1 Bai Chay Bridge
Under the magical shimmering lights, Bai Chay Bridge at night looks like an enchanting "harp" in the heart of Ha Long. The entertainment areas become livelier, and overnight cruises on the bay bring an unforgettable romantic atmosphere. Admiring Ha Long at night is truly a wonderful experience that every visitor wants to try.
When night falls, Bai Chay Bridge lights up with magnificent stay cables adorned with sparkling lights. Viewed from afar, Bai Chay Bridge and both shores contribute to a mystical, captivating beauty. When visiting Ha Long, you cannot miss the opportunity to admire the impressive curved route, where the foot of Bai Chay Bridge is likened to a movement in Ha Long's nocturnal symphony.
For those who love adventure, the unique winding approach leading up to the bridge offers an exciting thrill. From atop Bai Chay Bridge, you can look out at the bobbing lights of boats on the bay, alongside the shimmering beauty of the foot of Bai Tho Mountain and Cai Lan Port.
Under the magical shimmering lights, Bai Chay Bridge at night resembles an enchanting "harp". Photo: Thomas Kim Travel
2 Bazaar Night Market
When coming to Ha Long, you cannot miss Bazaar Night Market—an enticing destination along the beautiful Bai Chay coast. This is a favorite spot for sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment for many tourists whenever night falls.
Bazaar Night Market stands out with countless souvenirs characteristic of the Gulf of Tonkin, such as wind chimes made from seashells and snail shells, paintings of Ha Long Bay, and coal art handicrafts. In addition, the market also offers a wide range of household goods, electronics, handicrafts, gifts, and cosmetics with diverse designs. For fashion enthusiasts, the section dedicated to clothes and footwear here is definitely a place you cannot miss.
Bazaar Night Market stands out with countless souvenirs characteristic of the Gulf of Tonkin. Photo: Zoom Travel
3 Strolling through Bai Chay Old Town
Bai Chay Old Town, also known as Ha Long Old Town, is an ideal destination to discover the delicate charms of Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoi An Ancient Town. Featuring narrow pedestrian walkways steeped in vintage character, the quarter creates an interesting contrast with the modern and bustling areas of Ha Long City.
The old town is open 24/7, allowing you to visit at any time of the day, but it becomes especially sparkling and alluring as night falls. This will give you the feeling of wandering through the ancient streets of Hoi An or Hanoi.
The old town is bustling with countless eateries, shops, and photo check-in spots. Photo: Du thuyen Ha Long
4 Savoring Ha Long Cuisine
On your journey to discover Ha Long's nocturnal cuisine, fresh seafood delicacies like horseshoe crab (sam) and sea snails are not to be missed. To taste special horseshoe crab dishes, you should visit Sam Ba Ty located at Alley 6 or Alley 7D, Cao Thang Street. The eatery is famous for its diverse 7-course horseshoe crab menu, including crispy fried crab legs, crab patties, crab meat stir-fried with glass noodles, and crab grilled with scallion oil.
If you are a snail lover, MIA.vn recommends heading straight to Oc Son Beo at No. 14 Bui Thi Xuan, Hong Hai Ward. This eatery is renowned for snail dishes prepared with an exclusive, flavorful, and savory sauce. The snails here are very fresh and meaty, offering a delightful bite.
You can enjoy countless dishes made from seafood. Photo: iVIVU
5 Cruising on a Boat
One of the wonderful experiences you should try when visiting Ha Long is taking a cruise. Ha Long boasts hundreds of high-quality cruise fleets ranging from 3 to 5 stars. The cabins on the cruises are spaciously designed, clean, and luxurious, fully equipped with amenities so you can enjoy a comfortable vacation.
On board, you will have the chance to experience drifting on the waves, watching the sunrise and sunset, and admiring the gorgeous night scenery of Ha Long Bay. In particular, cruises also take you to visit many prominent tourist attractions such as Trong Mai Islet (Fighting Cocks Islet), Ong Su Islet, and Thien Cung Cave.
You can easily charter a cruise at the harbors with prices ranging from 1.7 million to 3 million VND per day (depending on the quality of the cruise vessel).
A wonderful experience you should try when visiting Ha Long is taking a cruise. Photo: Ambassador Cruise
6 Sightseeing Ha Long from the Sun Wheel
Located within the Sun World Ha Long Park theme complex, the Sun Wheel was built atop Ba Deo Hill and currently holds world-class height distinctions. From an altitude of 215m above sea level, the Sun Wheel offers panoramic, stunning views of Ha Long City at night. The brilliant, lively, and shimmering lights of Ha Long from high above will certainly be an unforgettable experience for you.
To reach the Sun Wheel, you need to ride the Queen Cable Car. This cable car system holds two Guinness World Records: the world's largest passenger capacity cabin and the world's tallest cable car tower above ground.
Admiring the night view of Ha Long from the Sun Wheel not only offers a magnificent panoramic vista but also creates memorable moments with the coastal city's glittering lights. This is definitely one of the can't-miss activities when visiting Ha Long.
Sightseeing Ha Long from the Sun Wheel. Photo: Sunworld Ha Long
7 Night Squid Fishing on the Bay
Night squid fishing on Ha Long Bay is an exciting activity you shouldn't miss when visiting here. In the past, night squid fishing was a livelihood for Ha Long fishermen, but with the growth of tourism, this activity has become a novel and captivating experience for travelers.
When joining night squid fishing, you will have the chance to both fish for squid and relax while gazing upon the shimmering, mystical Ha Long Bay illuminated under the night lights. If you are lucky, you can savor fresh squid that you caught yourself right out in the middle of the sea.
Ha Long night squid fishing is extremely attractive to tourists. Photo: VietnamNet
8 Chilling at a Beachfront Bar
When darkness falls, the bars along Bai Chay beach open their doors to welcome guests. These are open-air bars with spacious settings, ideal for sitting back with a drink, listening to music, and watching the sea view of Ha Long at night. Designed in a youthful and modern style, beachfront bars allow guests to comfortably mingle between tables, enjoy drinks, and chat together.
Energetic music begins to play as the night deepens, bringing a lively atmosphere packed with vibrant energy. Upbeat tunes and captivating dance moves make the ambiance inside the bars buzz with excitement, attracting many young travelers. They often frequent these bars every evening to enjoy the vibrant festive vibe and unwind after a long day exploring Ha Long.
Chilling at a beachfront bar is not only a place to enjoy drinks and listen to music, but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of the coastal city of Ha Long. With a gorgeous ocean view and dynamic music, this will surely be a memorable experience on your journey to discover Ha Long.
Chilling at a beachfront bar. Photo: Vivu Halong
Ha Long at night is truly a colorful painting, harmonizing natural beauty with vibrant lifestyle rhythms. From walking across Bai Chay Bridge and savoring seafood along the food street to experiencing night squid fishing aboard a cruise, each activity delivers distinct emotions. Hopefully, with these insights from the MIA.vn Travel Guide, you will have a fulfilling and exciting nighttime discovery of Ha Long. Do not forget to plan and prepare carefully so that every moment in Ha Long becomes an unforgettable memory.