Wikipedia

Is Ha Long City Worth Visiting?

Yes, as an add-on to your Halong Bay cruise rather than a destination on its own. The bay is the star, and the city is modern and busy rather than historic. Still, a sunset ride on the Queen Cable Car, a seafood dinner in Bai Chay and an hour in the Quang Ninh Museum make a rewarding half day, and families enjoy Sun World’s parks.

Best for: families, travellers who arrive the evening before a cruise, and anyone combining the bay with Yen Tu or Van Don.
Skip if: you are on a tight schedule; an overnight cruise gives you more of the bay than a night in town.
Short on time: ride the cable car at sunset, then eat seafood in Bai Chay.

History of Ha Long City

Hon Gai grew up as a coal-mining port under French rule, and coal is still mined in the hills of Quang Ninh. In 1993 Hon Gai and Bai Chay were merged to form Ha Long City, long the capital of Quang Ninh province. The Bai Chay Bridge, opened in December 2006, replaced the ferry that had carried traffic across the Cua Luc strait. Tourism boomed after Halong Bay was listed by UNESCO in 1994, and in 2025 the city level of government was abolished, leaving a group of wards under the province. Read more on Wikipedia.

What to See in Ha Long City

1. Queen Cable Car and Sun Wheel

The Queen Cable Car at Sun World Ha Long opened in 2016 and set two Guinness World Records: the tallest cable car tower (188.88 m) and the largest cable car cabin (230 passengers). It crosses the bay from Bai Chay to Ba Deo hill, home to the Sun Wheel, one of the world’s tallest observation wheels at about 215 m above sea level. Go at sunset for views over the bay and Bai Chay Bridge.

2. Sun World parks

The complex includes Dragon Park with rides and roller coasters, Typhoon Water Park (mainly in summer) and the Mystic Mountain gardens. Opening days vary by season, so check before you go.

3. Quang Ninh Museum

Opened in 2013 and designed by Spanish architect Salvador Pérez Arroyo, the museum has a black, mirror-like façade inspired by coal. Inside are galleries on Halong Bay’s geology and wildlife, prehistoric cultures, the Bach Dang battles and the mining industry.

Black mirrored facade of the Quang Ninh Museum in Ha Long City — The striking Quang Ninh Museum covers the history, culture and nature of the province. Photo: Hoangkid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. Bai Chay Bridge

The cable-stayed bridge is 1,106 m long with a 435 m main span, linking Bai Chay with Hon Gai. It is lit up at night and is one of the city’s landmarks.

5. Long Tien Pagoda and Bai Tho Mountain

Long Tien Pagoda, built in 1941, is Hon Gai’s best-known Buddhist temple and busy during festivals. Behind it rises Bai Tho Mountain (“Poem Mountain”), named after a poem carved into the cliff by King Le Thanh Tong in 1468; admire it from below unless you have checked locally that the path is open.

6. Ha Long 1 Market

The market in Hon Gai sells fresh and dried seafood, Ha Long squid cakes (chả mực) and souvenirs. See our Halong food guide for what to try.

7. Bai Chay beach and seafront

A man-made sandy beach along the Bai Chay seafront, best for swimming from April to September. In the evening the promenade fills with seafood restaurants, night stalls and street performers.

8. Tuan Chau Island

Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Tuan Chau has resorts, a beach and one of the main cruise ports for Halong Bay.

9. Thien Cung and Dau Go caves

The closest caves to the city, on route VHL1, about 3 km from Tuan Chau. See Thien Cung Cave and Dau Go Cave.

Tickets and Opening Hours in Ha Long City

Attraction	Ticket	Notes
Seafront, bridge, markets, pagoda	Free	Open all day
Queen Cable Car and Sun Wheel	Paid (combo tickets available)	Hours and prices change by season; check Sun World before you go
Quang Ninh Museum	Small entrance fee	Usually open daytime; check locally for closing days
Halong Bay cruises	Route fee 200,000–250,000 VND per adult	From Tuan Chau or Ha Long International Passenger Port

Bay route fees are set by Quang Ninh Province and published by the Ha Long Bay Management Board.

How to Spend a Day in Ha Long City, Step by Step

Morning: visit the Quang Ninh Museum and Long Tien Pagoda in Hon Gai.
Late morning: browse Ha Long 1 Market and try squid cakes for lunch.
Afternoon: cross Bai Chay Bridge and relax on Bai Chay beach or at Sun World’s parks.
Sunset: ride the Queen Cable Car and Sun Wheel.
Evening: seafood dinner and a stroll along the Bai Chay seafront.

How to Get to Ha Long City

From	How	Time
Hanoi	Limousine van, bus, private car or cruise shuttle	About 2–2.5 hours
Noi Bai Airport	Private car or limousine	About 2.5–3 hours
Van Don Airport	Taxi via the Ha Long – Van Don expressway	About 50–60 minutes
Hai Phong / Cat Ba	Car or bus by expressway; from Cat Ba by boat and road	About 1–3 hours

Prices and options are in our Hanoi to Halong Bay transport guide. In town, taxis and ride-hailing apps are available.

Best Time to Visit Ha Long City

When	What to expect
March – May	Warm and pleasant, good for sightseeing; Carnaval Ha Long around 30 April – 1 May
June – August	Hot beach season, busy with Vietnamese families; storms possible
September – November	Comfortable weather and quieter streets
December – February	Cool and misty; some water parks closed
Time of day	Sunset for the cable car; evenings for the seafront

Local Expert Tips for Ha Long City

These tips come from years of arranging Ha Long tours for international travellers.

Most overnight cruise passengers do not need a hotel in Ha Long; stay only if you arrive late or want time at Sun World.
Agree seafood prices per kilo before ordering.
Check the last cable car time before heading up at sunset.
Avoid summer weekends and public holidays if you dislike crowds.
Read our Halong Bay travel tips and cruise guide before booking.

Ha Long City vs Cat Ba Town

Feature	Ha Long City	Cat Ba Town
Best for	Cruise departures, Sun World, city comforts	Lan Ha Bay, hiking, a laid-back island feel
From Hanoi	2–2.5 hours by road	About 2.5–3.5 hours by road and boat
Nature	Bay views from the seafront and cable car	Cat Ba National Park and beaches on the doorstep
Atmosphere	Modern, busy	Smaller, backpacker-friendly

Our view: base yourself in Ha Long if your cruise leaves from Tuan Chau or Bai Chay; choose Cat Ba Island if you want to explore Lan Ha Bay independently.

Nearby Attractions

Halong Bay: the UNESCO seascape on the doorstep.
Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island: highlights of route VHL2.
Cua Van Fishing Village: route VHL3.
Bai Tu Long Bay and Quan Lan Island: via Van Don.
Lan Ha Bay: the quieter bay near Cat Ba.

Northern Vietnam for First-Time Visitors: Where Ha Long City Fits

Arriving late from Hanoi? Spend the evening in Ha Long City, ride the cable car and board your cruise the next morning. Afterwards, return to Hanoi or continue to Ninh Binh.

Plan your trip with our Halong Bay travel guide and Halong Bay tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ha Long City

1. Is Ha Long City worth visiting?

Yes, for half a day or an evening around your cruise: the Queen Cable Car, the Quang Ninh Museum and seafood in Bai Chay are the highlights of Ha Long City.

2. Is Ha Long still a city after 2025?

No longer administratively: since 1 July 2025 the former Ha Long City is divided into wards of Quang Ninh province, but “Ha Long” is still the destination name.