Top 6 things to do in Halong bay

Halong Bay Visiting Floating Villages
Floating villages are unique feature about culture and seascape on Halong Bay that draw the attraction of visitors. Visiting floating villages, tourists will have time interacting with friendly fishermen and visiting floating pearl farms. The local villagers are the original inhabitants of Halong Bay who have lived on the sea for several generations. They were created a diverse culture of fishing and living. In the peaceful atmosphere of fishing village, tourists will be welcomed with fresh seafood and folksong performance (in Vietnamese: “hat gheo” or “hat cheo duong”). Halong bay cruise

Discover Halong Bay Caves
Halong was honored twice with the title “World Natural Heritage Site” by the UNESCO as its value of geology, geomorphology. Therefore, visitors once coming to Halong Bay shouldn’t miss the chance to explore grotto system there (including Sung Sot Cave - Surprise Cave, Dau Go Cave - Wooden Stakes Cave, Thien Cung Cave, etc.). Magnificent masterpieces of the Creator will definitely dazzle all visitors by the magical world of stalactites and stalagmites in various sizes and shapes. Tourists are also have chance to dine in a cave and experience an exotic feeling of dining in spacious and romantic ambiance inside.

Discover Halong Bay Cruise
Halong Bay was listed as one of Asia's top five tropical island paradises in an article published on CNN in April 2012. “Halong Bay in northwestern Vietnam is one of the most stunning boating destinations anywhere in the world”, wrote the author. By cruising, tourists can fully enjoy “the mysterious limestone caves on Halong Bay's bigger islands and the incredible sunsets”, which are two sights not to be missed according to the advice of Mr. Stuart McDonald. Moreover, there are several relaxing services provided on the cruises including restaurant & bar, massage, cooking class, tai chi class, etc. Best cruise Mekong

Cycling in Halong Bay
In order to deeply enjoy quiet atmosphere and scenic setting on the beach, cycling and trekking will be a good suggestion for the trip on Halong Bay. When trekking on the beach, tourists will be free to enjoy cozy white sandy ground and gaze stunning seascape of Halong. Cycling and trekking is also an ideal way to explore wild nature of the area around. These activities can be perfectly accommodated with a BBQ meal on the beach. North Vietnam tours

Halong Bay Kayak
Halong Bay is considered as one of the most ideal place for kayaking in the world. Kayaking service is available with many imported kayaks. Joining guided kayaking on Halong Bay; tourists will reach pristine islands and discover untouched lagoons when the tide rises in the late afternoon. Tourists will have a closer insight into the bay’s diverse nature with wild animals and mangroves.

Halong Bay Kayak

Halong Bay Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is most favored by tourists who like energetic activities. Seaside lime-stone mountains are interesting challenges for tourists to reach the top. All professional climbers coming to Halong agree that Halong Bay is the paradise of adventurous mountain climbing as it has thousands of islands with high lime-stone mountains. This activity is usually combined with kayaking to explore natural environment of Halong Bay.

Top 5 Things to Do in Saigon

Before you set off for what could be one of your most memorable travelling experience to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), do your homework reading City Pass’s Top 5 things to do in Saigon. Some further recommended readings for you are "Best time to visit Vietnam" and How to cross the street

1. PANORAMIC VIEW FROM SKYSCRAPERS

Panorama view from Chill Sky bar SaigonPanoramic view of the city? Look no further than Saigon Sky Deck on the 49th floor of the Iconic Bitexco Financial Tower and Chill Sky Bar on 27th floor Rooftop of AB Tower

At a fee of USD10 per person, you will get a pass to Saigon Sky Deck, located on the 49th floor and enjoy the superb view of Saigon below. There are telescopes for your pleasure. If a good cocktail is what you are after, go unwind with a drink in the skyscraper’s lounge on the 52nd floor. AMALOTUS CRUISE

Local Insight: The opening hour on weekday is different from weekend so make sure you check them before going there.

Chill Sky Bar is an enviable location for travellers looking to get above the street-level deluge of motorbikes and honking trucks. Spectacular views, sophisticated design, stellar service and excellent food are this rooftop bar’s cornerstones. Mekong & Phu Quoc island (5 days, 4 nights)

Local insight: Weekday’ happy hour lasts till 8:30pm, all drinks are half price.

Top 5 Things to Do in Saigon

2. CHILLING IN A COFFEE SHOP

Coffee is second only to rice in value of agricultural products exported from Vietnam. Coffee has became an important part of a Vietnamese everyday life. It is easy to catch a sight of people enjoying coffee at any time during the day. Saigon has different types of coffee shops to meet different demands: watching movies, listening to music, reading magazines, watching street-life, or, oddly enough, even coffee places for couples, cat lovers and Japanese maid theme. White Dolphin Cruise Halong bay

Local insight: Vietnamese coffee is almost exclusively Robusta. Robusta strains contain about 40–50% more caffeine than Arabica.

For local style, head to Trinh-Coffee where some of the most popular songs by Trinh Cong Son, a talented music composer, are performed.

Suggested coffee shops to experience


3. HEAVEN OF STREET-FOOD

Phở is a must-try whether you like it or not. If you don’t try phở, then you’ve never been to Vietnam. Don’t try street-stall food until your stomach has become acclimatized! Some of our recommendations: Phở Pasteur, Phở Hòa, Phở 24h, Phở 2000, Phở Hùng and Phở 5 sao. It’s best if you have local friends to take you to stalls that serve for the local, not the tourists for the genuine experience of Phở of Vietnam. Check out Top 5 must eat dishes in Saigon and Top 5 che to round off your Saigon’s street food tour.

Local insight: Take your time to try some other traditional foods, such as Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) and Cơm Tấm (broken rice) among others.

4. LIVE MUSIC EVERY SINGLE DAY

Acoutic barHCMC is home to hundreds of bands and DJs. You can enjoy live music from over 20 bars and cafés in the center of HCMC.

5. COOK IT YOURSELF

Making Vietnamese food is not a “Mission Impossible”. All you need is a passionate and ready-to-make-mistakes attitude. You can start first with your Vietnamese friends and make easy ready-to-eat pieces. So you will feel like a ‘master’ the next time you go eating out and do your own wrapping roll.

Local insight: Try the excellent cooking classes offered by Hoa Tuc Restaurant and Vietnam Cookery Center

Further activities you can join are listed in our HCMC activities articles. Our last tip is, you can get VAT refunds in Vietnam at some shops, so do not mind asking the cashiers or the owner about that.

Feel free to share your stories on our website and Facebook. Enjoy your trip with City Pass Guides and discover the city on your own.