Intercontinental Ha Long Bay Resort: Beyond the Boat Trip

One of Asia’s most iconic seascapes, Ha Long Bay is an awe-inspiring marine labyrinth of nearly 2,000 limestone karsts, hidden coves, mysterious caves, and emerald waters. When I last visited 11 years ago, I experienced this UNESCO World Heritage Site the traditional way: on an overnight cruise, floating among the stone monoliths under a canopy of stars.

Returning over a decade later, I was eager to see how the seascape had evolved. While an overnight cruise was once considered the undisputed way to experience the bay, staying at the newly opened InterContinental Ha Long Bay Resort has changed my perspective, allowing me to admire the bay, on my own terms.

Where Is InterContinental Ha Long Bay Resort?

The resort sits approximately a two-hour drive from downtown Hanoi, giving travellers a genuine reason to skip the boat and settle into beachfront luxury while still being close enough to the bay to explore it daily.

Beachfront Living in Style

Melding lush island comforts with sleek, modern sophistication, the resort features 275 rooms, suites, and private villas. The architectural highlight? Every single room category, from the entry-level Classic Rooms to the sweeping Penthouse, is thoughtfully angled to capture panoramic views of the karsts resting on the sea. 

Tailored Accommodation Options

Classic Rooms & Suites: Intelligently laid out with modern residential amenities, deep soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking directly onto the bay. Breakfast at the Marina Kitchen is a league of its own with an extensive spread of local and international dishes. With views overlooking the bay, you can spend hours dining here. 

Club InterContinental Experience: Booking a Club room or suite unlocks access to the Executive Lounge, where guests enjoy an elevated, quiet start to the day with curated à la carte breakfast selections, which includes their signature Wagyu A5 Beef Pho and Tien Yen Chicken Pho. Club access also grants entry to an exclusive indoor heated pool, a peaceful sanctuary offering uninterrupted sea views, ideal for a swim regardless of the season.

The Ultimate Luxury Upgrade: Halong Bay Estate

For multi-generational families or groups seeking complete privacy, the Halong Bay Estate is a magnificent six-bedroom beachfront residence that functions as its own private world.

Private Wellness & Entertainment: Equipped with its own infinity pool overlooking the bay, private spa treatment room, sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym, private cinema, billiards room, library, and dedicated office space.

Tailored Dining & Service: Includes a dedicated private butler and personal chef who curates every meal, from bespoke breakfasts to personalised Vietnamese, Indian, or Halal culinary journeys.

Unhurried Arrival: Estate stays feature exclusive 9:00 AM arrival and 5:00 PM departure privileges, allowing guests to maximise every moment.

Culinary Journeys: A Destination in Its Own Right

The culinary narrative at InterContinental Ha Long Bay easily stands alongside the top dining scenes in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Roku Star Bar & Roku Dining Room

Do not miss setting aside an entire evening for both Roku Star Bar and Dining Room. They easily rank among the most exciting culinary additions to Northern Vietnam.

Start the evening at Roku Star Bar, where the mixology team pushes technical boundaries. Notably, the bar houses a rare, high-tech machine capable of extracting alcohol directly from spirits, dealcoholised or low-ABV interpretations without sacrificing body or flavor.

Must-Try Signature Cocktails

• Silent Veil: Sesame fat-washed gin delivers a refined nuttiness, lifted by clarified yuzu and white tea with a lingering finish of wild jasmine.
• Hinoki Forest: A blend of hinoki bark and pine-redistilled gin combined with clarified green apple, finished with a delicate vapor of sansho oil.
• Kintsugi Noir: Inspired by the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold. Hinoki-infused Reposado tequila and VSOP cognac form a resinous base, balanced with honey and Port, topped with a delicate whisper of black truffle.

Follow drinks with a full Kaiseki Dinner at Roku Dining Room, which pairs ultra-fresh Japanese seafood such as sweet Hokkaido scallops, pristine sashimi, and nigiri, which can be paired with artisanal, locally brewed sakes crafted in Vietnam.

Yulong Mansion

Helmed by Head Chef Kan Wing Shing, who brings over 30 years of Cantonese fine-dining mastery, Yulong Mansion delivers deeply authentic Cantonese flavors with subtle Northern and Sichuan influences. The restaurant features live seafood tanks, an open kitchen, and classic tableside moments including traditional Peking duck carving. 

Must-Order Dishes

• Roast Specialties: The succulent Roasted Goose with crisp, golden skin, alongside the flawlessly layered Macao Crispy Roast Pork.
• Soups & Delicacies: The rich, deeply satisfying Braised Eight Treasures Seafood Soup, as well as meticulously prepared delicacies like Braised Abalone, Fish Maw, and Sea Cucumber.
• Live Seafood: Freshly caught Steamed Tiger Grouper finished with a savory, aromatic black bean sauce.

La Baguette

Located directly behind the resort at the InterContinental Ha Long Bay Residences, La Baguette blends the charm of a contemporary Parisian bistro with coastal Vietnamese hospitality.

Standout Dishes

• Tuna Tartare: Silken bluefin tuna tartare paired with Ha Long mantis shrimp glass noodles, crisp cucumber, and young tamarind leaves.
• Huître Fraîche: Royal David Hervé N°1 oysters dressed with a pink guava jus, an aromatic Xa Xi herb sphere, leche de tigre, and pickled watermelon.
• H’Mong Black Chicken: Charcoal-grilled over coffee wood for a gentle smokiness, served with truffle aioli, black fungus, and sticky rice spiked with local mantis shrimp.

State-of-the-Art Fitness & Holistic Wellness

The Fitness Center

Operating 24 hours daily, the ocean-facing gym allows guests to run or ride while taking in sweeping views of the limestone karsts. The space is equipped with top-tier Technogym cardio and strength gear, and features integration with the Timeshifter jet lag program to help long-haul travelers reset their circadian rhythms quickly.

Hidden Lagoon Spa

Tucked quietly away within the property, the Hidden Lagoon Spa is designed around a tranquil central courtyard featuring gardens and serene koi pools. The architecture mirrors the natural elements of Ha Long Bay, where the strength of raw stone meets the soft movement of water. Treatments use 100% natural, chemical-free Australian skincare formulations focused on deep cellular renewal and emotional balance.

The Best of Both Worlds: A Tailored Day Cruise

Staying onshore does not mean you do not experience the magic of sailing along Ha Long Bay. While overnight cruise cabins today are beautiful with luxurious options such as the Bhaya Soul, spending 4 to 6 hours sailing among the karsts is often the sweet spot, giving you more than enough time to soak in the dramatic scenery. 

To experience the bay on your own terms, embarking on a Bhaya Legend Day Cruise is the ultimate compromise.

Sailing aboard a classic boutique wooden junk accommodating just 2 to 12 guests, every journey is tailored to your schedule with flexible morning or noon departures. Guests can choose between two curated 4-hour itinerary options:

Legendary Cave Explorations

Discover the enchanting Thien Cung Cave (the "Heavenly Palace"), perched 25 meters above sea level with its dazzling stalactites and stalagmites shaped like mythical creatures, before stepping into neighboring Dau Go Cave, the largest grotto in the bay, celebrated for its vast chambers and centuries of historical lore. 

Cultural Tranquility at Ba Hang

Explore the serene Ba Hang Fishing Village, a picturesque floating community nestled near Tuan Chau Harbor. Here, guests can hop into a kayak or traditional bamboo rowing boat to quietly glide past floating homes, taking in the serene atmosphere and a rare glimpse into the daily lives of local fishermen.