Following the merger, many of the old wards of Ha Long City were transformed into new wards such as Ha Long, Tuan Chau, Viet Hung, and Bai Chay. This area boasts not only stunning bays but also a plethora of captivating entertainment options and a diverse culinary scene.
If you only have one day in Ha Long, you can choose to visit a few suggested tourist spots below, which are not too far from the city center and offer plenty of great photo opportunities.
Quang Ninh Museum and Library (Tran Quoc Nghien Street, Tuan Chau Ward): The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 5 PM. Admission fees are VND 30,000 for adults, VND 20,000 for students, and VND 10,000 for children under 6 years old.
Image: Quang Ninh Museum
3D Funny Art Museum (Bai Chay Ward): Located in the Marine Plaza shopping center, this 3D art museum is a popular attraction featuring over 40 paintings with themes ranging from animals to adventure and fantasy. It’s open from 9 AM to 10 PM, and tickets cost VND 80,000 each.
Tuan Chau Park (Tuan Chau Island, Tuan Chau Ward): This exciting destination offers a range of thrilling rides and activities, including a fairy tale train, slides, a roller coaster, flying saucers, and a bungee swing. The park is open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. Entrance fees are VND 350,000 for adults, and children under 1 meter enter for free. Additional tickets are required for the dolphin show or musical fountain, priced at VND 100,000 for adults and VND 60,000 for children.
Ha Long boasts cafes with stunning views of the bay.
Alternatively, you can opt for a beach day or explore the islands on a tour. These tours typically last half a day and take you to various destinations within Ha Long Bay, such as Fighting Cock Island, Dinh Huong Island, Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, and Ti Top Island.
For those seeking the perfect Instagram shot, Ha Long also offers cafes with breathtaking views and unique designs. Some popular choices include La Luna Coffee Ha Long, Hai Dang Coffee, Thong Zeo, Cam Cafe, and Ha Long Sun World Ha Long Sun World Ha Long Sun Wheel.
What to Eat in One Day in Ha Long?
Ha Long’s cuisine is renowned for its diverse seafood offerings, including cù kỳ (a type of sea slug), be be (shrimp), sá sùng (a sea worm), ngán (a type of clam), and various fish, crab, and squid dishes.
While Ha Long is considered a relatively expensive destination, there are plenty of local eateries where you can indulge in delicious seafood at reasonable prices.
Cù kỳ Noodle Soup: This popular local dish can be enjoyed any time of day. Besides cù kỳ, the noodle soup often includes other seafood like be be and squid, served in a mildly sour and sweet broth made with pineapple and tomato. You can find this dish at places like Bún Cù Kỳ Hường Béo, Bún Hải Sản Khách Sạn Công Đoàn, Bún Cù Kỳ Minh Béo, and Bún Cù Kỳ Quốc Huy.
A typical bowl of cù kỳ noodle soup in Ha Long costs around VND 50,000.
Bánh Cuốn Chả Mực (Rice Noodle Rolls with Squid Sausage): This dish is a favorite among both locals and tourists and can be enjoyed at any time of day. Try it at places like Mrs. Ngân’s, Mrs. Yến’s, Gốc Bàng, or the local market during the day. A serving typically costs between VND 40,000 and VND 60,000, depending on the portion size.
Sam: In Ha Long, sam is prepared in various delicious ways, including sweet and sour stir-fries, sausages, and egg dishes. It’s a pricey ingredient, so it’s not always available. You can try sam dishes at Mrs. Tỵ’s or Sam Quảng Yên, or head to the Ha Long 1 market in the afternoon for sam sour and sweet dishes or sam sausages.
However, sam is considered a cooling food in traditional medicine, so those with sensitive stomachs or allergies should exercise caution.
A bowl of sam sour and sweet, served with sam egg sausage, costs VND 60,000 at Ha Long 1 market.
Sữa Chua Trân Châu (Yogurt with Tapioca Pearls): Don’t miss out on this famous Ha Long street food! The yogurt is handmade and has a soft, smooth texture without any ice shards. It’s served with chewy tapioca pearls and typically costs only VND 15,000 to VND 25,000 per cup. Try it at places like Sữa Chua Cô Phượng or the stalls of Cô Nghi or Tuấn Liên.
The suggestions above offer a glimpse of the many exciting places to visit and delicious dishes to try in Ha Long. However, with only one day to explore, consider prioritizing 1-2 destinations and sampling 4-5 different dishes throughout the day to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.
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