US travel guide suggests exploring Ha Long by cable car and onsen for a weekend getaway

Lonely Planet, a respected travel guide often described as the “bible of travelers”, has recently published an article following writer James Pham on a journey through Ha Long. In the article, he notes that beyond the famous heritage bay, Ha Long offers many other experiences worth exploring, enough for visitors to stay a few extra days instead of treating it only as a departure point for cruises.

According to James Pham, a weekend in Ha Long can begin with a familiar journey on the water, as visitors board a boat and move through the maze of limestone islands in the heritage bay. From the deck, passing rock arches and caves, the scenery appears vivid and close. Lonely Planet describes Ha Long as a place where visitors can admire limestone islands that create one of Asia’s most iconic landscapes.  

To fully appreciate the beauty of the area, however, James Pham suggests experiencing it from a different vantage point – from above, where the sweeping panorama of Ha Long Bay gradually unfolds. This is where the Queen Cable Car at Sun World Ha Long becomes one of the most impressive ways to take in the view.  

This structure set a Guinness World Record for the world’s highest passenger capacity for a cable car, with each double-decker cabin able to carry up to 230 passengers. From Bai Chay, the giant cabins gently carry visitors across the sky to Ba Deo Hill in a short ride. Suspended high above, Ha Long Bay unfolds like a vast ink-wash painting, where limestone islands rise from emerald waters and layers of rocky mountains appear and disappear in the mist. 

Beyond the cable car, Sun World Ha Long is also highlighted by Lonely Planet as a destination well suited for families, offering a variety of experiences within one complex, from amusement rides and water parks to a wax museum and scenic viewpoints. Both domestic and international visitors are also drawn to the Bao Hai Linh Thong Tu spiritual complex on the mountaintop. 

One of the most notable highlights is the Sun Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel perched on the hilltop. As the cabins slowly rise to a height of 215 metres, the view opens up across the entire bay, revealing layers of limestone islands stretching into the distance. From above, the scattered islets appear like brushstrokes across deep blue waters, creating the impression of an otherworldly landscape where sea and sky merge into one.  

After the lively experiences in central Ha Long, Lonely Planet suggests that visitors take time to unwind at Hilton Quang Hanh Onsen Resort, located about a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The resort draws on a rare natural saline mineral source, considered to be among the top five percent of high-quality saline springs in the world and surpassing many onsen in Japan.

Set amid a quiet mountain landscape, Hilton Quang Hanh Onsen offers more than 25 mineral bathing pools arranged among gardens, rocks and caves, delivering a distinctly Japanese onsen experience. After a day exploring the bay, soaking in the warm mineral waters within a tranquil natural setting brings a sense of relaxation and completion to the journey, while also supporting physical recovery.  

Alongside modern resorts and entertainment complexes, the article also highlights local experiences that round out a weekend in Ha Long. According to James Pham, destinations such as Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island and Quang Ninh Museum offer deeper insight into the region’s nature and history. The guide also encourages visitors to try local specialties such as bun cu ky and fresh seafood from the bay, contributing to the culinary identity of the heritage city.  

Recognition from a respected name like Lonely Planet once again affirms the strong appeal of Ha Long Bay on the global tourism map. As the guide suggests, to fully appreciate the beauty of the heritage bay, sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective, stepping away from the water and into a cable car cabin, “a great way to see Ha Long from above.”