Ha Long Bay Vịnh Hạ Long

Ha Long’s limestone towers rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. A road trip from Hanoi reaches the harbor in a morning. The bay itself is a boat trip: a loop among islands, usually with a cave or a lookout, and lunch on board.

An overnight boat costs more and shows the bay after the day boats leave. Read what the cabin and meals include. The cheapest day buses that promise “the bay” sometimes spend more time in traffic and a lunch hall than on the water.

Common questions

Is a day trip from Hanoi enough?

Yes, if you accept a long day. Stay overnight on a boat if the scenery is the point of the northern leg.

Ha Long or Ninh Binh?

Choose Ha Long for open water and a boat. Choose Ninh Binh for quiet rivers, rice, and a lower budget. Doing both in 48 hours is tiring.

Top attractions in Ha Long Bay

1

Sung Sot Cave

A large cave included on many boat loops.

3.0 ★★★☆☆ Editor

45 minutes · Usually inside the boat ticket

2

Ti Top Island

A short climb to a viewpoint over the karsts.

3.0 ★★★☆☆ Editor

45 minutes · Often inside the boat ticket

Side trips from Ha Long Bay

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and the usual start of a northern trip.

Cat Ba

Cat Ba is the large island at the western edge of the Ha Long and Lan Ha bay karst.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is the karst-and-rice country south of Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay by interest

Visit for the karst seascape and photography. It is not a food town and not a swimming holiday in the cooler months.

PhotographyCavesIslandsFamily

‹›

Getting there and around

You do not need a car once you are at the harbor. The tour sets the route. Independent travelers can hire a boat; most people book a shared cruise because the logistics are simpler.

Cat Ba island is the other way onto this coast, with more hiking and fewer large cruise ships. It is a different overnight, not a free add-on to a standard Ha Long day tour.

• Hanoi to Ha Long

  The bay is a half-day transfer from Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay itineraries

Best of Vietnam in 14 daysNorthern Vietnam in 7 days

‹›

Hotels

Placeholder. Individual hotels are not listed until a stay partner is connected. Searching still opens the labeled partner results.

• Overnight on the bay Midrange to high per cabin

  The reason to spend a second day. Cabins vary from simple to hotel-like.

  Search stays
• Ha Long city City hotels

  Useful only if your boat leaves early and you do not want a 4 a.m. start from Hanoi.

  Search stays

Partner link. We may earn a commission if you book.

Restaurants

Placeholder. Restaurant partners are not connected. What to order is on the food guide.

• Ha Long Bay food Food guide

  Meals on day boats are part of the ticket and are ordinary. Eat a proper meal in Hanoi the night before or after.

  Open the food guide