The city mainly lies on Hạ Long Bay, and is located at about 178 km (111 mi) east of Hà Nội.

[3] Hạ Long enjoys rapid growth not only in its own tourism sphere, but also as a destination upon the main pathway to southern China.

[4] In the 2007 Vietnam-China Business Forum, a $400 million deal was signed to build a highway linking Hạ Long and the border city of Móng Cái.

Archaeologists and historians concluded that during the Stone Age, there had been three cultures known as Soi Nhụ, Hạ Long and Cái Bèo, affirming that the bay and its surrounding areas were one of the cradles of mankind.

102/CP, where Hòn Gai officially gained city status and was renamed to Hạ Long, while also incorporating Bãi Cháy into its territory.

[7] In the south of the city lies Mount Bài Thơ with its almost vertical seaward face, which was widely traversed by a number of historically known local poets.

Other places of interest include the Town of Cửa Vận, Hoàng Gia Park, Hạ Long Market, Bãi Cháy Trading Center, Quảng Ninh Museum and Library, Tuần Châu island, Vietnam-Japan Cultural House, Children's Cultural House, and the Sun World complex.

[9] The city has an active Catholic church in its eastern part, Hòn Gai, on the hill near the main post office, which hosts masses every Sunday evening and on Christian holidays.

The Van Don International Airport serves Hạ Long and the wider Quảng Ninh province.