Halong

Halong City (Hạ Long) (commonly called Hong Gai, Hon Gai or Hongay) is a town on the northern side of the Ha Long Bay Archipelago of Vietnam. It's the capital of Vietnam's Quang Ninh province.

Halong Halal Travel Guide

Halong city is primarily a transit point, though there is an artificial beach for some reason.

Travel to Halong

The three primary transit points are all close to each other and you should be able to get a motorbike taxi between them for 20-30,000 dong or thereabouts.

Baichay Bus Station | The primary local bus station. Connects with destinations right across Vietnam, as well as Vientiane in Laos and possibly Nanning in China.

Tourist Ferry Pier | 20.946862, 107.030159 - The huge array of slow 'junk' tour boats for package tourists out of Hanoi depart here for Cat Ba|Cat Ba Island. As most people taking these boats are on pre-booked tours and the piers are not exactly set up for independent travel. In fact, quite the opposite; you will be approached by hawkers wanting to make a quick buck by selling you tickets for a premium: avoid these guys. What you want to do is get yourself a ticket from the row of counters inside of a building near the waterfront. Tickets are 80,000 dong for 'route 1' which is the standard way to get over the Cat Ba. Wait around there with the local residents (the group easy to identify as "not lost looking Muslim tourists") until something happens.

For individual tourists not on a tour package from Hanoi,"licensed" agents will approach you upon arrival at Bai Chay Wharf to sell cruise packages to you. Starting prices (for a non-Vietnamese Asian) are 500,000VND for a 4hr cruise (for which you will receive an 80,000VND cruise ticket) and 800,000VND for a 6hr one. If you want to avoid the hassle of buying tickets yourself and not looking like a lost sheep not knowing which cruise to take, do your best to bargain. You could approach the ticket counter directly if you have a Vietnamese-speaking guide along, and the rates will be much lower (remember, it's an 80,000VND ticket), but be prepared to pay higher than the value stated on your ticket due to other extra charges such as mandatory insurance.

The tourist boats just stop at an island with two poorly preserved caves, and passengers are hit up for overpriced soft drinks and kayaking ("the water cave") along the way; the whole ordeal takes four or five hours and is really best avoided unless you've never seen a cave before or want to hang out with clueless gap-year tourists.An old report claims "There is another government-run ferry leaving the tourist wharf at 12:00 daily costing 100,000 VND per person and takes 5 hours. This arrives into Cat Ba town" (Good luck finding it with no further information...)

Đảo Tuần Châu Pier | 20.934867, 106.998382 - Fast ferries depart from this pier on mainland-linked Tuan Chau Island 3 times daily: 9:30, 11:30 and 15:30. (50,000VND; just over an hour). Nice scenic route but then all routes to Cat Ba are. Cars and bikes also take this route. Be warned though, especially during off-peak season, that the ferry will only leave if there are more than 20 people using it. It also arrives into a lesser used port on the northern edge of the island, about 25km from Cat Ba town. A local bus can be taken to town, costing about 10,000VND per person, or an array of motorbike taxis await. Be wary as enterprising local businessman may try to convince you the local bus is his personal taxi, and charge you extortionate rate to use it.

Van Don Airport is due to open at the end of 2023, with mainly domestic flights across Vietnam. It's at Quảng Ninh, 60 kilometers northeast of Halong.

Halal Food & Restaurants

There are some Halal restaurants opposite the beach offering mostly Vietnamese Rice dishes and seafood. Local specialities include su fish, found only around Halong Bay, shrimp, mussels, deep fried mini crabs, and squid cakes (similar to (Thai) fish cakes). The market in town is split in to a dry and wet market and is well stocked with seafood.

Emeraude Café Bai Chay beach near the post office ☎ +84 33 849 266 - The only restaurant in the area that serves International food.

Co Ngu Restaurant - Premium Villas, Halong road, Bai Chay ☎ +84 33 3511 363 - A wide selection of Western cuisine and Asian delicacies is served at this premier local seafood restaurant.

Cafe 555 | Opposite Bai Chay Tourist Wharf (100 meters to the right; between a row of shops by the primary street) They serve some potent coffee here so if you are a coffee lover, you hit jackpot here. If you don’t drink coffee and they have other drinks there too.

What to see in Halong

Bai Chay Beach - a large, beautiful, artificial beach. 100 meters wide, and over 500 meters long. Busy in the morning and late afternoon.

Quang Ninh Provincial Museum | 165 Nguyen Van Cu Street ☎ +84 33 3825 031

Bai Chay Tourist Wharf and Jetty

Tourists coming from Hanoi to Halong Bay on all-inclusive tickets pass through here.

For individual tourists not on a tour package from Hanoi,licensed agents will approach you upon arrival at Bai Chay Wharf to sell cruise packages to you. Starting prices (for a non-Vietnamese Asian) are 500,000VND for a 4hr cruise (for which you will receive an 80,000VND cruise ticket) and 800,000VND for a 6hr one. If you want to avoid the hassle of buying tickets yourself and not looking like a lost sheep not knowing which cruise to take, do your best to bargain. You could approach the ticket counter directly if you have a Vietnamese-speaking guide along, and the rates will be much lower (remember, it's an 80,000VND ticket), but be prepared to pay higher than the value stated on your ticket due to other extra charges such as mandatory insurance.

If you are looking for a boat tour at minimum budget, purchase tickets only from the counter staff in full uniform at the wharf office, ignore anyone that tries to convince you that he/she is a staff when he/she does not work or speak at the counter. The price for the boat ride is at 180,000VND while the entrance ticket (separate from boat fee) is at 80,000VND. This is a four hour trip that includes only pass-by of several islands and a visit to the Thien Cung cave on an island. Agents will employ various tactics such as following you at a distance to stop you from getting tickets at the office. Note that the tour guide in this package likely speaks only Vietnamese, and is frequented by the local residents young and old.

Karaoke

Various venues offer karaoke.

Halong Bay Casino

Halong Bay Casino (Royal International Casino) is by the primary street to Bai Chay. Walking takes about 10–15 minutes from the tour boat wharf. Foreign Muslims nust show their passports to enter. No deposit required. A coffee lounge with slot machines on the ground floor is open to all while there are two gambling halls, one on the ground floor which is closed on weekdays while the small main hall is up on the first floor.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Halong

Halong - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Halong, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Halong. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Halong and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Halong. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Halong. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Halong: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Halong.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Halong: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Halong, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Halong.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Halong, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Halong, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Halong and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Halong, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Halong, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Halong without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Halong is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Halong.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Halong is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Halong, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Halong Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Halong

eHalal Group Halong is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Halong. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Halong.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Halong ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Halong. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Halong, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

If you are unable to find a hotel within thirty seconds of arrival in Ha Long city and then you may have been dropped off in the wrong place. There are plenty of Nha Ngi and Hotels lining the streets vying for your money, so haggle it up. The further you follow up the street and the cheaper it gets. With some bargaining you get down to $5 for a room per day for one person.

Halong Backpackers Hostel is right on the entrance to Anh Dan street, and is easy enough to find and close to the beach.
Tuan Chau Island Holiday Villa is located on Tuan Chau island, and boasts a private sand beach and a themed park. The resort played host to Miss Universe beauty pageant in June 2008. Cab ride to Bai Chay Tourist Wharf is roughly 10mins and 150,000VND. From $80 per day.

News & References Halong

Travel Next

Apparently there are some old stone houses in the mining town of Cam Pha, which you can reach by local bus from Baichay Bus Station. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find them, take photos, and update this page. To aid you in your mission there is - a French 1915 map of the mines of the area over here, featuring an ancient fortress.

Also note that if you travel east that far, you would do well to push on to Cai Rong and take a slow ferry to Quan Lan Island, totally free from tourist hassles.