In 2023, Travel + Leisure – a famous travel magazine has ranked Halong Bay among the most surprisingly stunning seaside spot in Asia to watch both sunrise and sunset. When the sun rises or sets, the stunning limestones of the bay seem to be immersed in a mystical sunlight, creating an alluring beauty that you won’t soon forget.
So, let’s find out when and where is the best place to capture the magical sunrise and sunset of Halong Bay with us.
When
Sunrise and sunset probably the most beautiful time during the day in Halong Bay. The natural transitions of natural lighting from bright to dark over the magnificent of the bay will keep you at awed. If you’re about to catch these magical yet short moments, it’s critical to know when it happen during your travel time.
Below is the forecast of sunset and sunrise in Halong Bay:
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| January | ~06:30 | ~17:30 |
| February | ~06:30 | ~17:45 |
| March | ~06:00 | ~18:00 |
| April | ~05:30 | ~18:30 |
| May | ~05:15 | ~18:45 |
| June | ~05:11 | ~19:00 |
| July | ~05:20 | ~19:00 |
| August | ~05:30 | ~18:50 |
| September | ~05:40 | ~18:20 |
| October | ~05:45 | ~17:50 |
| November | ~06:00 | ~17:35 |
| December | ~06:20 | ~17:38 |
From Jan to March
During Spring, from January to March, the sun rises in Halong Bay between 6 and 6:30 am.
Meanwhile, the sun goes down between 17:30 and 18:00. Sunsets tend to begin earlier in January and get a little later toward February and March.
From April to June
April to June mark the time when the sun rises earliest and sets latest in Halong Bay. You could enjoy the very first moment of the sunrise at 05:30 in April and even sooner at around 05:10 in June.
If you’re not an early bird, hunt the sunset instead. During these months, you could see the sun set on the magnificent limestones of the area at 18:30–19:00.
July to Sep
July through September might be the best time to see Halong Bay at dusk and dawn. It’s a nice day now, with not much rain and a lot of clear sky. On typical days, the sun rises around 5:20 and sets the latest at 19:00.
October to December
October to December are the busiest and liveliest months of the bay. The sun will begin to rise around 5:45 and set around 17:40 in the afternoon. Towards the end of the year, the weather gets colder and the sun rises later and sets earlier.
To make sure not to miss Halong bay sunrise and sunset, you should check forecast hourly and arrive at the designed viewpoint at least 15 minutes in advance.
Where to hunt Halong Bay sunrise and sunset
When it comes to hunting sunrises and sunsets, you must not only choose the right moment but also figure out the best places. Depending on different viewpoints, you’ll see different scenery, beauty, and even emotions.
In our experience, the higher the viewpoint, the greater the scenery. And Halong Bay is no exception.
Below are the top places to admire the beauty of Halong Bay sunset and sunrise.
From mountain peaks
Admiring the sunset and sunrise of Halong Bay from the peaks of the mountains would give you the widest view of the area. From high above, you could see the magic transition from brightness to darkness over hundreds of massive limestones and enormous karst formations in the bay.
Out of many, the 2 most famous peaks are on Bai Tho Mountain (Poem Mount) and Titop Island.
Bai Tho Mountain is 200 meters high and is located in Halong City. The view from there covers the front of the bay in addition to the landscape of modern Halong Bay city below.
Titop Island, on the other hand, provides a glimpse of Halong’s genuine beauty. After climbing 100 stairs to the highest point of the island, you may enjoy stunning views of Halong Bay and a tiny part of Bai Tu Long Bay.
From overnight cruise
Travel + Leisure magazine recommend that the best way to see Halong Bay sunsets and sunrises is from an overnight cruise. Traveling on these cruises allows visitors to fully watch the sunrise and sunset from many angles, with many natural scenes and different lighting angles of the sun. A cruise will also help you pick the best and biggest view, which will save you a lot of time and effort.
Lastly, with an overnight cruise, you could enjoy both sunrise and sunset in the bay, as they’re all covered in every itinerary.
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Rita Cruise
From: $145Destination: Lan Ha Bay – Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island
Free Kayaking, Private Balcony
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Sena Cruise
From: $134Destination: Halong – Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island
2023 promotion – Only $130/person with free kayaking!
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Scarlet Pearl Cruise
From: $165Destination: Halong – Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave
Superb Early Bird Promotion – Only $165/person
From beach
The beaches are also favorite locations to watch sunrises and sunsets for many travelers because they can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy fresh air and fresh breezes from the sea. You can choose from many beautiful beaches in the bay, such as Tuan Chau, Bai Chay, Ngoc Vung, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, etc.
However, compared to the view from a cruise or mountain peaks, these beaches normally offer more limited views and scenes. On top of that, famous beaches like Tuan Chau and Bai Chay are often quite crowded and noisy, which can affect your sightseeing and photography experience.
