Halong Bay Travel Guides & Tips

Quick answer: for a first visit, take a 2-day, 1-night cruise between October and December or in April–May. Choose Halong Bay for the famous caves and viewpoints, Lan Ha Bay for quieter water and beaches, and Bai Tu Long Bay for the fewest boats. Allow about 2.5 hours each way from Hanoi, and keep a spare day from June to October in case storms stop departures.

These guides are written and checked by the Halong Tour Expert team in Hanoi, led by Jimmy. Halong Tour Expert holds International Tour Operator License No. 01-539/2012/TCDL-GPLHQT from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and has operated since 2012, working with more than 80 verified cruise partners across the three bays. We cover what travellers actually ask before booking: crowds, cave access, swimming, entrance fees and which cruise suits which trip. Facts such as fees, routes and kayaking rules are checked against the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board, Hai Phong's fee resolutions and UNESCO, and each guide shows when it was last checked.

Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay: what's the difference?

All three bays share the same limestone scenery, but they are run by different authorities and feel very different on the water.

Halong Bay (Quang Ninh) is the original UNESCO World Heritage area, inscribed in 1994. It has the famous stops, such as Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island and Luon Cave, and the widest choice of day and overnight cruises. Its main route, VHL2, is busy around midday.

Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) lies south-east of Halong Bay beside Cat Ba Island. Since September 2023 it has been part of the same World Heritage site, renamed "Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago". It has about 400 islands, small beaches such as Ba Trai Dao, and far fewer boats. Kayaking there has been suspended since late 2025; bamboo boats and swimming are the main activities.

Bai Tu Long Bay lies north-east of Halong Bay towards Van Don and Bai Tu Long National Park. It is the quietest of the three, with floating villages such as Vung Vieng and beaches such as Cap La. It is visited mainly on overnight cruises.

Compare the first two in detail in Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay.

How to choose the right cruise

Day or overnight? A day cruise gives you about 4–5 hours on the water; a 2-day, 1-night cruise gives you about 22 hours, plus sunset and sunrise, for the same drive from Hanoi. See Halong Bay day cruise vs overnight cruise.

Which level? Budget day cruises start at roughly US$55 per person; overnight cruises range from roughly US$115 to US$350+ per person for 2 days and 1 night, depending on the ship, cabin and season. Luxury ships add balconies, larger cabins and pools. Muslim travellers can choose from a small group of halal-certified Halong Bay cruises.

Which route? The route matters more than the ship: a quiet route in Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay feels very different from the busy main route in Halong Bay. Browse every option on our find cruises page.

Best time to visit Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay

October to December is the best period: dry, sunny and clear. April and May are warm and green. June to September is hot and wet and the main storm season, with the most rain in August; when a storm or thunderstorm warning is issued, the port authority stops departures. February and March are cool and often misty. Month-by-month details are in our best time to visit Halong Bay guide.

Getting there from Hanoi

Most cruises leave from Tuan Chau or the Ha Long International Passenger Port in Bai Chay, about 2.5 hours from Hanoi by expressway. Cruises usually include a shuttle bus or offer a limousine van. Many 5-star Lan Ha Bay cruises also start at Tuan Chau; Lan Ha day boats leave from Ben Beo pier on Cat Ba, about 3 hours from Hanoi via the Got ferry. The Ha Long seaplane service stopped in April 2026, so road transfer is now the standard way in.

Entrance fees and rules in 2026

Most cruise prices include the bay fee. For reference, adults pay 250,000 VND per day on Halong Bay routes VHL1 and VHL2 and 550,000 VND for one night on VHL2. In Lan Ha Bay, adults pay 120,000 VND per day or 400,000 VND for one night. Children under 7 enter Halong Bay free; in Lan Ha Bay children under 6 are free. Every boat must give a safety briefing before departure, and you will need your passport for overnight cruise registration.

What you'll find in these guides

Caves and islands: Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Dark and Bright Cave, Trung Trang Cave, Soi Sim Island and more. Villages: Cua Van, Viet Hai and Vung Vieng. Planning guides: when to go, which bay, day or overnight, and halal cruises. Use the filters below to browse by bay, or contact us if you would like help planning your route.