Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay: where should you visit?

Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay are both famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, known for their beautiful natural landscapes, including majestic limestone islands and clear turquoise waters. However, there are some key differences between these two bays that you should consider when making your decision about where to visit.

Ha Long Bay:
 

• Location: Located off the coast of Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.
• Area: 1553 km2.

Characteristic:

• Nearly 2,000 small islands scattered like dragons landing.
• Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site for aesthetic value (1994) and archaeological value (2000).
• Famous for its majestic landscapes, beautiful caves, and many attractive tourist activities.

Lan Ha Bay:
 

• Location: Located in the east of Cat Ba island, Hai Phong province.
• Area: 70 km2.

Characteristic:

• Nearly 400 limestone islands with many unique shapes.
• Wild, poetic beauty.
• Newly recognized as a member of the List of the most beautiful bays in the world (MBBW) in 2020.
• Fewer tourists than Ha Long Bay, suitable for tourists looking for peace.

Both Ha Long and Lan Ha bays are easily accessible from Hanoi and other locations.

Go to Ha Long Bay:

• Far from Hanoi: 130 km
• Travel time: 2.5 hours
• Vehicles: Cars, taxis, passenger cars
• Destination: Tuan Chau Marina or Ha Long International Cruise Port (SunGroup)

Go to Lan Ha Bay:

• Far from Hanoi: 130 km
• Travel time: 2 hours
• Vehicles: Cars, taxis, passenger cars
• Destination: Ben Got (Hai Phong)

Compare:

• Travel time: Lan Ha Bay is a little closer to Hanoi than Ha Long Bay, but the actual travel time is not much different.
• Means of transportation: Both bays can be moved by popular means such as cars, taxis, and buses.
• Destination: Ha Long Bay has two large marinas, while Lan Ha Bay has only one.

Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha are both blessed by nature with many caves. However, if you are adventurous, like to explore giant caves and learn about majestic formations as well as archaeological values, Ha Long Bay is definitely a better choice. Some of the most beautiful caves include Sung Sot (Sung Sot Cave) - the largest cave in Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung (Thien Cung Cave), Trinh Nu (Trinh Nu Cave), Me Cung (Me Cung Cave), etc. Visitors can step inside the cave to admire the artistic cave ceiling like ocean waves, admire the sparkling stalactites and climb to the top for a panoramic view of the bay.

 

On the other hand, the caves in Lan Ha Bay are mainly underwater caves, not as large as the caves in Ha Long but also formed millions of years ago with beautiful stalactites. Although you cannot walk through and climb to the top, you will never regret taking a kayak or sampan to explore the cave and see the beautiful view of the lagoon. The most famous cave that you should not miss is the Dark and Bright Cave.

For beach lovers, go to Ha Long Bay for larger beaches that attract more tourists and to Lan Ha Bay for small, pristine or even private beaches. If Titov and Soi Sim are the two most famous sandy beaches on Ha Long Bay, then Ba Trai Dao and Van Boi beaches are the two most beautiful beaches on Lan Ha Bay. Because Titov and Soi Sim are surrounded by many islands and have large berths, all boats, large and small, can easily enter and exit, making the beach even more crowded. However, it's definitely worth a visit thanks to its fine sand beach and amazing 360-degree views from the top of the island.

On the contrary, thanks to its close distance to the seaport and can only be accessed by boat in good weather conditions, the beaches of Lan Ha Bay have much less tourists, and are therefore more pristine and private than those of Lan Ha Bay. with Ha Long Bay. Ba Trai Dao, Van Boi beach and many other unnamed beaches on Lan Ha Bay have white sand, clear and very clean water, ideal for swimming, kayaking or simply sunbathing without disturbance. and noisy.

Not only famous for its breathtaking scenery, Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha also attract tourists by the well-preserved traditional culture of the floating village. If Ha Long Bay is famous for Cua Van fishing village - one of the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world voted by Journeyetc.com in 2012, then Lan Ha Bay will definitely impress you with Cai Beo village - one of the most beautiful ancient villages in the world. The largest and most famous floating island in Vietnam. Asia. There are several other villages you can visit on Ha Long Bay such as Ba Hang village or Tung Sau. No matter which bay you visit, you will have a realistic view of the floating life of local fishermen for decades with floating houses protected by rocky mountains, wooden fishing boats - a means of making a living, bamboo boat – main means of transportation, etc.

With the popularity of cruises on both bays, visitors can become overwhelmed by the plethora of travel options. In both bays, you can choose from day boats or overnight boats, from budget 3-star cruises to luxury 5-star cruises, boats designed in traditional or modern styles.

Ha Long Bay has nearly 500 boats and a large number of tourists come every year, while the number of boats sleeps overnight and there are only a few boats during the day.

Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are both wonderful destinations in Vietnam with amazing natural beauty. Ha Long Bay is famous for its unique limestone islands and diverse ecosystem, along with activities such as visiting caves, kayaking, diving to see coral, and enjoying fresh seafood dishes. On the contrary, Lan Ha Bay offers a peaceful, quiet space, ideal for those who want to enjoy peace and relaxation amidst pristine nature.

Here are some suggestions for you to choose from:

If you want to see essential sights and attractions:

• Ha Long Bay: Ideal choice to explore the most beautiful caves, world natural heritage, and experience many diverse tourist activities.
• Suggestion: Join a 3-day, 2-night boat tour to fully explore Ha Long Bay.
If you want to relax in the heart of peaceful nature:
• Lan Ha Bay: The perfect choice to enjoy the fresh air, swim, and relax on white sand beaches.
• Suggestion: Join a 2 day 1 night boat tour or a day boat tour to explore Lan Ha Bay.

In addition, you can also combine visiting both Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay in one trip to fully experience the beauty of this natural heritage.

Wish you have a nice trip!