Lan Ha Bay vs Halong Bay: Why Lan Ha Bay Outshines Halong?
Most people consider Halong Bay when going to northern Vietnam. It is iconic, dramatic, and world-famous having towering limestone islands and magical sceneries. However, just a short distance to the south lies a secret jewel that is starting to pull at the heartstrings of savvy adventurers: Lan Ha Bay. In all its beauty and similarity to Halong, Lan Ha is a completely different travel experience which, unlike Halong, is quieter, more authentic, and in many ways, more rewarding.If you have already made a choice in favor of a trip to the sights of the northeast coast of Vietnam and still have not decided where exactly you would like to start, this guide may help you compare the two and realize where exactly you should start your adventure.
Overview
Halong Bay has been the natural beauty poster child of Vietnam. It is a UNESCO World heritage site, seen a million times onscreen in movies, on postcards or in travel brochures. More than 1,600 islets made of limestone jut out of the sea and it hardly comes as a surprise that millions of tourists every year want to come here. There are cruises on a daily basis, ranging between the cheap and the luxury floating resorts.
Lan Ha Bay, in its turn, is a less touristy neighbor to the south of the Halong. Lan Ha is technically considered to be part of the same system of larger bay, however, it is in the conservation zone of Cat Ba Archipelago in Hai Phong Province. Lan Ha is simpler and more basic, with roughly 400 green islets.
Visitors usually refer to Lan Ha as what Halong Bay would have been like two decades ago, harmonious, clean, and intimate.
Scenic Beauty
Halong and Lan Ha have been described as similar at first glance because of their high karsts, clear water, and clouded skies. Nonetheless, Lan Ha wins in minor details that one yearns to experience nature at a deeper level.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is occupied by a high absent rock structure that shoots narrowly out of the ocean. The landscape is spectacular and epic. Nevertheless, there are a lot of boats that travel in the same directions and the bay may seem crowded to the point of being over-commercialized at peak seasons.
Lan Ha Bay
On the other hand, Lan Ha Bay is dotted with small islands and is often covered in thick vegetation. Water here is usually clearer, due to the lack of boats, as well as marine protection. There are hidden coves, sandy beaches and peaceful lagoons which make the atmosphere softer and more serene.
Halong Bay may be a stone and water symphony, and Lan Ha Bay is a watered-down acoustic version of the same piece, enjoyed in a smaller, more comfortable concert hall.
Cruise Experience
Overnight cruises through the bays are available in both Halong and Lan Ha, with the latter being the most enjoyable. Nevertheless, the quality and style of the cruising is different.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is full of various cruises. Others have more than 50 cabins and provide big dining rooms, karaoke rooms and buffet food. Although relaxing, some cruises are just like staying in hotels on the seas which are not intimate enough.
Lan Ha Bay
Cruises in Lan Ha Bay are usually smaller, have fewer cabins, and place more emphasis on customer service. There are companies such as Lyra Cruise which offer high-end experiences of 3 days 2 nights or 4 days 3 nights cruise so that every customer is treated like a person not a number in the room. Tour duration allows you to absorb all the hidden beaches, calm lagoons, and quietness that makes Lan Ha Bay so special.
Most Lan Ha cruises also have more detailed tours, with kayaks, visits to villages, and gourmet meals aboard, with fewer people around.
Things to Do
These bays are of the genuine appeal of not only what we see, but what we can do.
Halong Bay
- Take a hike to Titop Island.
- Visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise cave), the biggest one in the bay.
- Have short swims or sunbathe at designated beaches.
- Learn how to cook and go squid fishing at night.
Lan Ha Bay
- Kayak in Frog Lagoon, where the cliffs are towering and there is silence.
- Ride a bicycle to Viet Hai Village via Cat Ba’s national park forest.
- Swim at Three Peach Beach, where the sand is smoother and there is more solitude.
- Snorkel or use a stand-up paddleboard or even rock climb along limestone cliffs.
Why Lan Ha shines: These activities are more responsible to nature and not in a hurry and sometimes you can feel real touch with the nature and life of the country.
Access & Logistics
Halong bay is easily accessible as compared to Hanoi. Due to the new expressway, the travel time by car to Tuan Chau Pier where the majority of the cruises leave is approximately 2 – 2.5 hrs.
In Lan Ha Bay, it takes some extra effort to get there but it offers you a more exclusive experience:
- Hanoi → Got Pier (Hai Phong) (~2 hours by car)
- Then a 20-minute speedboat or ferry to Cat Ba Island
- Then transfer to Beo Pier for your cruise
Lan Ha may include extra steps to follow but numerous tourists appreciate an additional boat trip and tropical islands panorama. It comes with adventure.
Final Thoughts: Which Bay Should You Choose?
Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay are equally beautiful and can provide a memorable, unforgettable experience when cruising, but serve different types of travelers. Halong Bay can be a good option in case you want to see a world-known place, have easy access to Hanoi, and do not mind bigger crowds.
Halong Bay is ideal for:
- First-timers seeking to mark off the iconic Vietnam landscape.
- Group tourists or families who want to go to traditional sightseeing tours with a range of cruise options.
However, on the other hand, Lan Ha Bay is a great place in case you want a more laid back style, greater privacy, and more contact with nature. It has less tourists and more genuine activities which is ideal to the travelers who value meaningful and mindful experiences.
Lan Ha Bay is ideal for:
- Couples, honeymooners or single travelers who want to enjoy a sense of serenity and seclusion.
- Outdoor enthusiasts and adventurous travellers that prefer kayaking, biking and eco travelling.
Lan Ha Bay is so much better than Halong; it is more intimate and less crowded, and more aligned with the needs of a modern tourist used to spacious destinations, authentic experiences, and a more personal touch.
Conclusion
There are some destinations that leave you breathless; those that beckon you to inhale deeply. Lan Ha Bay does this. It does not call out loudly to attract attention, it waits patiently, splendiferously, until those who take the less traveled road and the kinder quiet get to know it. We live in a place that travels too fast and runs too hectic, it is remarkable to have room, quiet, and ocean. Your path to Lan Ha is the same regardless of whether you come out of curiosity or instinct, and no matter what it is, Lan Ha is not a place but a state of mind that you will retain even when the boat returns to land. And, maybe that is what makes it memorable. To experience it at its most serene and soulful, let Lyra Cruises be your gentle guide into the heart of Lan Ha Bay.