More about: Day Trips to Halong Bay from Hanoi
Halong Bay, located about 170 kilometers north of Hanoi, is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations and also one of the most beautiful places to discover in the region. On the islands that wind along the coast, you can also swim in turquoise waters, practice water sports, go climbing, and relax on idyllic beaches. Read on to find out about the best excursions to this Vietnamese paradise.

Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi
Explore Halong Bay in one day with everything included
Enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay from Hanoi with transfers, optional guide, and seafood lunch. Includes a visit to Thien Cung Cave and a kayak or bamboo boat ride.
With this day trip to Halong Bay with a cruise from Hanoi, you will have the opportunity to discover one of Vietnam's natural gems in a full day. You will depart from your accommodation in Hanoi's Old Quarter in a comfortable vehicle and travel to Halong Port, where you will board a boat and set sail for a dreamlike landscape.
During the cruise, you will enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board, sail among rock formations, and explore Thien Cung Cave by kayak or bamboo boat. If you are looking for a more personalized experience, you can add a private guide and exclusive transportation.
Recommended if... you only have one day to visit Halong Bay and don't want to miss the essentials, with all the comforts and no complications.

Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi
Experience Halong Bay as part of a group with everything organized
A comprehensive small group tour to explore Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Includes lunch, transfers, and entrance to Thien Cung Cave.
This cruise tour of Halong Bay from Hanoi offers you the same magic of the bay with a more practical and accessible approach. Aboard a small boat, you'll enjoy the stunning surroundings of Halong and have time to sail among islets and caves, with lunch included.
The kayak or bamboo boat ride and visit to Thien Cung Cave are also included. All this with transfers from your hotel, so you don't have to worry about logistics or language.
Recommended if... you're looking for an affordable and efficient option to visit Halong Bay in one day, without sacrificing an authentic and well-organized experience.

Halong Bay 2-Day Trip with 1-Night Cruise from Hanoi
Escape for two days aboard a cruise ship in Halong Bay
Enjoy an unforgettable experience with a guide, cabin accommodation, meals included, activities such as kayaking, squid fishing, a night party, and a tai chi class.
The two-day excursion to Halong Bay from Hanoi is perfect for those who want to experience the bay to the fullest. You'll sleep in a private cabin on a fully equipped cruise ship and enjoy an itinerary packed with activities: kayaking, squid fishing, a tai chi class at sunrise, and a night party on deck.
In addition to local cuisine included in all meals, you'll visit islands such as Titop and floating villages such as Ba Hang or Pearl Farm Village, accompanied by a professional guide. An immersive and comprehensive experience for the more adventurous.
Recommended if... you want to completely disconnect, surround yourself with nature, and experience Halong Bay at a leisurely pace, enjoying both the scenery and life on board.
What are the cruise excursions to Halong Bay from Hanoi like?

If you want to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi in the most comfortable and comprehensive way, you can opt for an organized excursion, which is one of the best excursions to do from the Vietnamese capital. These experiences include round-trip transportation to northern Vietnam, and once in the bay, you can enjoy a panoramic cruise that will allow you to discover the views of this popular site.
During the cruise, you will usually enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, which is included in the price of the organized tour, and you will have the assistance of an expert local guide throughout the tour. Among the islets of Halong Bay, you will have the opportunity to snorkel, dive, participate in a kayaking experience, and even visit Tien Cung Cave on a bamboo boat.
On these organized tours, which last approximately 10-12 hours, you can also learn about the Gulf of Tonkin, which shelters the bay and was one of the most disputed sites during the Vietnam War, the conflict that divided the country for more than 20 years.
Please note that these experiences are usually for small groups, so you can expect personalized attention, especially during the excursion that will take you by bamboo boat to explore the rock formations famous for their stalactites and stalagmites. You can also choose options that include 2-day tours of Halong Bay.
Details of interest
- Price: approximately $35 per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pickup, expert local guide assistance, and cruise through Halong Bay.
- Duration of the trip: around 10 hours.
- Advantages of this option: you can relax and leave the logistics to us so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
What will I see on the Halong Bay excursions?

Excursions to Halong Bay from Hanoi allow you to discover one of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes in all of Vietnam. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the bay is home to karst islands, ancient caves, and floating villages that form a natural setting that is difficult to forget. Below, we tell you what places you can visit and what experiences await you during these excursions:
- Halong Bay: you will sail among more than 1,600 limestone islands and islets emerging from the water in a natural environment that is unique in the world.
- Thien Cung Cave: an impressive grotto decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, also known as the "celestial cave." Many excursions include a visit by kayak or bamboo boat.
- Titop Island (on 2-day tours): a small island with white sand beaches and panoramic views from its summit after a short walk.
- Ba Hang floating village: you can see how families live in floating houses and learn about a traditional way of life.
- Pearl Farm Village (on 2-day tours): a center where you will learn about pearl farming and the production process, an iconic activity in the area.
- Sunrise Tai Chi class (on 2-day tours): a peaceful and revitalizing activity overlooking the bay, perfect for starting the day.
- Squid fishing and night party on board (on tours with overnight stay): enjoy life on the boat with local entertainment, wine, fresh fruit, and typical activities.
- Kayaking or bamboo boat: one of the most authentic ways to explore caves and get close to the most hidden corners of Halong.
Each excursion offers a different itinerary depending on its duration and level of comfort, but all of them will allow you to connect with Vietnam's nature and culture in an unforgettable way.
How much does a trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi cost?

The price of a trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi depends mainly on the duration, the level of comfort, and whether it includes extras such as a private guide or accommodation. At Hellotickets, these are the approximate rates:
- Day trips: You can book a 10-hour trip from around $18 per person, including transfer from Hanoi, cruise, seafood lunch, and activities such as kayaking or bamboo boat rides.
- Cruises with an overnight stay: If you want a more immersive experience, two-day, one-night excursions cost around $126, depending on the type of boat and the services included. You'll have all meals, a guide, activities, and cabin accommodation.
- Premium or private option: You can upgrade your experience by adding a professional guide and private vehicle from around $200, which provides more comfort, flexibility, and personalized attention, ideal for family trips or couples.
Whatever you choose, all options include transfer from Hanoi and access to must-see sites such as Thien Cung Cave, islets, and floating villages.
What if I want to go to Halong Bay from Hanoi on my own?

Excursions to Halong Bay are undoubtedly the most recommended option because, among other things, they save you the hassle of finding transportation and going on your own, especially considering the competitive prices available. However, here are some other ways to get there if you prefer to go at your own pace:
By bus
If you plan to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi and want to do so as cheaply as possible or are on a limited budget, you can opt for a bus trip, which is a very popular option for traveling from the Vietnamese capital to the Gulf of Tonkin. In addition, there are several bus companies that operate this route, giving you flexibility in terms of schedules and service options.
Among the most famous are Phuc Xuyen and Green Lion Bus. Both will take you from My Dinh station to Halong Bay on journeys that take approximately 3 hours and usually cost between $12 and $14, depending on the date of travel, the time, and also the demand for the service.
- Price: from €12 per person.
- Journey time: around 3 hours.
- Advantages of this option: it is the cheapest alternative available, making it ideal if you are traveling on a tight budget.
- Disadvantages of this option: it is the slowest alternative, which could interfere with your itinerary if you are planning a short stay in Hanoi.
By taxi
If you are planning a 2-day stay in Hanoi or even less and need to save time during your transfers, or if you decide at the last minute to visit Halong Bay , you can opt for a taxi ride, which is usually a very popular alternative but can also be expensive.
These trips will take you on a journey of approximately 2 hours along the CT04 route and give you the flexibility to choose the itinerary, timetable, and final stop in Halong Bay, which should be at the pier so that you are close to the coast and can start the tour right there. On the other hand, a taxi will also give you the opportunity to include stops along the way.
- Price: approximately $90 per trip, in a taxi that can carry up to 4 people.
- Journey time: around 2 hours.
- Advantages of this option: you can decide the itinerary, the timetable, and also any stops along the way.
- Disadvantages of this option: these are expensive alternatives.
By car
Renting a car to explore Hanoi and its surroundings is not a very popular option in Vietnam, but if you do decide to do so , you will have a flexible alternative that will allow you to discover the Vietnamese capital and other nearby sites, such as Halong Bay.
From Hanoi, you can travel to the north coast via the CT04 route in approximately 2 hours, which allows you to include stops along the way, as well as giving you the option to manage your own schedule and follow an itinerary at your own pace. Once you arrive in Halong Bay, you should park your car near the pier area and, from there, choose a cruise to the islands of the Gulf of Tonkin.
- Price: Car rental in Hanoi has an approximate initial cost of $75 per day.
- Journey time: around 2 hours.
- Advantages of this option: you can plan an itinerary based on your interests and visit each destination at your own pace.
- Disadvantages of this option: keep in mind that traffic in Vietnam is chaotic and the roads are often in poor condition.
Which option best suits my travel plans?

The answer will depend on your travel plan, as each alternative offers something different. If you want to save money and stick to a tight budget, the bus tour is the most recommended option, although you should bear in mind that this option could interfere with a 3-day or shorter tour of Hanoi, as you will lose a lot of time in transfers.
If, on the other hand, you don't have budget constraints and want a comfortable experience, you can opt for an organized excursion from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which is one of the best tours from the Vietnamese capital. This will allow you not only to relax and delegate the logistics, but also to focus on enjoying your visit to one of the most beautiful sites in Vietnam.
Afterwards, you can consider other alternatives, such as the combined train and taxi tour and a rental car, although these are options that you will generally use if the bus or organized tour are not available or for some specific reason, which will depend on the number of people traveling or the length of the trip.
When is the best time to take a trip to Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is a fascinating destination all year round, but the best time to visit depends on your individual preferences and the activities you want to do. The most popular season is from October to December, when the weather is pleasant, with clear skies that enhance the beauty of the place.
This period also avoids the high temperatures and humidity of summer in Halong Bay, providing ideal conditions for exploring the bay by boat and enjoying outdoor activities. During these months, you can also take some of the best photographs of Halong Bay and the Gulf of Tonkin.
For those looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower rates, spring, from March to May, and the peak autumn season in September are attractive options. During spring, you can marvel at the colors of the surrounding nature, while fall offers pleasant temperatures and a peaceful atmosphere. However, keep in mind that spring can bring occasional rain.
Winter, from January to March, can also be a valid choice, although temperatures are cooler. Despite this, the cloudy landscape adds a unique charm to Halong Bay during this season.