Ha Long Tourism - Panoramic view of Ha Long City from above

1 What is so fascinating about admiring Ha Long from above?

Ha Long is known as a tourist city with many major entertainment destinations such as: Bai Chay Beach, Quang Ninh Library, Sun World Park, Ha Long Bay... Most tourists coming to Ha Long love exploring and discovering the corners frequently visited by locals. However, have you ever tried seeing a very different Ha Long from above? If not, give it a try right away. 

According to MIA.vn's observations, Ha Long has many elevated cafes built along cliffs or halfway up mountains. Seeing them will surely strike you as very unique. What attracts visitors to these cafes is not only the fascinating roads leading to them, but also the scenery, which can be described as "one of a kind". Most cafes have the advantage of being perched high up, on quiet roads with little traffic. Depending on the cafe you choose, there will be different views: during the day you can easily watch bustling boats coming and going on the bay, in the late afternoon sit and catch the sunset, or at night admire Bai Chay Bridge lit up, brightening an entire corner of the sky.

See more: Review of Ha Long tourist attractions you definitely must visit

2 Cafes you should choose for your journey

2.1 Sao Bien Cafe

Address: No. 33 Dang Ba Hat, Hon Gai, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh.

This cafe is located on the right side of the road if you are coming down from Bai Chay Bridge, or on the left side if you are heading up from the foot of Bai Chay Bridge. On the way to the cafe, there is a small, rather steep slope, so please pay attention to safety while traveling. Just follow the directions on Google Maps, and if you run into any difficulties, you can ask the locals. According to MIA.vn's experience, it is best to go by taxi or motorbike for safety because the cafe's parking area is quite narrow, with space for only 1 - 2 cars.

When entering the cafe, you should head straight up to the 2nd floor, as the 1st floor room is quite enclosed, stuffy, and dark, with almost no patrons sitting there. The 2nd floor offers an open, much breezier space where you can comfortably take in the view of Ha Long and breathe in the salty sea breeze. 

The drinks at Sao Bien are also very diverse, like many other famous cafes in Ha Long; the place offers everything from smoothies, coffee, and fresh juices to various mojitos. Prices at the cafe range only from 40,000 VNĐ - 60,000 VNĐ/cup. The quality of the drinks depends on individual tastes; according to reviews from many guests, the drinks here are quite tasty and pleasant.

2.2 Gio Cafe

Address: Dang Ba Hat Street, Hon Gai, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh.

Gio Cafe is also located in a similar area near Sao Bien Cafe; while Sao Bien is on the right-hand side, Gio Cafe is on the left. What makes this coffee shop special compared to Sao Bien is that it has a dedicated floor for parking with up to 5 car parking spaces.

This is a 3-story cafe: the 1st floor is for parking, the 2nd floor is a room with glass-paneled windows and a spacious balcony, and the 3rd floor is an open-air space. Gio Cafe is considered to have a fairly new and modern design, suitable for young people who love taking photos. Each floor has its own distinct characteristics, so depending on your preferences, you can choose the right seating spot for yourself.

Regarding the menu, Gio Cafe is slightly better than Sao Bien. Gio Cafe offers a full range of items such as milk tea, coffee, smoothies, sodas... with unique preparation methods. Drink prices are also not too expensive, averaging between 40,000 VND - 60,000 VND/cup.

2.3 Hai Dang Cafe

Address: Dang Ba Hat Street, Hon Gai, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh.

Hai Dang Cafe is located in a fairly easy-to-find spot, with a bridge leading straight from the street into the shop. A downside of this coffee shop is its very limited parking, accommodating only around 10 motorbikes and leaving no room for cars.

Hai Dang is a 2-story cafe designed with glass-paneled windows on the 1st floor and an open-air space on the 2nd floor. This cafe features a modern design, suitable for those who love airy, fresh spaces and taking check-in photos.

Beverages at Hai Dang Cafe are also quite diverse, with a full selection of sodas, juices, coffee... However, the service is a bit slow and prices are slightly higher than the two cafes mentioned above, ranging from 50,000 VND - 70,000 VND/cup.

2.4 Sky Bar

Address: 16th Floor, Royal Lotus Ha Long Hotel, A13 Lot 1, Dong Hung Thang 2 Tourism Residential Area, Ha Long City

Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:00

Sky Bar can be considered the cafe with the most beautiful space in Ha Long. Regarded as the highest cafe in Bai Chay, it is located on the 16th floor of the Royal Lotus Hotel. This cafe has a very airy outdoor space and a panoramic view of the entire city. The venue also features plenty of greenery, creating an extremely pleasant feeling for customers. A big plus for Sky Bar is that the tables and chairs here are very beautifully and uniquely designed. Because it is a cafe bar, it only opens at 16:00 so you can enjoy your coffee while watching the sunset. 

The menu at Sky Bar is very diverse, fully stocked with everything from coffee, juices, and smoothies to domestic beers, soft drinks, and cocktails. Drink prices here are also quite reasonable, ranging only from 40,000 VND - 75,000 VND for a regular drink. However, since this is an open-air café, it is only suitable to visit on days with nice weather. Therefore, be sure to check the weather forecast and plan your schedule accordingly when visiting this café.

2.5  Miam Miam – Bread & Cafe

Address: HG 1-11, HG 1-12, Vinhomes Dragon Bay Urban Area, Ben Doan, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City. 

Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

If you are someone who loves cozy cafés with tea and pastries, Miam Miam is the most suitable choice for you. This is a café with a gentle decor style featuring a room filled with flowers and a balcony looking directly out onto Ha Long Bay. 

The café's space is quite spacious; the 1st floor houses the pastry and beverage counter. The 2nd floor offers many photo-taking corners with chic white and yellow tones. The 2nd-floor outdoor balcony is airy, ideal for those who like to relax and immerse themselves in nature. The evening view from the café is romantic and poetic. The drinks are eye-catchingly decorated, highly photogenic, and matchingly delicious in quality. Food and drinks at the café only range from 10,000 VND - 100,000 VND; delicious pastries and fragrant tea are major plus points, along with an exceptionally enthusiastic staff. 

Traveling in Ha Long simply by sitting at a café with a beautiful view and “chilling” is an extremely delightful experience you shouldn't miss. MIA.vn hopes you will have truly memorable moments on your Ha Long journey.