Fried squid paste in Halong Bay leaves a lasting impression on diners thanks to its unforgettable taste. Halong fried squid paste (cha muc) is made from cuttlefish due to its thick and chewy flesh.

Vietnam in 2 weeks: A first-timer’s guide to Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An Published: Mar. 19, 2025, 11:27 a.m. Ethereal Halong Bay is about 110 miles east of Hanoi in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s much visited Halong Bay is chock full of cruise ships but a trip to Bai Tu Long Bay on its outer reaches provides an entrancing journey of karsts, caves and conservation.

However, the dry Halong Bay, also known as Trang An, is not a seascape but is in the centre of the country, some 100km south of the capital Hanoi.

Crowds? No. Likened to Halong Bay but inland, Trang An in Vietnam deserves a visit. Reading Time: 3 minutes. Why you can trust SCMP. dpa. Published: 12:45pm, 17 Feb 2025Updated: 8:10am, 18 Feb 2025.

This week: From Hanoi to Halong Bay: Five days in northern Vietnam. Next week: Exploring the coast of central Vietnam: Hoi An ...