Without a doubt one of the most spectacular, relaxing and enjoyable things you can do in Halong Bay is to get on a boat, kick back and take in the scenery. It is spellbinding simply watching the variety of shapes and sizes of rocks go by, and watching the light on the water change as the day goes by.

Yet for those who are up for more excitement, there are many other options too.

Kayaking
A popular option is to go Kayaking, giving you a quiet and serene way to get up close and personal with the rocks. A word of warning though - ensure you go with a guide and do split off from the group for your own adventure, as Halong Bay is infamous for getting sailors lost and a hapless tourist has little chance.

Swimming
The water in Halong Bay is calm and often quite warm, at the right times of year. Going for a swim around the bay really gives you a sense of the scale of the rocks and is quite a treat. Again, ensure there is adequate supervision and you don't stray too far from the boats.

Cat Ba Nature Reserve
Cat Ba