Vietnam - Halong

Halong City, formerly the Hon Gai Town, is the capital city of Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam. It is known to people for bording the world famous Halong Bay to its south.

The city is actually comprised of two towns: the eastern part Hon Gai, an industrial zone where most of the province's official buildings concentrated, and the western part Bai Chay, a tourist area hosting the pier from which the Halong Bay tour boats leave. Lying either side of the narrow Cua Luc channel, the two parts are connected by bridge, though each has its own distinct character, time and the bridge is bringing them together.

It takes about two and a half hours from Hanoi to Halong City, most people only pass through the latter one quickly after booking a Halong Bay tour that begins and ends in Hanoi. There are good quality hotels though none is up to deluxe standard in Bai Chay, and also some spots such as the Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain and other attractive temples in Hon Gai, Halong City is usually ignored by tourists except as a stopover for Halong Bay tour.