A visit of Hon Gai (Halong commune) is offered to those who want to venture beyond the well-trodden path.

Should you wish to escape classic tourist areas , here is where you should do it. Use your Halong Bay cruise to incorporate a visit to Hon Gai.

Halong city is split in two by an estuary.

On one side you find Bai Chay where hotels, restaurants, the principal cruise boarding pier are concentrated … a huge tourist factory.

On the other side however, is where the locals live. It is there that you can get closer to the local people. Hon Gai is a guaranteed change of scenery without all the tourists.

A walk through the local market, the real heartbeat of the city, and you will be at the centre of the hectic Vietnamese life. You will find all types of food, many of them totally unknown to you. Greengrocer , meat , fish and seafood markets will reveal many gems hidden from the traditional tourist routes.