Here, almost 2,000 limestone islands have emerged from the Gulf of Tonkin over millions of years to form towers, arches and secret lagoons. The bay was inscribed in 1994 by UNESCO and expanded in 2023 to include the neighbouring Cat Ba Archipelago. The location you are chartered on the water is more important than the boat you are chartered in.
Choosing Your Bay
Ha Long Bay
The most frequented and original. The departures take off from Tuan Chau and Ha Long City, while several hundred people can be accommodated in the main caves. Still pretty awesome, just not so calm.
Bai Tu Long Bay
More out of the way to the northeast of the main bay, where there are fewer licensed boats, and where there is a sense of remoteness. Scenery is similar, people are a bit less.
Lan Ha Bay
You can get to South from Cat Ba Island. More sand, more kayaking and swimming if that is what you want to do as well.
Choosing a Cruise
A day trip or an overnight stay?Day trip or overnight stay?
Day trips are four hours on the road and about four hours at sea. Overland cruises provide a chance to view the karsts at sunrise and sunset, when they do the heavy lifting. Two nights equals distance from the crowds.
Price Tiers
Overnight cruises range from $100 to $150 per person and again for the mid-range boats at $180 to $280 per person and more than $350 for luxury cruises. The biggest factors are size of the cabin, food quality and number of other boats that are moored alongside.
Before making a booking, you should check the following details:
Check the actual journey, how many cabins, and if kayaking was done instead of bamboo or the cancellation plan when the weather is bad. Photos on booking sites may be old from several years.
What You’ll See
The Caves
There are also large light-filled rooms in Sung Sot (Surprise cave), the largest and most visited. Thien Cung and Dau Go are nearer to Ha Long City. All of these are likely to have long lines during peak times.
Ti Top Island
The ascent is steep at about 400 steps leading to a vantage point above small scattered karsts, and a small crescent beach below. Come early or late to escape heat and crowds.
Kayaking and Lagoons
The bay’s highlight is paddling through Luon Cave and into a caged lagoon. The Dark and Bright Lagoon at Lan Ha is similar, but less crowded with boats.
Floating Villages
Cua Van and Vung Vieng were fishing villages, which had been moved onshore in recent years. Today, rowboat trips continue and provide a glimpse into the lives of the families that lived on the water for generations.
Practical Tips
When to Go
Clearest weather is from October to November and March to April. Hot and typhoon season during summer. It’s a miserable winter, and when it gets misty, it’s a miserable winter — it’s an atmospheric winter in photographs, but it can be a poor winter.
Getting There
Most cruises include transfers and inside an expressway will take you to Ha Long in about 2 1/2 hours from Hanoi. Lan Ha takes the ferry from Got Pier to Cat Ba.
Weather Cancellations
When conditions turn provincial authorities suspend sailings and that turns up a lot. Each operator has a different refund policy—check before you book a cruise and be careful to avoid booking the day before the international flight.
On Board
Drinks are overpriced, wifi connections are weak, and cabins are small. Cash for tips and extras is necessary and warm layers from November through March.
How Long to Stay
One-night packages are suitable for most trips. The upgrade is worth it for 2 nights and is typically water the day boats never see.