{"id":3786,"date":"2020-08-07T16:24:32","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T16:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/halong-bay-vietnam-the-complete-travel-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T16:15:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:15:29","slug":"halong-bay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No trip to Vietnam is complete without a visit to <strong>Halong Bay<\/strong>, one of the country&#8217;s best-known places and one of its most recognizable images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this post we cover <strong>what to see in Halong Bay<\/strong>, how to visit the bay from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/hanoi\/\">Hanoi<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/cat-ba\/\">Cat Ba island<\/a><\/strong>, the types of <strong>cruises and boat tours<\/strong> available and what to look for when choosing the one that fits you best. You&#8217;ll also find practical tips and useful information for planning your visit to this corner of Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n  .vn-mini-panel{\n    background:#eceadf;\n    border:1px solid rgba(35,54,25,.15);\n    border-radius:14px;\n    padding:14px 16px;\n    margin:18px 0;\n    font:15px\/1.5 -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,Inter,Arial,sans-serif;\n    color:#233619;\n  }\n  .vn-mini-panel *{box-sizing:border-box;}\n  .vn-mini-title{\n    margin:0 0 10px 0;\n    font-size:17px;\n    line-height:1.25;\n    font-weight:800;\n    color:#233619;\n  }\n  .vn-mini-list{\n    margin:0;\n    padding:0;\n    list-style:none;\n    display:grid;\n    gap:8px;\n  }\n  .vn-mini-item{\n    padding:8px 10px;\n    border-radius:10px;\n    border:1px solid rgba(35,54,25,.12);\n    background:rgba(255,255,255,.45);\n  }\n  .vn-mini-item strong{\n    color:#233619;\n  }\n  .vn-mini-link{\n    color:#c12525;\n    font-weight:800;\n    text-decoration:underline;\n    text-underline-offset:3px;\n  }\n  .vn-mini-link:hover{opacity:.9;}\n  .vn-mini-link:focus{\n    outline:3px solid rgba(193,37,37,.28);\n    outline-offset:2px;\n    border-radius:6px;\n  }\n  @media (max-width:640px){\n    .vn-mini-panel{padding:12px 14px;}\n    .vn-mini-title{font-size:16px;}\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<section class=\"vn-mini-panel\" aria-label=\"Essential Halong Bay resources\">\n  <p class=\"vn-mini-title\"> Pick your Halong Bay tour or cruise in 30 seconds \u26f4\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n  <ul class=\"vn-mini-list\">\n    <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>1 DAY<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 If you&#8217;re short on time, check this\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-crucero-de-un-dia-por-la-bahia-de-ha-long-natacion-comida-kayak-t422336\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        1-day Halong Bay tour\n      <\/a> from Hanoi.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>2 DAYS \/ 1 NIGHT<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 The most balanced option is usually a\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-crucero-de-2-dias-por-las-bahias-de-ha-long-y-lan-ha-con-balcon-t205941\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        Halong Bay cruise with a night on board\n      <\/a> from Hanoi.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>3 DAYS<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Ideal if you want to combine a day in Ninh Binh\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-3-dias-en-ninh-binh-ha-long-y-crucero-5-estrellas-en-lan-ha-t474329\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        with 2 nights in Halong Bay<\/a> from Hanoi.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>FROM CAT BA ISLAND <\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 On a highly recommended\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/isla-cat-ba-l88916\/cat-ba-lanha-bay-1-dia-tour-completo-en-bici-kayak-cuevasalmuerzo-t634340\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        1-day tour\n      <\/a>.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>FROM CAT BA ISLAND<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 On a 2-day cruise\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/isla-cat-ba-l88916\/cat-ba-crucero-de-2-dias-por-la-bahia-de-lan-ha-con-actividades-y-comidas-t690287\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        around Lan Ha Bay\n      <\/a>.\n    <\/li>\n   <li class=\"vn-mini-item\">\n      <strong>BOOK YOUR TRANSFER TO CAT BA<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Here are\n      <a class=\"vn-mini-link\" href=\"https:\/\/12go.asia\/en\/travel\/Hanoi\/Cat-Ba-Town\/?z=4018868\"rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n        the schedules and options.\n      <\/a>.\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In this post<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a8237027967f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #233619;color:#233619\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #233619;color:#233619\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a8237027967f\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#the_best_halong_bay_cruises_which_one_to_choose\" >The best Halong Bay cruises: which one to choose<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#cruise_categories\" >Cruise categories<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#tips_for_choosing_a_halong_bay_boat_tour\" >Tips for choosing a Halong Bay boat tour<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#the_1-day_halong_bay_tour_is_it_worth_it\" >The 1-day Halong Bay tour: is it worth it?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#typical_itinerary_of_a_1-day_halong_bay_cruise\" >Typical itinerary of a 1-day Halong Bay cruise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#pros_of_the_1-day_halong_bay_tour\" >Pros of the 1-day Halong Bay tour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#cons_of_the_1-day_halong_bay_trip\" >Cons of the 1-day Halong Bay trip<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#2d1n_cruise_around_halong_bay\" >2D\/1N cruise around Halong Bay<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#advantages_of_the_2d1n_halong_bay_cruise\" >Advantages of the 2D\/1N Halong Bay cruise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#disadvantages_of_the_2d1n_halong_bay_cruise\" >Disadvantages of the 2D\/1N Halong Bay cruise<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#3-day_halong_bay_tour\" >3-day Halong Bay tour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#what_to_see_in_halong_bay_the_main_points_of_interest\" >What to see in Halong Bay: the main points of interest<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#sung_sot_cave\" >Sung Sot Cave<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#cua_van_floating_village\" >Cua Van floating village<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#luon_cave\" >Luon Cave<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#titop_island\" >Titop Island<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#dragon_eye_island\" >Dragon Eye Island<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#lan_ha_bay_the_beautiful_alternative_to_halong_bay\" >Lan Ha Bay, the beautiful alternative to Halong Bay<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#monkey_island\" >Monkey Island<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#ba_ham_lake\" >Ba Ham lake<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#ba_trai_dao\" >Ba Trai Dao<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#cat_ba_island_the_perfect_base_for_exploring_halong_bay\" >Cat Ba island, the perfect base for exploring Halong Bay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#bai_tu_long_bay_halong_bays_lesser-known_extension\" >Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay&#8217;s lesser-known extension<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#thay_cave\" >Thay Cave<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#vung_vieng_fishing_village\" >Vung Vieng Fishing Village<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#ban_chan_beach\" >Ban Chan Beach<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#thien_canh_son_cave\" >Thien Canh Son Cave<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#what_to_do_in_halong_bay_the_top_activities\" >What to do in Halong Bay: the top activities<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#1_explore_by_kayak\" >1. Explore by kayak<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#2_go_trekking\" >2. Go trekking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#3_cycle_around_cat_ba\" >3. Cycle around Cat Ba<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#4_unwind_in_the_boats_spa\" >4. Unwind in the boat&#8217;s spa<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#5_sleep_on_a_nearly_deserted_island\" >5. Sleep on a (nearly) deserted island<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#6_throw_yourself_a_party\" >6. Throw yourself a party<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#7_learn_vietnamese_cooking\" >7. Learn Vietnamese cooking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#8_watch_the_sunrise_and_sunset_a_must_in_the_bay\" >8. Watch the sunrise and sunset, a must in the bay<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#halong_bay_history_and_legend_of_one_of_the_7_natural_wonders_of_the_world\" >Halong Bay: history and legend of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#when_is_the_best_time_to_visit_halong_bay\" >When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#february_to_may_the_ideal_window_for_halong_bay\" >February to May, the ideal window for Halong Bay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#halong_bay_in_winter_december_to_february\" >Halong Bay in winter (December to February)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#halong_bay_in_summer_june_to_september\" >Halong Bay in summer (June to September)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_best_halong_bay_cruises_which_one_to_choose\"><\/span>The best Halong Bay cruises: which one to choose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Choosing a Halong Bay cruise<\/strong> can turn into a genuine odyssey if you&#8217;re not sure how to go about it. To spare you that, we&#8217;ve put together what are, in our view, some of the best boat tours in Halong Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because picking the right one <strong>isn&#8217;t just a question of price<\/strong>: the duration, the route, the type of boat and the level of comfort all weigh heavily on the final experience you&#8217;ll have during your visit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s a comparison table with <strong>our selection of Halong Bay cruises.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n  .vn-table-flat-wrap{\n    overflow-x:auto;\n    margin:24px 0;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat{\n    width:auto;\n    border-collapse:collapse;\n    background:#eceadf;\n    color:#233619;\n    font:16px\/1.6 -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,\"Segoe UI\",Roboto,Inter,Arial,sans-serif;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat thead th{\n    background:#233619;\n    color:#eceadf;\n    text-transform:uppercase;\n    letter-spacing:.04em;\n    font-weight:700;\n    font-size:13px;\n    padding:12px 14px;\n    text-align:left;\n    border-right:1px solid rgba(236,234,223,.15);\n    white-space:nowrap;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat thead th:last-child{\n    border-right:none;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat tbody td{\n    padding:16px 14px;\n    border-top:1px solid rgba(35,54,25,.18);\n    border-right:1px solid rgba(35,54,25,.12);\n    vertical-align:middle;\n    white-space:nowrap;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat tbody td:last-child{\n    border-right:none;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat tbody tr{\n    background:#eceadf;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat a{\n    color:#c12525;\n    font-weight:700;\n    text-decoration:none;\n  }\n\n  .vn-table-flat a:hover{\n    text-decoration:underline;\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"vn-table-flat-wrap\">\n  <table class=\"vn-table-flat\">\n    <thead>\n      <tr>\n        <th>Tour type<\/th>\n        <th>Price<\/th>\n        <th>Book<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>1-day tour (Standard)<\/td>\n        <td>1,300,000 VND (~US$50)<\/td>\n        <td>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-crucero-de-un-dia-por-la-bahia-de-ha-long-natacion-comida-kayak-t422336\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here<\/a>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>1-day tour (Premium)<\/td>\n        <td>2,000,000 VND (~US$77)<\/td>\n        <td>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/ha-long-l119790\/hanoi-crucero-de-un-dia-por-la-bahia-de-ha-long-y-la-bahia-de-lan-ha-en-taliya-t1049521\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here<\/a>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>2D\/1N cruise (Premium)<\/td>\n        <td>4,500,000 VND (~US$173)<\/td>\n        <td>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-crucero-de-2-dias-por-las-bahias-de-ha-long-y-lan-ha-con-balcon-t205941\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here<\/a>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>2D\/1N cruise (Luxury)<\/td>\n        <td>8,000,000 VND (~US$308)<\/td>\n        <td>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/desde-hanoi-crucero-halong-5-estrellas-de-2-dias-con-balcon-y-banera-t659753\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here<\/a>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>3D\/2N cruise (Premium)<\/td>\n        <td>6,800,000 VND (~US$262)<\/td>\n        <td>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-3-dias-en-ninh-binh-ha-long-y-crucero-5-estrellas-en-lan-ha-t474329\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\"\n             target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Here<\/a>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cruise_categories\"><\/span>Cruise categories<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something fundamental when booking a Halong Bay cruise is being clear about the <strong>boat&#8217;s category<\/strong>. Just like hotels, cruises are usually rated by <strong>stars (1 to 5)<\/strong>, and that category tends to reflect the condition of the boat and the level of service on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broadly, the formula is simple: more stars means <strong>a higher price<\/strong>, but also a better chance of a well-maintained boat, more comfortable cabins and a more professional operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if you&#8217;re on a tighter budget, we recommend <strong>avoiding cruises below 3 stars<\/strong>, especially if you&#8217;re spending the night on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of boats in Halong Bay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junk boat (Vietnam&#8217;s traditional vessel)<br><\/strong>The junk is a type of boat <strong>typical of Southeast Asia<\/strong> and one of the most recognizable thanks to its distinctive shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s a vessel traditionally <strong>used in times past for trade and transport<\/strong>, though today you can still sail on some that have been adapted for tourism, especially in the higher categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Western-style&#8221; cruise ship (the classic one)<br><\/strong>The kind that comes to mind when someone says &#8220;cruise&#8221;, though somewhat smaller in size to suit the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They tend to be <strong>modern, with a more &#8220;hotel-like&#8221; layout<\/strong>, although the experience depends more on the boat&#8217;s actual category (and its maintenance) than on the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cruceros-halong-bay.jpg\" alt=\"crucero en la bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-4290\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"tips_for_choosing_a_halong_bay_boat_tour\"><\/span>Tips for choosing a Halong Bay boat tour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As in many crowded tourist destinations, Halong Bay <strong>has no shortage of travelers who&#8217;ve had bad experiences: scams, poor-quality services or promises that never materialize<\/strong> \u2014 turning what should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience into something far less pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vv-seguro\">\n  <p class=\"vv-seg-kicker\">A quick tip before you continue<\/p>\n  <h4>Don&#8217;t gamble with your health in Vietnam<\/h4>\n  <p>A medical surprise far from home gets expensive. We always travel insured with <strong>Heymondo<\/strong>: medical cover, 24\/7 assistance and protection against setbacks like delays or lost luggage.<\/p>\n  <p><a class=\"vv-seg-enlace\" href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=AVENTURATEAVIAJAR&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=AVENTURATEAVIAJAR&amp;ag_campaign=VIAJARPORVIETNAM&amp;agencia=7b8661798dc1dcb30588ad3dc792cc38ef05\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Get yours with a 5% discount \u2192<\/a> <span class=\"vv-seg-nota\">\u00b7 applied automatically through this link<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help you avoid that, here are the <strong>key tips for choosing your Halong Bay cruise well<\/strong> and getting the most out of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Check how much time you&#8217;ll actually spend in the bay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is key, above all on day trips. Often, a large share of the time goes to transfers from Hanoi rather than being on board or exploring the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before booking, <strong>look carefully at how much effective time you&#8217;ll spend sailing or doing activities in Halong Bay<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid tours that promise a lot but barely let you enjoy the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Check carefully what the tour includes (and what it doesn&#8217;t)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before booking, make sure you&#8217;re clear on what&#8217;s included in the cruise price and what isn&#8217;t. It&#8217;s easy to run into unexpected surcharges for activities, meals or services you assumed were covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heads up: <strong>most tours don&#8217;t include drinks<\/strong> \u2014 not even water \u2014 and some activities like kayaking or cave visits may come at an extra cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If something doesn&#8217;t add up during the trip or isn&#8217;t as you expected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stay calm and keep it civil \u2014 losing your temper won&#8217;t help your case.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try to communicate with the staff on board and resolve the problem on the spot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it can&#8217;t be resolved, once your cruise ends, claim from the provider or agency for the included services you weren&#8217;t able to enjoy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Be wary of bargains<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An all-inclusive cruise for a ridiculous price? No thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Vietnam, as anywhere, <strong>cheap tends to come out expensive<\/strong>. And in Halong Bay this holds perfectly true: if someone offers you an &#8220;unmissable deal&#8221;, you&#8217;ll most likely end up either losing money or ruining your experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tour prices are generally fair for what they offer. If you see something far below the usual range, there&#8217;s probably a catch: services that don&#8217;t exist, a boat in poor condition, or outright scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our advice: <strong>don&#8217;t skimp on this part of the trip<\/strong>. Halong Bay is one of those places where it&#8217;s worth investing a little more. You&#8217;ll save elsewhere along the route \u2014 Vietnam is very affordable when it comes to transport, food and accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To give you an idea, these are the minimum reference prices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1-day trip:<\/strong> From 1,200,000 VND (~US$46)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2-day, 1-night cruise<\/strong>: From 3,000,000 VND (~US$115)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Beware of booking at the Hai Phong port<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heading to the Hai Phong port on your own with the idea of booking a cruise right there might seem like a way to save money\u2026 but <strong>it doesn&#8217;t always end well<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local rackets operate in this area, preying on travelers without a prior booking, and <strong>scams are frequent<\/strong>: from ghost tours to boats in dreadful condition or last-minute price changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our advice: <strong>don&#8217;t improvise<\/strong>. Always book with a trusted agency or website, or one with clear reviews and ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Theft<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although it&#8217;s <strong>far from common<\/strong>, there have occasionally been cases of theft during Halong Bay cruises. To avoid any upsets, the best approach is combining common sense with basic precautions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don&#8217;t flaunt your valuables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep your money on you at all times \u2014 if you&#8217;re traveling with a lot of cash, consider buying a waterproof pouch beforehand so you can carry it with you at every moment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Be patient with the crowds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Halong Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam<\/strong> \u2014 and in the entire world \u2014 so if you were hoping to sail the area alone, know that this almost certainly won&#8217;t be the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather, you&#8217;ll be sharing the boat and the sights with crowds of other tourists who, like you, have come from all over the world to see it. So be patient, be respectful, and try to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay regardless of how many people are around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re someone who&#8217;s easily bothered by mass tourism, we have to tell you: Halong Bay is not the place for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-en-grupo-1.jpg\" alt=\"visitando halong bay con un grupo\" class=\"wp-image-4296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-en-grupo-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-en-grupo-1-300x226.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-en-grupo-1-768x578.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_1-day_halong_bay_tour_is_it_worth_it\"><\/span>The 1-day Halong Bay tour: is it worth it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The day trip is <strong>the fastest and simplest way to see Halong Bay<\/strong>, and the most common option for those traveling on limited time or who&#8217;d rather spend it getting to know other parts of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tours usually <strong>depart from Hanoi<\/strong>, where countless agencies and accommodations offer them, so they&#8217;re easy to book even at short notice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a general rule, they include <strong>pickup at your accommodation<\/strong>, the <strong>round-trip transfer to the port<\/strong> and a <strong>boat route through the bay lasting several hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most trips also include <strong>lunch on board<\/strong> and some simple activity, such as <strong>kayaking<\/strong> or a short <strong>Vietnamese cooking class<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"typical_itinerary_of_a_1-day_halong_bay_cruise\"><\/span>Typical itinerary of a 1-day Halong Bay cruise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most day tours follow a fairly similar itinerary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Early departure from Hanoi<\/strong> and road transfer (about 2.5-3.5 hours) to the Halong port.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boarding and lunch on board<\/strong>, right as you start sailing through the bay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along the route, the norm is <strong>three stops<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ti Top Island<\/strong> \u2013 with a panoramic viewpoint and a small beach for a swim, weather permitting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sung Sot Cave<\/strong> \u2013 the most famous cave in Halong Bay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Luon Cave<\/strong> \u2013 where you can paddle into the inner lagoon by kayak or rowboat.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the visits are done, the boat returns to port at sunset, and from there the transfer back to Hanoi begins, arriving after dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"pros_of_the_1-day_halong_bay_tour\"><\/span>Pros of the 1-day Halong Bay tour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It lets you see Halong Bay in <strong>very little time<\/strong> \u2014 ideal if you&#8217;re on a tight schedule or want to spend it on other parts of Vietnam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s usually the <strong>cheapest<\/strong> way to visit the bay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It includes <strong>transport to and from Hanoi<\/strong>, saving you headaches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s easy to book, even <strong>at very short notice<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cons_of_the_1-day_halong_bay_trip\"><\/span>Cons of the 1-day Halong Bay trip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The actual sailing time in the bay is more <strong>limited<\/strong> than on 2-day tours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You visit the <strong>busiest areas<\/strong>, so crowds are common, especially in high season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You don&#8217;t get to enjoy the <strong>sunrise<\/strong> from the boat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The boat is smaller \u2014 so on one hand you&#8217;ll travel with fewer people, but the comforts are fewer too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The food tends to be on the poor side.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2d1n_cruise_around_halong_bay\"><\/span>2D\/1N cruise around Halong Bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have a little more time or want the experience of sleeping aboard a Halong Bay cruise, these tours tend to be a very popular choice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On two-day, one-night tours the route is usually <strong>very similar to the day trips<\/strong>, but with the activities spread across both days and including <strong>dinner and breakfast on board.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main appeal of visiting Halong Bay on a two-day tour is the chance to <strong>watch the sunrise from the boat<\/strong> \u2014 something you can&#8217;t do on a single-day trip. Weather permitting, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"advantages_of_the_2d1n_halong_bay_cruise\"><\/span>Advantages of the 2D\/1N Halong Bay cruise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the weather cooperates, you can watch the sunrise over the bay \u2014 so don&#8217;t be lazy, set that alarm (remember the sun rises around 5:30 am in Vietnam).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some 2D\/1N tours cover both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, so you can visit the two of them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The boat is bigger and more comfortable than on the day tours.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"disadvantages_of_the_2d1n_halong_bay_cruise\"><\/span>Disadvantages of the 2D\/1N Halong Bay cruise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The price is considerably higher than the 1-day tour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It takes at least two days of your trip, which means taking them away from other places on your <a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/vietnam-itinerary-15-days\/\">Vietnam travel itinerary<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On many of them, the itinerary is very similar to the 1-day cruise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The best-rated tours sell out fast \u2014 cabins are limited, so if you don&#8217;t book ahead it&#8217;s easy to find them full.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bahia-de-halong-grupo.webp\" alt=\"vistas de halong bay desde sung sot cave\" class=\"wp-image-4288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bahia-de-halong-grupo.webp 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bahia-de-halong-grupo-300x226.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bahia-de-halong-grupo-768x578.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-day_halong_bay_tour\"><\/span>3-day Halong Bay tour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re thinking of visiting Halong Bay on a tour of more than two days, the most important thing is being clear on <strong>which areas are covered and which activities are included<\/strong>, since the options can vary quite a bit depending on the itinerary and the boat you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On three-day tours it&#8217;s common to see both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;d rather not spend all three days on board, there are very interesting options combining <strong>two days of sailing with one day in <a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/ninh-binh\/\">Ninh Binh<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 a common alternative among the tours in our selection of best cruises, and a great fit if you&#8217;re short on time to visit both places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of this also translates into a <strong>higher price<\/strong> \u2014 keep that in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halongbay-panoramica.webp\" alt=\"panoramica de halong bay\" class=\"wp-image-4293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halongbay-panoramica.webp 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halongbay-panoramica-300x167.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halongbay-panoramica-768x428.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_to_see_in_halong_bay_the_main_points_of_interest\"><\/span>What to see in Halong Bay: the main points of interest<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Halong Bay is essentially a vast seascape scattered with islets, which you sail among while stopping off to see some of its unmissable places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planning a visit to Halong Bay can get a bit confusing, but if you&#8217;d rather keep it simple, the most common way to visit is on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/hanoi-l205\/hanoi-crucero-de-un-dia-por-la-bahia-de-ha-long-natacion-comida-kayak-t422336\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&#038;utm_medium=travel_agent&#038;cmp=halong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">a day trip from Hanoi<\/a> or sleeping aboard a multi-day cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what is without doubt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/activity\/-t198013?partner_id=RY2YHEV&amp;date_from=2024-09-23&amp;_pc=1,1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">our favorite two-day cruise<\/a>, though there are others with strong reviews such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.civitatis.com\/en\/hanoi\/ha-long-bay-two-day-cruise\/?aid=11891\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">this 2-day option.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several areas and bays you can visit during your stay, among them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Halong Bay:<\/strong> The original, and the first to develop tourism. It&#8217;s the best known \u2014 and at times somewhat saturated \u2014 but packed with interesting places.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bai Tu Long Bay<\/strong>: Northeast of Halong Bay and known as &#8220;the dragon&#8217;s children&#8221;, it offers quieter cruises and plenty of caves and fishing villages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lan Ha Bay:<\/strong> South of Halong Bay, it shares the same limestone-karst geography, but it&#8217;s somewhat less known and less visited \u2014 which makes it more peaceful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cat Ba island:<\/strong> The largest island in the region, famous for its national park and adventure activities like hiking and cycling, and a great base for excursions around the different bays. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve already made up your mind to visit Halong Bay, here&#8217;s a rundown of the <strong>main points of interest<\/strong> that make up the bay, all of which you can see on your cruise or day trip around the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sung-sot-cave-halong-bay.jpg\" alt=\"sung sot cave bah\u00eda de halong\" class=\"wp-image-609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sung-sot-cave-halong-bay.jpg 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sung-sot-cave-halong-bay-300x209.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sung-sot-cave-halong-bay-768x534.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"sung_sot_cave\"><\/span> Sung Sot Cave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Located on Bon Hon island, this is <strong>one of the most spectacular caves you can visit in Halong Bay.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its enormous interior is packed with stalactites, stalagmites and other spectacular formations. It&#8217;s included in practically every tour of the bay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cua-van-floating-village-halong-bay.webp\" alt=\"cua va pueblo flotante en halong bay\" class=\"wp-image-591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cua-van-floating-village-halong-bay.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cua-van-floating-village-halong-bay-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cua-van-floating-village-halong-bay-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cua_van_floating_village\"><\/span>Cua Van floating village<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of all the floating fishing villages found around Halong Bay, Cua Van is <strong>one of the largest and most visited of them all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Set against a backdrop full of romance, it&#8217;s without doubt a great place to learn about the culture and way of life of these families.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/luon-cave.jpg\" alt=\"luon cave en halong bay\" class=\"wp-image-593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/luon-cave.jpg 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/luon-cave-300x212.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/luon-cave-768x541.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"luon_cave\"><\/span>Luon Cave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very close to Sung Sot cave lies Luon Cave, <strong>a maze of passages between islands that&#8217;s normally explored on a kayak excursion. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don&#8217;t feel comfortable paddling, many companies offer the option of touring the area in a traditional bamboo boat, no rowing required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/titop-island.jpg\" alt=\"tiptop island en la bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/titop-island.jpg 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/titop-island-300x189.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/titop-island-768x485.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"titop_island\"><\/span>Titop Island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commonly nicknamed the cemetery island, as the story goes that the sailors of a French ship wrecked in the area were buried here. Today it&#8217;s one of the many islands you can visit in Halong Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This small islet is one of the main stops en route, where you can <strong>enjoy the beach or climb its nearly 500 steps to take in the views from the very top. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/drangon-eye-island-bahia-halong.webp\" alt=\"dragon eye island bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/drangon-eye-island-bahia-halong.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/drangon-eye-island-bahia-halong-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/drangon-eye-island-bahia-halong-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"dragon_eye_island\"><\/span>Dragon Eye Island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sitting <strong>on the border between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay<\/strong>, this spectacular island offers white-sand beaches to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But its main attraction is <strong>a small, circular lake<\/strong> in the middle of the island, whose breathtaking views will leave you amazed<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"lan_ha_bay_the_beautiful_alternative_to_halong_bay\"><\/span>Lan Ha Bay, the beautiful alternative to Halong Bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located <strong>southeast of Halong<\/strong>, <strong>Lan Ha Bay<\/strong> stretches alongside the famous bay and <strong>shares an almost identical landscape<\/strong>, with <strong>karst formations<\/strong> and a well-preserved natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The big difference between the two is Lan Ha Bay&#8217;s <strong>smaller flow of visitors<\/strong>, which makes it a calmer, less crowded option for exploring the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lan Ha Bay counts <strong>more than 400 islets<\/strong>, so it works perfectly both as an <strong>alternative to Halong Bay<\/strong> and for <strong>combining the two in a single trip<\/strong>, especially if you set out from Cat Ba island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monkey-island-lan-ha-bay.webp\" alt=\"monkey island bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monkey-island-lan-ha-bay.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monkey-island-lan-ha-bay-300x183.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/monkey-island-lan-ha-bay-768x469.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"monkey_island\"><\/span>Monkey Island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the best-known places in Lan Ha Bay is Monkey Island. Fairly large in size, the island <strong>sits barely 1 km from Cat Ba island<\/strong>, and you can reach it from there via the Beo pier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This mountainous island is <strong>ringed by beaches and known in the local language as Cat Dua, after the many pineapple plants that grow<\/strong> naturally here \u2014 though it&#8217;s been popularized as Monkey Island thanks to the monkeys thriving in its habitat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ba-ham-lake.webp\" alt=\"lago ba ham bahia de lan ha\" class=\"wp-image-587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ba-ham-lake.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ba-ham-lake-300x156.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ba-ham-lake-768x400.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ba_ham_lake\"><\/span> Ba Ham lake<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formed by three small connected lakes and reachable by kayak or bamboo boat through a tunnel under the rock, <strong>Ba Ham lake is one of the most surprising places to visit in Lan Ha Bay.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once inside you&#8217;ll find yourself surrounded by vertical walls nearly 30 m high, hung with stalactites, and an opening through which the light pours in \u2014 making this one of the most beautiful and captivating landscapes you can visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bai-trai-dao-playa.webp\" alt=\"bai trai dao en lan ha bay\" class=\"wp-image-588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bai-trai-dao-playa.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bai-trai-dao-playa-300x177.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bai-trai-dao-playa-768x454.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ba_trai_dao\"><\/span>Ba Trai Dao<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s actually <strong>3 small islets that make up this spot, visited mainly for its views<\/strong>. Legend has it that a fairy from heaven fell in love with a fisherman and decided to steal three peaches for him. When the King of Heaven found out, he flew into a rage and turned them to stone \u2014 forming the 3 small islets you can see today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cat_ba_island_the_perfect_base_for_exploring_halong_bay\"><\/span>Cat Ba island, the perfect base for exploring Halong Bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/cat-ba\/\"><strong>Cat Ba<\/strong> <\/a>is the main island of the archipelago and is well worth a visit in its own right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has enough attractions to fill several days, and many travelers choose it as a <strong>base for exploring the nearby bays<\/strong>, such as Lan Ha or Halong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re traveling with time to spare and prefer a slower pace, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/cat-ba\/how-to-get-to-cat-ba\/\">getting to Cat Ba<\/a> and spending 2 or 3 days here<\/strong>, combining island outings with a cruise around the bay, is one of the best ways to discover this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of its advantages is that <strong>cruises tend to be slightly cheaper departing from Cat Ba<\/strong>. However, <strong>getting here takes more logistics and time<\/strong>, so if you&#8217;re tight on days it may not be the most practical option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/isla-cat-ba-l88916\/cat-ba-lanha-bay-1-dia-tour-completo-en-bici-kayak-cuevasalmuerzo-t634340\/?partner_id=RY2YHEV&amp;utm_medium=travel_agent&amp;cmp=halong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">book your tour departing from Cat Ba<\/a><\/strong> or check our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/cat-ba\/\">complete article on Cat Ba<\/a><\/strong> to plan your visit better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Cat Ba island from Hanoi<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can reach Cat Ba island by bus from Hanoi or other cities offering combined tickets for the transfer, which include the ride to the port, the ferry ticket and the bus on Cat Ba to whichever part of the island your accommodation is in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can check bus schedules from Hanoi to Cat Ba island <a href=\"https:\/\/12go.com\/en\/travel\/hanoi\/cat-ba-island\/?z=4018868&amp;sub_id=catba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">at this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"bai_tu_long_bay_halong_bays_lesser-known_extension\"><\/span>Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay&#8217;s lesser-known extension<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bai Tu Long Bay stretches northeast of Halong Bay as a prolongation of it. <\/strong>In this area you can enjoy the sights in far greater peace, since the number of tourists visiting is much lower than in other parts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thay-cave-in-bai-tui-long.webp\" alt=\"tay cave en bai tiu long bay\" class=\"wp-image-596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thay-cave-in-bai-tui-long.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thay-cave-in-bai-tui-long-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thay-cave-in-bai-tui-long-768x513.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"thay_cave\"><\/span>Thay Cave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Known for the unique shapes of its stalactites,<\/strong> Thay Cave is one of the many caves scattered across the area. It reaches depths of up to 150 m, which makes exploring it an interesting experience if you&#8217;re touring Bai Tu Long Bay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/vung-vieng-fhising-village-bahia-halong.webp\" alt=\"vung vieng bah\u00eda de halong\" class=\"wp-image-610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/vung-vieng-fhising-village-bahia-halong.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/vung-vieng-fhising-village-bahia-halong-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/vung-vieng-fhising-village-bahia-halong-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"vung_vieng_fishing_village\"><\/span>Vung Vieng Fishing Village<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the very heart of this bay, <strong>surrounded by breathtaking karst pinnacles<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll find this little-visited floating fishing village, reachable only by boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This special place gets <strong>fewer visitors than other floating villages in the area<\/strong>, and it&#8217;s a great spot to discover the singular life on the water of the roughly 50 families who call the village home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"492\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ban-chan-beach.webp\" alt=\"ban chan beach bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ban-chan-beach.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ban-chan-beach-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ban-chan-beach-768x472.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ban_chan_beach\"><\/span>Ban Chan Beach<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Without doubt one of the best beaches in the area \u2014 and probably among the best you&#8217;ll find in Vietnam<\/strong>. Emerald-green waters and white sand lend the landscape a magical touch and make this beach well worth adding to your visit, above all for the far smaller number of tourists you&#8217;ll encounter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thien-canh-son-cave.webp\" alt=\"cueva de thien canh son bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thien-canh-son-cave.webp 800w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thien-canh-son-cave-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/thien-canh-son-cave-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"thien_canh_son_cave\"><\/span>Thien Canh Son Cave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located on Cong Do island \u2014 to reach it <strong>you&#8217;ll have to climb 100 steep steps<\/strong> along a trail, but the effort is rewarded by the multitude of stalactites you&#8217;ll find hanging from its walls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_to_do_in_halong_bay_the_top_activities\"><\/span>What to do in Halong Bay: the top activities <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_explore_by_kayak\"><\/span>1. Explore by kayak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there&#8217;s one star activity in Halong Bay, it&#8217;s kayaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost all cruises offer it, since it&#8217;s the only way to access certain <strong>caves and inner lagoons such as Luon Cave<\/strong>, where the boats can&#8217;t enter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can&#8217;t kayak, or would rather not? No problem: on many tours you can opt for a <strong>guided rowboat<\/strong> instead \u2014 ideal if you prefer something more relaxed or you&#8217;re traveling with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/kayak-bahia-de-halong.webp\" alt=\"Kayak en Halong bay durante una viaje en grupo\" class=\"wp-image-4295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/kayak-bahia-de-halong.webp 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/kayak-bahia-de-halong-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/kayak-bahia-de-halong-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_go_trekking\"><\/span>2. Go trekking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the cruises, there are also a few chances to stretch your legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the short but steep <strong>climb to the Ti Top Island viewpoint<\/strong> to the hiking trails through <strong>Cat Ba National Park<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll have several opportunities to explore the area&#8217;s corners on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_cycle_around_cat_ba\"><\/span>3. Cycle around Cat Ba<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hopping on a bicycle to explore Cat Ba island is one of the best ways to see many of its attractions,<\/strong> riding deep along its trails and reaching the different places waiting for you across the length and breadth of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can do it on your own or book one of the many guided tours available, which will lead you through the different areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We cover it in detail in <a href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/cat-ba\/\">this other article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_unwind_in_the_boats_spa\"><\/span>4. Unwind in the boat&#8217;s spa<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Relaxing in the boat&#8217;s open-air jacuzzi while sailing through the stunning scenery of Halong Bay is without doubt <strong>a luxury increasingly within reach of all kinds of travelers<\/strong> \u2014 many cruises, especially the 2-day ones, now include this service as part of your trip around the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_sleep_on_a_nearly_deserted_island\"><\/span>5. Sleep on a (nearly) deserted island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the sheer number of islands scattered across the area, <strong>it isn&#8217;t hard to find an agency offering the chance to spend the night on one of them.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s mainly the multi-day cruises that offer island overnights \u2014 a good option to keep in mind if you&#8217;re not a big fan of ship cabins, or simply prefer a night right on the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_throw_yourself_a_party\"><\/span>6. Throw yourself a party<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many cruises organize <strong>parties on board after dark<\/strong>, designed for socializing, having a few drinks and meeting other travelers in a more laid-back atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, <strong>drinks aren&#8217;t usually included<\/strong> in the tour, and prices on board <strong>can be quite steep<\/strong> compared with the rest of Vietnam. Keep that in mind if your budget is tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_learn_vietnamese_cooking\"><\/span>7. Learn Vietnamese cooking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you book a multi-day Halong Bay cruise, it would be unusual for it not to include a Vietnamese cooking class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It&#8217;s certainly a good way to get acquainted with the country&#8217;s gastronomy<\/strong> and to practice your skills in the exquisite way Vietnam cooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_watch_the_sunrise_and_sunset_a_must_in_the_bay\"><\/span>8. Watch the sunrise and sunset, a must in the bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you take a <strong>day trip<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll watch the <strong>sunset from the boat<\/strong> on the way back to port \u2014 and that alone is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If instead you choose a <strong>two-day tour and spend the night on board<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll also get the chance to <strong>see the sunrise<\/strong>\u2026 as long as you get up early. Bear in mind that sunrise in Vietnam falls between <strong>5:00 and 6:00 am<\/strong>, depending on the time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/atardecer-bahia-halong-1.jpg\" alt=\"atardecer en halong bay\" class=\"wp-image-4297\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sunset in Halong Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"halong_bay_history_and_legend_of_one_of_the_7_natural_wonders_of_the_world\"><\/span>Halong Bay: history and legend of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Halong Bay<\/strong> sits in the <strong>Gulf of Tonkin<\/strong>, in the province of <strong>Quang Ninh<\/strong>, in northeastern Vietnam. This breathtaking natural landscape holds around 1,600 islands and islets, most of them still uninhabited to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name <strong>&#8220;Ha Long&#8221;<\/strong> translates roughly as <strong>&#8220;descending dragon&#8221;<\/strong>. In Vietnamese culture it&#8217;s tied to a legend linking this place and its peculiar shapes to dragons that descended from the sky to help the Vietnamese people fight off foreign invaders and protect their land \u2014 spitting fire and jade which, over time, turned into the imposing limestone formations that now define the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Legends aside, from a scientific standpoint Halong Bay is a spectacular example of a <strong>highly evolved <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Karst\">karst landscape<\/a><\/strong>. These <strong>limestone formations have been sculpted over millennia by erosion<\/strong> and other natural processes, creating an environment that is unique and visually stunning to our eyes today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Halong Bay is unquestionably one of the essential places to see in Vietnam. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is considered by many to be one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New7Wonders_of_Nature\">7 wonders of the natural world.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-vietnam-vistas.webp\" alt=\"vistas de la bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-4294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-vietnam-vistas.webp 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-vietnam-vistas-300x226.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-vietnam-vistas-768x578.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when_is_the_best_time_to_visit_halong_bay\"><\/span>When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing well when to travel to Halong Bay can make the difference between a beautiful experience and a boat ride through the clouds. Here&#8217;s what to expect from each season in Halong Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"february_to_may_the_ideal_window_for_halong_bay\"><\/span>February to May, the ideal window for Halong Bay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best time to visit Halong Bay is usually between <strong>February and May<\/strong>. These months bring more stable weather, clear skies and pleasant temperatures: ideal conditions for sailing and enjoying the landscape without mist or rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, <strong>any time of year can be good for visiting Halong Bay<\/strong>. The weather in northern Vietnam is unpredictable, and dry season is no guarantee of sunshine. You can get gray days in April or clear skies in July. Best to go with an open mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"halong_bay_in_winter_december_to_february\"><\/span>Halong Bay in winter (December to February)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visiting Halong in winter has its pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest drawback is the cold. While temperatures aren&#8217;t extreme, the combination of wind, humidity and being out on the water can make it feel sharper. Lows hover around 8-10 \u00b0C (46-50 \u00b0F). It&#8217;s no Siberia, but it&#8217;s worth <strong>packing warm clothes<\/strong>, especially for nights on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The upside? Fewer tourists, and visibility often improves thanks to the cleaner air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"halong_bay_in_summer_june_to_september\"><\/span>Halong Bay in summer (June to September)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer coincides with <strong>monsoon<\/strong> season. It rains frequently, temperatures run high and humidity is intense. It may not sound like the best time for a cruise around the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, it&#8217;s domestic high season, and <strong>the crowds keep coming<\/strong>. If you&#8217;re traveling on these dates, the ideal approach is to <strong>pick the most stable day<\/strong> according to the weather forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rain shouldn&#8217;t ruin your experience, but it can limit the views or certain outdoor activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"741\" src=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/crucero-halon-bay-atardecer.webp\" alt=\"viendo el atardecer desde el crucero en la bahia de halong\" class=\"wp-image-4289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/crucero-halon-bay-atardecer.webp 1024w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/crucero-halon-bay-atardecer-300x217.webp 300w, https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/crucero-halon-bay-atardecer-768x556.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770283593985\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is Halong Bay really worth visiting, or is it too touristy?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam&#8217;s most iconic areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the natural wonders of the world for its landscape.<br\/><br\/>Although it&#8217;s a heavily visited destination and can feel crowded in high season, it remains a breathtaking experience for most travelers.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770282313332\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How many days are recommended for visiting Halong Bay?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The one-day tour is ideal if you&#8217;re short on time, letting you see the essentials of Halong Bay and enjoy the sunset from the boat. <br\/><br\/>If you have more time, go for a 2-day, 1-night cruise, the most balanced option for the full experience: sleeping in the bay and watching the sunrise the next day.<br\/><br\/>If you&#8217;re traveling unhurried, 3 days or more will let you combine Halong Bay with other areas such as <strong>Lan Ha Bay<\/strong>, <strong>Cat Ba<\/strong> island or Ninh Binh.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770057448816\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s the average price of a Halong Bay cruise in 2026?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Prices vary by duration and boat category. A one-day tour from Hanoi generally runs between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 VND (~US$38-77). <br\/><br\/>For a 2-day, 1-night cruise, prices on 4- or 5-star boats usually start at 4,000,000-6,000,000 VND (~US$154-231) per person; for something more luxurious they can reach 8,000,000 VND (~US$308).<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Information reviewed and last updated on February 2, 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No trip to Vietnam is complete without a visit to Halong Bay, one of the country&#8217;s best-known places and one of its most recognizable images. In this post we cover what to see in Halong Bay, how to visit the bay from Hanoi or Cat Ba island, the types of cruises and boat tours available &#8230; <a title=\"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4306,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3786","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Viajar por Vietnam\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Viajar-por-Vietnam-100445581672930\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1063\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"24 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Diego\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3e0137cb7221c7948312a53ba2cf1c3d\"},\"headline\":\"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-07T16:24:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":4623,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"ItemPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/\",\"name\":\"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-08-07T16:24:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770283593985\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770282313332\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770057448816\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp\",\"width\":1063,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"halong bay guia de barcos, tours y cruceros\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Viajar por Vietnam\",\"description\":\"Vietnam travel blog for independent travelers\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Viajar por Vietnam\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/viajar-por-vietnam-logotipo-nuevo.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/viajar-por-vietnam-logotipo-nuevo.webp\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":1024,\"caption\":\"Viajar por Vietnam\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Viajar-por-Vietnam-100445581672930\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/viajar_por_vietnam\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCY71StkTA6x6M7kfR6frTdg\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3e0137cb7221c7948312a53ba2cf1c3d\",\"name\":\"Diego\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Diego\"},\"description\":\"Viajero con especial debilidad por Asia. Llegu\u00e9 a Vietnam en 2019 y desde entonces he vuelto cada a\u00f1o, hasta convertirlo en uno de mis lugares de residencia: paso buena parte del a\u00f1o instalado en Ho Chi Minh City. Desde aqu\u00ed recorro el pa\u00eds por dentro, con calma, y escribo las gu\u00edas de Viajar por Vietnam \u2014itinerarios, transporte y consejos pr\u00e1cticos\u2014 basadas en lo que compruebo sobre el terreno.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/quienes-somos\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/rekuenk\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770283593985\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770283593985\",\"name\":\"Is Halong Bay really worth visiting, or is it too touristy?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most iconic areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the natural wonders of the world for its landscape.<br\\\/><br\\\/>Although it's a heavily visited destination and can feel crowded in high season, it remains a breathtaking experience for most travelers.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770282313332\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770282313332\",\"name\":\"How many days are recommended for visiting Halong Bay?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The one-day tour is ideal if you're short on time, letting you see the essentials of Halong Bay and enjoy the sunset from the boat. <br\\\/><br\\\/>If you have more time, go for a 2-day, 1-night cruise, the most balanced option for the full experience: sleeping in the bay and watching the sunrise the next day.<br\\\/><br\\\/>If you're traveling unhurried, 3 days or more will let you combine Halong Bay with other areas such as <strong>Lan Ha Bay<\\\/strong>, <strong>Cat Ba<\\\/strong> island or Ninh Binh.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770057448816\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/viajarvietnam.com\\\/en\\\/halong-bay\\\/#faq-question-1770057448816\",\"name\":\"What's the average price of a Halong Bay cruise in 2026?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Prices vary by duration and boat category. A one-day tour from Hanoi generally runs between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 VND (~US$38-77). <br\\\/><br\\\/>For a 2-day, 1-night cruise, prices on 4- or 5-star boats usually start at 4,000,000-6,000,000 VND (~US$154-231) per person; for something more luxurious they can reach 8,000,000 VND (~US$308).\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see","description":"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see","og_description":"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.","og_url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/","og_site_name":"Viajar por Vietnam","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Viajar-por-Vietnam-100445581672930","article_modified_time":"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1063,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"24 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/"},"author":{"name":"Diego","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/3e0137cb7221c7948312a53ba2cf1c3d"},"headline":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see","datePublished":"2020-08-07T16:24:32+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/"},"wordCount":4623,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","ItemPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/","url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/","name":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp","datePublished":"2020-08-07T16:24:32+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-21T16:15:29+00:00","description":"Discover what to do in Ha Long Bay, how to visit from Hanoi, and which cruise or tour is best for you. Plan your perfect trip to Ha Long Bay with our complete guide.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770283593985"},{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770282313332"},{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770057448816"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/halong-bay-guia-cruceros.webp","width":1063,"height":800,"caption":"halong bay guia de barcos, tours y cruceros"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Halong Bay travel guide: cruises, prices and what to see"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/","name":"Viajar por Vietnam","description":"Vietnam travel blog for independent travelers","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#organization","name":"Viajar por Vietnam","url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/viajar-por-vietnam-logotipo-nuevo.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/viajar-por-vietnam-logotipo-nuevo.webp","width":1024,"height":1024,"caption":"Viajar por Vietnam"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Viajar-por-Vietnam-100445581672930","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/viajar_por_vietnam","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCY71StkTA6x6M7kfR6frTdg"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/3e0137cb7221c7948312a53ba2cf1c3d","name":"Diego","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/20a3bb2a40df721a1ff0c24d07befac44007144dd0f5c6e3b2ca98500b81e579?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Diego"},"description":"Viajero con especial debilidad por Asia. Llegu\u00e9 a Vietnam en 2019 y desde entonces he vuelto cada a\u00f1o, hasta convertirlo en uno de mis lugares de residencia: paso buena parte del a\u00f1o instalado en Ho Chi Minh City. Desde aqu\u00ed recorro el pa\u00eds por dentro, con calma, y escribo las gu\u00edas de Viajar por Vietnam \u2014itinerarios, transporte y consejos pr\u00e1cticos\u2014 basadas en lo que compruebo sobre el terreno.","sameAs":["https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/quienes-somos\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rekuenk"],"url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770283593985","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770283593985","name":"Is Halong Bay really worth visiting, or is it too touristy?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most iconic areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the natural wonders of the world for its landscape.<br\/><br\/>Although it's a heavily visited destination and can feel crowded in high season, it remains a breathtaking experience for most travelers.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770282313332","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770282313332","name":"How many days are recommended for visiting Halong Bay?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The one-day tour is ideal if you're short on time, letting you see the essentials of Halong Bay and enjoy the sunset from the boat. <br\/><br\/>If you have more time, go for a 2-day, 1-night cruise, the most balanced option for the full experience: sleeping in the bay and watching the sunrise the next day.<br\/><br\/>If you're traveling unhurried, 3 days or more will let you combine Halong Bay with other areas such as <strong>Lan Ha Bay<\/strong>, <strong>Cat Ba<\/strong> island or Ninh Binh.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770057448816","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/halong-bay\/#faq-question-1770057448816","name":"What's the average price of a Halong Bay cruise in 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Prices vary by duration and boat category. A one-day tour from Hanoi generally runs between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 VND (~US$38-77). <br\/><br\/>For a 2-day, 1-night cruise, prices on 4- or 5-star boats usually start at 4,000,000-6,000,000 VND (~US$154-231) per person; for something more luxurious they can reach 8,000,000 VND (~US$308).","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3786"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6114,"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3786\/revisions\/6114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/viajarvietnam.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}