Our ship docks at the Halong Port next week. Is it actually walkable to the main town? Or do we absolutely need a taxi just to get out of the port area?
To be honest, within walking distance, there's almost nothing to see except the Bai Chay beach (it's about 1.1km away) https://maps.app.goo.gl/J6wJEGz2beCT4uiD9. If you want to explore the city properly, you have two good options right at the terminal:
City Tour: Grab a ticket for the electric car tour or the hop-on-hop-off bus sold right inside the port. It's the easiest way to see the highlights.
DIY: If you want to go on your own, just walk out to the main gate (near the flagpole). You'll see plenty of Xanh SM (Electric Taxis) waiting there. They are reliable and use meters, so no need to worry about being overcharged!
Walk to the beach for sunbathing and taxi to return