Ha Long city

If Ha long Bay is heaven, Ha long City can be hell. Overdeveloped but under loved, the hideous high-rise hotels come in every shade of pastel and the beaches are definitely not the best in the region. However, the majority of food, accommodation and other life support systems for Ha long Bay are found in Ha long City. The capital of Quang Ninh province it is sin city, with 'massage' heavily promoted at every hotel. The town draws large numbers of domestic tourists and, until recent!)", was a major magnet tor Chinese tourists. Suddenly they stopped coming, giving birth to a million conspiracy theories about bankrupting hotel to buy them out.

Ha long City is bisected by a bay, and the most important district for travelers is called Bai Chay. Located on the western side, Bai Chay is closer to Hanoi and offers a better choice of hotels and restaurants. It's also when the majority of tourist boats are moored. A short ferry ride (500d) across the bay takes you to the Hon Gai district. Hon Gai is the main port district for coal exports, which means it's a bit dirty, but at least there is some local flavor. There is a bridge nearing completion to finally link Bai Chay and Hon Gai, which is good news for everyone (except perhaps the ferry' captains). It will have opened by the time you read this.
District names are important; most long distance buses will be marked 'Bai Chay' or 'Hon Gai' rather than 'Ha long City'.

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