Halong Bay: Day Trips and Tours from Hanoi

There are only a handful of places that can be described as awe-inspiring, extraordinary and astounding. Panoramas that give you the distinct impression they were torn from some mythical book or legend.

Ha Long Bay is one of these places — and no visit to Northern Vietnam is complete without a Ha Long Bay day trip from Hanoi.

According to Vietnamese folktales, Halong Bay is the resting place of a gigantic dragon — the protector and guardian of Vietnam. The numerous limestone islets are its body, poking out of the water, as it tries to settle itself in the bay.

Whenever Vietnam faces great peril, the dragon will rise from its watery lair and rain down its retribution.

Whatever the origins of this dramatic landscape may be, one thing is indisputable — with its secret beaches, hidden caves and tranquil waters, Halong Bay continues to inspire and mesmerize to this day.

Here's everything you need to know about Halong Bay, one of the most breathtaking destinations for day trips from Hanoi.

How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi?

Halong Bay is located approximately 120 kilometers east of Hanoi and nestled between Ha Long City in the north and Cat Ba island in the south.

Halong Bay is just one part of the impressive limestone island formation that the area is famous for. Some of the other bays in the area worth visiting are Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

From Hanoi to Halong Bay by car

There are two options when traveling to Halong Bay from Hanoi by car. The first to travel to the harbor city of Haiphong, where you can take a ferry to Halong Bay. Some of the tours to Halong Bay also depart from Haiphong ferry station.

The 130-kilometer journey to the ferry takes about 2 hours to complete, and there’s a ferry leaving from the station every hour.

The second option is to drive directly to the Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long City. From Hanoi, you’ll pass through Haiphong and continue eastwards to the burgeoning resort town of Ha Long City.

The 150-kilometer journey will take approximately 3 hours to complete. From the marina, you’ll be able to charter a cruise or day trip to the bay.

Guided tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Guided tours to Halong Bay are a wonderful option to explore the bay in a comfortable and cost-effective way. Sit back and relax as your qualified English-speaking guide tells you more about this stunning area.

The only real thing you’ll need to consider is the type and duration of your Halong Bay tour. The choices are varied with full-day, 2-day and 3-day options available at different price points to ensure everybody is catered to.

What is the typical itinerary?

Day trips to Halong Bay follow different itineraries, depending on the tour’s duration and cost. The more activities and sights the Ha Long Bay day trip include, the longer and more expensive it tends to be.

The typical itinerary of a Halong Bay day trip will start with an early morning pickup in an air-conditioned car or bus. Leave Hanoi behind as you take a 3-hour journey to the pier where you’ll board your boat.

There’s a pit stop along the way where you’ll be able to buy refreshments and use the facilities.

Once you’ve boarded your boat, you’ll head out into the bay — stopping every now and again to swim or kayak to a nearby beach, explore a sea cave, or take a hike into the jungle of one of the islands.

Lunch is usually served on the boat, and you’ll be able to relax afterward, either sunbathing on the deck, having a drink at the bar or chatting with your fellow passengers.

After a long day at sea, you can catch some well-earned shuteye on your way back to Hanoi. A Halong Bay day trip lasts anything between 7 and 12 hours.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Halong Bay?

Tours to Halong Bay come in various shapes and sizes — making it easy for travelers to find the option that best fits their time and budget. All tours mentioned include transfer in an air-conditioned van or car to and from Hanoi.

Full-day guided tours to Halong Bay from Hanoi

A guided day tour to Halong Bay is one of the best ways to experience what Ha Long Bay has to offer when pressed for time. An early morning pickup in an air-conditioned van is followed by a 3-hour journey to the ferry station.

After a safety briefing, you’ll board your vessel and explore Halong Bay’s otherworldly beauty. You’ll kayak, hike and snorkel, all while your guide is close at hand to answer any questions you may have or lead you to some secluded cove.

Lunch will be served either on your boat, or at a local floating fishing village. After your delicious lunch, you’ll board a traditional bamboo boat and row to some of the many caves that Halong Bay is famous for.

Try to soak it all in before heading back to shore, and eventually, Hanoi.

A private group tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi

If you want to avoid the crowds and take charge of your own itinerary, a private group tour to Halong Bay is the way to go.

You will be the only people on this Halong Bay tour, allowing you to explore Halong Bay on your own terms — with a qualified guide at hand to answer any questions you may have or offer advice on the next port of call.

A private group tour to Halong Bay can accommodate a maximum of 6 persons, making it perfect for couples, families and a group of friends alike.

The tour includes lunch, and the activities and sights are customizable to your needs — with kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, a bamboo boat ride or cave exploration some of the many activities you can choose.

2-Day boat cruise in Halong Bay from Hanoi

There is a lot to do and experience in Halong Bay, so much so that a day trip usually leaves travelers wanting more. A 2-day tour from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay is the perfect antidote — allowing you enough time to truly take in Ha Long Bay’s splendor.

A standard 2-day boat tour of Halong Bay starts in Hanoi, and you’ll overnight either on the boat or at a local floating fishing village, depending on the tour you purchase.

Most of the tours visit the same sights and include the same activities, with cooking demonstrations, morning Thai Chi classes, swimming, hiking and kayaking making up the bulk of the activities.

Some of the sights you can expect to visit are Ti Top Island, the aptly named Surprise Cave and local pearl farms and floating fishing villages.

Ti Top Island should not be missed, as it offers breathtaking views of Halong Bay and the chance to have a refreshing drink after a steady climb.

2-Day luxury Junk boat cruise in Halong Bay

Luxury and junk don’t usually fit into the same sentence, except when the “junk” in question is the iconic Chinese boat with its recognizable pleated sails. A multi-day tour to Halong Bay on a luxury Junk provides a truly memorable experience.

A modernized version of this classic vessel (fitted with the latest amenities like a spa, Wi-Fi, hot tubs and an onboard pool) will be your home during this 2-day tour — as you laze your way from one unforgettable memory to the next.

This tour applies only the highest of standards to everything they do, from activities and accommodation to the delicious chef-prepared meals onboard. What can be better than a pampering session in the midst of all this natural beauty, right?

Hanoi to Halong Bay on a 3-day tour

If you have the time to spare, a 3-day tour offers the ultimate Halong Bay adventure. This longer tour, while a bit more expensive, incorporates activities and sights that other shorter tours simply don’t have time for.

You’ll travel to all three of the limestone bays (Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay) in the Gulf of Tonkin, exploring some of the less-visited locations in the gulf.

This alone should be worth the price, but this multi-day Halong Bay tour also features unique and exclusive activities — nightly squid fishing, exploring Cat Ba by bicycle and rock climbing, to name a few.

For a truly unforgettable experience, you can charter a seaplane from Hanoi — an invaluable opportunity to take in the grandeur of Halong Bay from the sky.

2-Day Halong Bay tour plus full-day tour to Ninh Binh from Hanoi

Torn between Halong Bay and Ninh Binh? With this 3-day tour, you don’t have to choose! You’ll start from Hanoi, where a limousine van will take you to Ninh Binh, also known as “Ha Long Bay on land.”

Spend the day exploring Ninh Binh, visit the ancient capital city of Hoa Lu and make your way up to the Hang Mua viewpoint. From here, you’ll be able to take in the astounding panoramic that the river valley offers.

You’ll spend the night in a tranquil eco lodge before taking an early morning van to Halong Bay.

Spend the next two days on Halong Bay from your modern cruise boat, exploring the limestone islets and secreted coves by kayak, read a book on the sun deck or lounge away in the onboard pool.

You choose what you want to do and how you’ll remember this once-in-a-lifetime destination.

How much does a tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi cost?

Halong Bay tour prices are largely dependent on the tour length and the activities included.

Full-day guided group tours from Hanoi to Halong Bay are the most affordable option, with prices ranging from US$60 to US$70 per person.

A full-day private group tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay starts at US$80 per person, but the price varies according to the group size. Private group tours have a maximum capacity of 6 persons.

An entry level 2-day Halong Bay boat cruise will cost US$130 per person, while the more luxurious 2-day tour will cost US$210 per person.

A 3-day tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay is understandably more expensive, coming in at US$500 per person.

A 3-day tour to Halong Bay plus Ninh Binh from Hanoi provides great value for money, costing about US$460 per person.

What will you see?

The number of things to do and see in Halong Bay is simply staggering, and it explains why this destination is on so many bucket lists!

Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island is one of the largest islands in northern Vietnam, and it's located southwest of Halong Bay. The island is home to various floating fishing villages, and many Ha Long Bay tours frequent the area.

Some multi-day Halong Bay tours also use Cat Ba Island as a starting point. Most of the island is a nature reserve and home to the Cat Ba Langur, one of the rarest primates in the world.

Lan Ha Bay

Lan Ha Bay is the lesser known (but by no means any less spectacular) sibling of Halong Bay. Some Ha Long Bay day tours use this bay as a refuge, a quick escape from the crowds, before continuing on with the itinerary.

Home to countless caves, coves and an idyllic island, Lan Ha Bay is the perfect stop on any itinerary — or a destination in its own right.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is often called “Halong Bay on land” and it’s easy to understand why. An extensive complex of rivers and canals weave their way through limestone mountains and striking rice fields and terraces.

There are a number of Halong Bay tours that combine with Ninh Binh — affording travelers the opportunity to explore both of these iconic landscapes.

When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?

The best times to visit Halong Bay are the periods from October to December, and from March to early May. The weather is pleasant during these times, and there are fewer tourists.

The latter part of your trip to Hanoi is the best time for a Halong Bay day tour, as it will provide the perfect excuse to sit back and relax.

Are there any tours to Halong Bay from other cities in Vietnam?

Yes, there are other tours departing from another city in Vietnam:

• Day trips to Halong Bay from Ha Long City

Travel tips

• Take water shoes when you go kayaking to protect yourself from sharp rocks.
• “All-inclusive” tours do not include drinks or gratuity.
• A watertight pouch for your phone and camera is a good idea.
• Wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen.
• Tours to Halong Bay are dependent on the weather — confirm with your tour company what activities you can expect.