Halong Bay - a truly magical place

If we put together a shortlist of our all-time favourite landscapes, Halong Bay would definitely be in the running for the top spot. This is somewhere that really lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful locations.

Even if you couldn’t place it on a map, the chances are you’ll recognise its turquoise waters studded with emerald islets, red-sailed junk boats, and floating villages painted eye-popping shades of sapphire and cerulean. Catch it on a sunny day and it’s genuinely jaw-dropping, but even when overcast, there’s nothing quite like sitting on deck as those endless sheer-sided pinnacles loom out of the mist above you.

We prefer spending a night or two onboard a Halong cruise to day-tripping, and there’s no shortage of options. Our favourites range from cosy, wood-panelled cabins to ultra-swish private vessels complete with onboard spa facilities, but what all of them have in common is the chance to wake up in one of the world’s most beautiful places.

You’ll have to share the beautiful karst scenery with a few more fellow visitors than the first tourists did, but the majesty of this unique seascape remains undiminished. These days there are strict rules restricting boats to certain routes and activities, and its floating villages and pearl farms are undeniably tourist-centric. We recommend you opt for a route that takes you further afield to neighbouring Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay where it’s still possible to find yourself drifting through this iconic scenery without another boat in sight.