We also had the chance to visit Halong Bay, a stunning natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was about a 3-hour drive from Hanoi.
Our day started early—we were picked up around 8 AM and made a short stop at a pearl farm along the way. There, we learned how pearls are cultivated from oysters, which was surprisingly fascinating.
From the pearl farm, we headed to the harbor and boarded our Halong Bay cruise. The boat was mid-sized—neither too big nor too small—and very comfortable. They served a delicious Vietnamese-style seafood buffet that was both healthy and refreshing.
Our first stop was Titop Island, where we got to burn off our lunch with a short hike up to the top for a panoramic, bird's-eye view of Halong Bay. We were blessed with sunny weather, so the visibility was crystal clear, and we could fully appreciate the dramatic landscape of limestone karsts and emerald waters.
Next, we went kayaking for about an hour through one of the lagoons, passing under a water tunnel. While the scenery wasn’t quite as breathtaking as Langkawi, it was still a peaceful and enjoyable experience on the water.
Our final stop was the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave)—a vast cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites formed over millions of years. Nature never ceases to amaze!
As the day came to a close, we relaxed on the upper deck with cocktails and watched the sunset over Halong Bay—a truly serene and unforgettable moment.
We returned to Hanoi around 8:30 PM and capped off the day with a late dinner of Cha Ca La Vong—a traditional Hanoi dish of turmeric-marinated fish stir-fried with herbs and served with rice noodles and loads of fresh vegetables. Another must-try Vietnamese classic!
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