Overview
Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s seven natural wonders recognized by UNESCO. It is a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, located in the West bank of the gulf of Tonkin in the northeast sea area of Vietnam. With thousands of wonderful islands, the miraculous fruits of creation. Ha Long tourism has the advantage of beautiful scenery which attracts lots of domestic and international tourists .
How to get to Halong Bay?
Private Transportation
If you use private transportation, it only takes you about 3 hours to travel from Ha Noi to Ha Long via Ha Noi-Hai Phong-Ha Long expressway system. Noting that motorbike is not allowed to use to travel on expressway.
If you want to ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Long, you can follow 1A road to Bac Ninh and turn along highway 18 to travel to Uong Bi – Ha Long
Public Transportation
By car
To move to Ha Long from Ha Noi, The fastest means of transportation is by car. Recently , many the owner of car service have opened 9-seat Limousine service with spacious and comfortable seats and travelling Ha Noi – Hai Phong expressway route to shorten the travel time to about 3 hours left. It is up to your period time to choose the appropriate way to get Ha Long.
By airplane
Cat Bi airport in Hai Phong and Van Don airport in Quang Ninh are 2 airports closest to Ha Long. There are many daily domestic routes from most localities. You can choose the appropriate airport depending on your trip plan. If you want to explore Co to or Quan Lan island, you should choose Van Don airport. Or if you want to combine with exploring Hai Phong and Cat Bi island , Cat Bi is the nearest airport to get there .
Besides , there is a new choice with modern and luxurious seaplanes of Hai Au Airlines from Ha Noi. It is not only helps tourists to save travel times but it also makes you enjoy the nice view from the plane as well as record memorable of Ha Long Bay from above.
When to visit ? The best time to travel to Ha Long ?
Which seasons we should travel to Ha Long? Which months is the best? Choosing the best time is never easy for tourists due to many factors such as work, weather, budget and even your schedule. Ha Long Bay has different beauty in each season and tourists will have their own ideal time to experience the highlights of Ha Long Bay.
Based on my experience, I will help you find the best time to visit here.
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Ha Long Bay in Spring
Spring is the wettest season of the year, with drizzle and fog. Despite the weather is so cold, it is sunny. There are many things in Ha Long in Spring that make visitors be fascinated. You will have a chance to explore Vietnamese culture such as how people prepare for Tet Holiday either at Ha Long market or shopping center in the city, receive lucky money and try to taste lots of the difference traditional dishes.
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Autumn in Ha Long
Autumn will be the best time to visit Ha Long Bay because it always has beautiful sunshine, clear blue sky, a little rain, mild climate .
At this time of year, the storm is also less , the number of visitors is also much more reduced, so you will avoid crowded scenes. Autumn’s romantic space is perfect for the ideal trip for a couple or couples during this time such as taking a wedding album on the top deck, then taking a sauna and relaxing on white sand beach.
Yacht is the best choice for those who want to experience in Ha Long. A Autumn’s romantic space is perfect for the Ideal Trip for a couple or couples during this time such as taking a wedding album right on the top deck, then taking a sauna and relaxing on white sand beach.
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Ha Long during Summer
Summer is the peak season and is also suitable for almost all activities in Ha Long Bay, from water sports to outdoor activities. Many famous destinations like Titop island, Sung Sot Cave or Bai Tho island …
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Ha Long Bay in Winter
Even though winter is not the best time to travel to Ha Long Bay, there are many things to do for you to experience here.
Winter in Ha Long, there is no rain, no storm, the air is drier. However , the temperature can drop so low making you unsuitable for enjoying some outdoor activities like swimming
But if you want a quiet place, not crowded, this may be not the best time to go to Ha Long, because this is not the peak travel season for domestic tourists.
What to see for a day trip in Halong?
Ha Long has many fun spots and attractions. You can find some travel destinations suggestions you should not miss as below :
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Thien Cung Grottos
This is one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long. It is nearly 10 000 m² for wide with extremely complex structure including many levels, many compartments with so high and wide ceilings and walls. Especially in the cave, we can see countless blocks of stalactites and stalagmites with strange shapes everywhere .
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Dau Go Cave
About 300m from Thien Cung grottos, Dau Go is a large and nice cave with mossy antique style. Due to the wide opening, the humidity in the cave is high and the effect of sunlight can be seen immediately on the diversity of the flora, especially mosses and ferns, woody trees… This is a distinctive feature compared to many other caves in Ha Long Bay.
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Sung Sot Cave
This cave is located in the heart of the World Heritage Ha Long Bay, on the island of Bo Hon. Inside of Sung Sot cave there are fossil stalactites with extremely rich shapes. Sung Sot Cave is located in the center of many famous tourist sites of Ha Long.
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Ti Top Island
This is an island having a steep bank, an inclined bank with white flat sand . Tourists can swim or climb to enjoy all views of island. Looking down from above, Ti Top is shaped like a full moon embracing the island’s foot. Beach area is not large but quiet, white sand, pure and blue sea in four seasons.
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Luon Cave
You can see stalactites buds created for millions of years in many different shapes and sizes. In front of the cave is Con Rua Islet, in the right is Heaven Gate.
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Me Cung Cave
This cave is located at a height of 25m on Lom Island. Me Cung cave has a complex structure with many levels, many compartments , a niche spreading over the roof of the stone with the length of more than 100 meters, rising to the west and looking down to a small lake called Me Cung
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Drum Cave and Trinh Nu Cave
Located on the wings of a small mountain in east of the Bo Hon island. These two caves are away 700-800m from each other over a small bay. These two caves not only have lots of stalactites and beautiful views, but also attract tourists because of a very feeling story.
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Soi Sim island
Soi Sim has area of about 8,7 ha , located in the west of Ha Long Bay, about 700m from Ti Top Island . This island is a primeval forest with plant diversity , including many endemic, valuable and typical species of ecosystem of Ha Long Bay .
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Cua Van Fishing Village
At Cua Van fishing village, visitors can not only immerse themselves in a quiet and peaceful space, but also learn about the cultural life of fishermen, learn how to row boats, spread fishing nets, drop fishing rods to catch fish and shrimp …
What to do for a day cruise trip experience should try
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Kayaking in Halong Bay
It will so regret if travelling to Ha Long but not exploring the bay by Kayak boat. When you sit on a small Kayak boat , row the paddle in the blue water, enjoy the fascinated natural scenery , It is simply but really interesting .
Ha Long Bay was voted as one of the top 25 Kayak boating destinations in the world by National Geographic Adventures magazine.
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Try to climb
If you are adventurous sports followers , maybe the the thorny cliffs, the majestic corners of the mountains, cliffs, caves in Ha Long Bay will bring you a yearning to be conquered
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Exploring the beautiful caves
Halong is also famous for beautiful and unique caves . Each cave of Ha Long has an interesting name, calling up the curious to explore such as Thien Cung cave, Sung Sot cave, Luon cave, Dau Go cave, Hanh cave, …
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Visit the fishing village on the bay
The coastal fishing villages in Ha Long are so peaceful , fresh . This is an interesting destination for tourists . The destinations for this experience are Vung Vieng fishing village, Cua Van fishing village, Ba Hang fishing village ..You can hire Nan boats at pier of Ha Long .
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Attending a Cooking Class
Cooking class is an on-board activity that helps passengers not only taste delicious food but also learn more about Vietnamese culinary culture.
The chef will teach you how to cook the Vietnamese traditional food or how to carve different types of vegetables and fruits. An interesting activity for person who is keen on cooking and cuisine
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Swim at Ha Long Bay beach
Nothing can match a refreshing swim in the emerald water of Ha Long Bay . The emerald water sea and refreshment of Ha Long Bay will help to ease all tiredness , stress and take visitor easy.
This is a good chance for you to enjoy the charming beauty of Ha Long Bay beaches , including Ti Top Beach, Tuan Chau Beach (Tuan Chau), Beach, Ngoc Vet Beach (Ngoc Vieu) and Bai Lan (Quan Lan) Beach …
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Sunbathing in Ha Long Bay
One of the most satisfied things in Halong Bay is sunbathing or swimming. Ha Long Bay has countless places for tourists who like to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, fish or kayak …
Basing on some experienced tourists , they said that the beautiful scenery of the cliffs on the bay became the ideal scene for many underwater activities.
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Enjoy the beauty of the sunset
After a long day full of physical activities on the beach like swimming and surfing, it’s time to sit quietly on the deck and see the sunset. This is really perfect for those who want to take professional photos in an extremely wonderful landscape. Observing the beautiful sunset on the beach gives visitors an unforgettable memory.
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See Ha Long Bay from seaplane
If you have experienced the scenery of Ha Long Bay on the yacht but still not satisfied , maybe you have not seen whole beautiful views of Halong Bay like in the movies , seeing Halong Bay from seaplane is the best choice.
Which is the Best route to choose?
Ha Long Bay Route
- Departure: Ha Long International Port & Tuan Chau International Port
Attractions: Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Titop Island, Luon Cave, etc. - Time to visit the bay: 4 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8-hour cruise
- This route is the most popular day cruise itinerary when visiting Halong Bay. The tour starts from Halong Port or Tuan Chau Port. Following local authority, the route is named Route 1 and Route 2.
- Route 1 (4-hour cruise): Habour > Stone Dog islet > Ba Hang > > Thien Cung cave
- Route 2 (6-hour cruise): Habour > Stone Dog islet > Fighting Cocks islet > Sung Sot (Amazing) cave > Luon cave > Titov island
Lan Ha Bay Route
- Departure: Tuan Chau International Port (Ha Long city) or Ben Beo (Beo Pier) in Cat Ba island
- Attraction: Bright Cave, Ao Ech (kayaking), floating village
- Experience: kayaking, visiting caves, swimming
- Time to visit the bay: 5 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours
Bai Tu Long Bay Route
- Departure: Ha Long International Port
- Attractions: Thien Canh Son Cave, Vong Vieng fishing village, Cong Do
- Itinerary: 6-hour cruise
- The route is named Route 4 with the itinerary: Habour > Cong Do area > Thien Canh Son cave > Vung Vieng fishing village.
Why choose Halong Bay one day cruises?
Ha Long Bay tourism in a day helps you to save the time and money . A tourism longer than a day will require a accommodation, a night on the boat, while with a 1 day tour, you can return to your place during the night or move to a less expensive place
- If the budget is one of your concerns , travelling in a day is a great choice .
- In addition , you will be able to experience a lot of activities, both on land, on the island and on the bay
- A one-day tour is the best solution which helps you have get the most impressive and fully experience at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Of course , the top activities are boat tours on the bay , this can take you to destinations like Sung Sot Cave, Dau Go Cave, Thien Cung Cave, The Best Beauty of Titop Island, Tuan Chau Island, and peaceful at Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay …
The Best Ha Long Bay day cruise tours
While overnight boat trips are the most popular tours in Halong Bay, there are shorter tours but being perfect for those who has tight schedules.
Tourists who want to have a strong feeling can choose seaplane which offers the best views of traditional fishing villages, islets and limestone columns jutting out of the clear blue water.
Suitable for a variety of budgets, interests and group sizes, read our guide to Ha Long Bay’s most popular tours:
Deluxe Halong Bay Day Trip 6 Hour Cruise
Highlights of Halong Bay Day Trip 6Hours Cruise
- Cruising for a full 6 Hours around Halong Bay with a professional guide and crew
- Enjoy Vietnamese traditional Lunch with seafood
- Visit Titop Island, Trekking Titop Peak for taking photos with panoramic view of the bay.
- Kayaking or taking a sampan boat around the gorgeous Luon Cave
- Swimming on Beach
- Discovering the mystical beauty and ancient history of Sung Sot Cave
- Enjoy Cooking Class on cruise
- All Included ( Only without drinks on Personal expenses )
Halong Bay Full Day Kayaking + Swimming
Seaplane Flight Over Ha Long Bay
Trips to visit Ha Long Bay by seaplane with 2 flight services include:
- Itinerary flight: Hanoi – Ha Long
Cost: From VND 4,200,000 – VND 9,700,000
Starting point: Noi Bai International Airport, 109 counter, E hall, 1 terminal.
Ending point: Tuan Chau Port, T7 Villa , Tuan Chau port urban area, Ha Long city , Quang Ninh province.
Duration of a journey: 45 minutes. There are 2 flights daily from Hanoi to Ha Long at 9:30 am and 14:30 pm and 2 trips from Ha Long to Hanoi at 12:30 pm and 16:00 pm.
Fly for sightseeing Ha long bay
- Cost: VND 1,500,000 – VND 2,870,000
- Duration of a journey: 25 minutes.
Starting and ending points: Tuan Chau Port, T7 Villa , Tuan Chau port urban area, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.
Route for places of interest such as : Ha Long city, Ti Top island, Ca Vung Vieng village, Ngu Ngoc Trai camp, Soi Sim Island, Yen Ngua Island , Dragon Eye Island, Hon Gai commune, Bai Tho mountain, Lu Huong Island , Trong Mai Island, Tuan Chau harbor, …
Private Full-Day Halong Bay Tour
Private tours to Halong Bay include a one-day private guide from Hanoi. You can visit wonderful caves, explore the majestic scenery of limestone mountains , and learn about the life of fishermen in the traditional fishing and pearl villages on the Bay.
These excursions can come with a higher price, but you can enjoy a personalized journey of Halong Bay, ensuring a unique holiday experience for you and your family.
What to eat in Ha Long Bay for a day tour?
Traveling to Ha Long, you will not only be tasted with all the fresh and delicious seafood dishes, but also the special delicacies that only Ha Long has. So What to eat , where to eat ?
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Cha Muc (Grilled Chopped Squid)
Cha Muc is famous throughout the three regions and have been considered as a “ brand” food in Ha Long province . It is guaranteed to be freshed , so it always crispy and typical.
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Grilled oyster
Fresh oysters washed and grilled over charcoal stove as soon as a customer orders , so it is always hot . You can suggest grilled oysters with onion fat or chili discharge to change the taste.
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Fried Snail with soya sauce
With many types of snails and different recipe , You should not miss the chance to enjoy fried Snail with soya sauce. In addition, if you have time, you should enjoy grilled chopped squid white sticky rice , squid spring rolls , sea horseshoe crab , “nodding” cakes, sour or glutinous-rice wine soaked in Hoanh Bo, grilled spring rolls in Quang Yen , “ Ca Say “ in Tien Yen …
Tips to choose a Best Halong bay day trip
Some people will always prepare and perform the trips for Vietnam tour as well as information about famous travel companies via the Internet before the estimated departure date. However, some cases still have problems with travel agencies fraud, or the quality of tour services is not as advertised.
To ensure that you find the good tour company specializing in organizing quality Halong a day tour. We recommend you some useful information, as well as the most accurate detailed advice for your next trip when you want to visit Ha Long Bay.
Book Online
If you have started to research travel booking websites and information sites, travel blogs, etc.,you will be very confused and very difficult because there are so many online travel companies offering Ha Long Bay tours.
- You should read information in forums like TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet . You can read from others about the experience and know a list of reputable company names from these forum pages
- On these forum pages , you can find the schedule yourself. Some customers may even bookmark or mention the websites of reputable travel companies they have experienced.Finally, when you have all the information you need and peace of mind , you can book a tour with that travel agency
- On the Top 10 Travel Agency on the Tripadvisor website in Hanoi.The website must have accurate information such as address, Hotline, Email, representative and business license.
- The website has permissions, as well as cancellation policies for customers.
- The website must be committed to and contractual compensation terms, if they do not provide services such as selling to customers.
Booking in Hanoi
It will definitely be easier if you search for a reputable travel agent in Hanoi through the Google. Then you can go directly to their office in Hanoi for direct advice.
Therefore, you will always receive the most useful information and the best prices.
Find out a ticket at harbor
This problem you can only do when you are in Ha Long city and want to go directly to the harbor for quick tickets. You will pay for 40USD / Pax or maybe more expensive if you buy tickets to visit Ha Long Bay in a day including boarding passes and scenic tickets.
Duration: there are 4-hour, 6-hour, and 8-hour tours, so you should consider carefully since each tour offers different activities. In our opinion, 6-hour tour will be the most reasonable to experience a day tour on the bay. Our goal is to consult on a tour that is not only reasonably priced but also of excellent quality and gives you a memorable experience.
- One day trip to Halong Bay may leave much to be desired. But if you have no other choice than to visit it in just one day, this is our guide to try and help you find the best experience you can get.
- Our objective will be to find a tour with not only reasonable price but also has great quality.
If finding a tour is too much of a chore for you, just consider the Hanoi Explore Travel. It covers all the expenses and also includes pick up. For a one day tour with all the important sites covered, you won’t find a better offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are here for you! If you have any questions about this cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours! Got a question about this tour? Reach out to our travel experts.
- What types of boats are used for day cruises on Halong Bay?
Most day tours use traditional wooden boats that are designed to offer visitors a relaxing and comfortable experience while visiting the bay. These boats are furnished with contemporary comforts like air conditioning and private cabins so that tourists can unwind during the trip.
- What is included in a Halong Bay cruise tour?
A day trip Halong Bay tour usually includes a round-trip transfer between Hanoi and Halong, entrance fees to tourist attractions, meals and activities such as kayaking, visiting caves and onboard recreational activities.
- Are there any discounts available for Halong Bay day cruises?
Yes, some tour operators provide discounts for group reservations or special offers during a specific period. In addition, most tour operators also offer discounts for children and the elderly. Before making a tour reservation, you should ask the tour operator for any discount available.
- How long does a typical Halong Bay day cruise tour last?
Most day cruises on Halong Bay last around 4-8 hours, depending on the route and activities included in the tour. Check your plan to see which tour works best for you!
- Are there any age restrictions for Halong Bay day cruises?
In general, children of all ages are welcome to join the Halong Bay day cruise, however they must always be accompanied by an adult. In addition, some activities such as kayaking or scuba diving may have certain age restrictions that visitors should consider when booking a tour.
- Which types of clothing are suggested for Halong Bay day cruises?
For day cruises on Halong Bay, it is advised to wear comfortable and light clothes, and to bring a windproof jacket in case of rain or cold weather. It’s also crucial to wear footwear designed for deck use, such as sneakers or sandals with non-slip soles.
Tourists should also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat in order to protect themselves from the sun when traveling. - I'm a vegetarian. Is a vegetarian menu offered?
Vegetarian dishes are available on all day tours. Therefore, simply let the company know when booking a tour so that your requests can be fulfilled.
- I haven’t tried kayaking before, can I still do this activity?
Yes. There are two options that you can choose from. You can opt to take a kayak with the guide’s instruction or sit on a bamboo boat rowed by the locals. Both will allow you to explore the scenery and visit some fishing villages and caves.
- Is it possible to take this tour from Halong city instead of Hanoi?
Definitely yes. We will pick you up at Tuan Chau Marina at 11.50 a.m and the tour will end at 6.00 p.m. Then you can get on the shuttle bus back to Hanoi or go back to your accommodation by yourself.
- What time does the 1-day cruise return at the harbor? Can I have enough time to travel from here to Ninh Binh?
Yes, you can travel to Ninh Binh by limousine from the harbor. The cruise will dock at the harbor around 5.40 p.m to 6.10 p.m. From there, a limousine will leave around 6.30 p.m to 6.40 p.m and arrive in Ninh Binh about 9.00 p.m.
- What kinds of activities are included in Halong Bay day cruise tours?
There are many activities offered on a day cruise on Halong Bay, depending on the cruise operator and itinerary chosen. These can include kayaking, swimming, exploring caves, squid fishing, visiting fishing villages and tourist attractions, as well as enjoying live entertainment like performances of traditional Vietnamese music.
- Can I extend a Halong Bay day cruise tour?
Yes, of course. Many cruise operators allow tourists to extend their stay with a surcharge. This is a great way to make the most of your time so that you can participate in more activities or visit more tourist destinations. If you need any assistance, please contact us via Whatsapp.
- Are there any safety regulations on Halong Bay day cruises?
Yes, day cruises on Halong Bay take everyone’s safety extremely seriously, therefore it’s crucial to always follow the staff’s guidance.
In addition, life jackets must always be worn when on the water, and passengers must be mindful of the environment protection at all times.