Halong Bay is a stunningly beautiful bay in Northern Vietnam where over 1,600 islands and islets rise up from the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Most Vietnam itineraries include a trip to Halong Bay.
As you cruise through the bay in one of the famous ‘junk boats,’ you’ll pass by countless towering limestone rock formations surrounding the luxury cruise ship. The bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Vietnam.
The most popular way to explore Halong Bay is to cruise on a ‘junk boat’ which is actually a liveaboard cruise ship. Most junk boats have around 15-20 cabins so the groups are more intimate than what you would normally expect from a cruise ship.
Read on to learn all about when to go, what to pack, and how to choose the right boat for your Halong Bay cruise!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: Guide to Halong Bay, Vietnam!
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Complete Guide to Halong Bay
How to Get to Halong Bay
Halong Bay is located about 100 miles east of Hanoi. Transportation to and from the bay is often included in your Halong Bay cruise ship package. They will pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 in the morning. The standard included transportation package is to ride in a large but comfortable and air-conditioned bus, or you can pay extra for a private car.
There is a brand new highway that has cut the travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay down to about 2.5 hours. However, it is a toll road and some cut-rate cruise operators will choose to take the old road rather than pay the toll. This adds almost two hours to the time you’ll be sitting in a bus or car so make sure you confirm with your travel agent or cruise operator that you will be taking the new highway.
It’s also possible to travel directly between Halong Bay and Ninh Bình which will save you some time if you’re planning on visiting both and don’t want to return to Hanoi in-between.
Note: If you book your Halong Bay cruise through Booking.com rather than through a local travel agent, make sure you read the fine print. You may need to pay an additional $25-40 USD per person for a round-trip transfer to/from Hanoi.
When to visit Halong Bay
Junk boats operate year-round so you can go on a Halong Bay cruise at any time, as long as you don’t mind a little rain.
The best time to visit is from October until March when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is light, if at all. Of course, you’ll also have to contend with more crowds during that time and should plan on booking your tour in advance.
April to September is hot and humid and experiences the highest rainfall of the year, with August being the wettest month.
How Many Nights to Spend on a Halong Bay Cruise
Most Halong Bay cruise itineraries will pick you up in Hanoi at around 8:00 am and get you to the boat around 12:00 pm. You’ll have lunch on the boat, enjoy a few afternoon activities, have dinner, and then you’ll depart the boat the next day around noon if you choose the 2-day/1-night option. This 2-day/1-night cruise option is the most popular way to see Halong Bay.
We opted for the 3-day/2-night Halong Bay cruise option which felt more relaxing as we had an extra night on board and didn’t feel so rushed to unpack and then repack our luggage. We also found that the day 2 activities were far less crowded and rushed so we were able to enjoy them more.
There is also a 2-night option where you’ll spend the second evening at a hotel on Cat Ba Island.
How to Choose the Best Halong Bay Cruise
Do Your Research
Many tourists opt to book their ‘junk boat’ Halong Bay cruise through the many tourist agencies around Hanoi. There are literally dozens of boat options so the tourist agencies will generally only show you their top one or two in order to keep you from getting overwhelmed (or so they say).
Local travel agents can sometimes get you better prices than what you can find online, but before entering a travel agency do some research on Booking and TripAdvisor to find the top-rated cruise boats. Then you can compare the rates offered by travel agents against the rates offered online.
Local tour companies are also happy to arrange tours that include both a day in Ninh Bình and an overnight cruise in Halong Bay which can be a good option to consider if you’re short on time in Northern Vietnam.
If you’re already in Hanoi you can also ask at the reception desk of your hotel as almost all Hanoi hotels offer similar services to travel agencies.
A few things to consider when booking your Halong Bay cruise:
- How many cabins are on the ship?
- What is included in your package? Water and other beverages are often an extra charge.
- What activities are listed?
- What do the reviews say on Booking.com or Tripadvisor?
Don’t Skimp on your Halong Bay Cruise
You can save a bit of money by choosing a lower-end cruise line or by forgoing a private balcony off your room. And most of the ships do offer a similar schedule of activities so no matter what boat you pick, you’ll get to see the highlights of Halong Bay.
But if you want to really enjoy your time onboard, opt to pay a bit more for a private balcony and a nicer room with more amenities.
Our Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations
A trip to Halong Bay can be an amazing experience, but with many of the boat companies you’ll wind up feeling like you’re simply on a tourist conveyor belt. If you want to make it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience consider these options:
Peony Cruise
Peony Cruises only recently began sailing in October 2018, so their boats are brand new and state-of-the-art. They’ve incorporated both luxury and style into their immaculate, spacious staterooms. And to top it off, their boats operate in a different area of the bay than most of the other cruises so you’ll have a more unique itinerary with fewer crowds! Sailing with Peony Cruises is a truly amazing experience!
Athena Elegance Cruise
Athena Elegance Cruise is a new addition to the Halong Bay cruise ships so you’ll appreciate that the furniture and appliances are free from the wear and tear of other boats. With 3 decks, 21 spacious and luxurious cabins, a rooftop sundeck, coffee lounge, bar, and sauna, you won’t even want to get off of this gorgeous ship to explore the bay!
Era Cruises
Era Cruises is the ultimate in world-class service and style! You’ll forget that you’re even on a boat (aside from the amazing bay views from your private soaking tub). Rooms are huge and elegantly decorated, there is an onboard fitness center and spa, the food is delectable, and you’ll be treated like royalty by the amazing staff.
La Pinta Cruise
La Pinta Cruise has a mission of “safety – elegance – sophistication”, and those words really sum up what to expect from your onboard experience. They offer 16 spacious cabins but the real advantage of La Pinta is that they take a different tour route which will allow you to avoid a lot of the crowds and have a more relaxing Halong Bay experience.
What to Pack for Your Halong Bay Cruise
Passport
You’ll need your passport to travel to Halong Bay and your tour guide will ask for it during your bus ride to the area. Be sure you have it in your handbag for easy access rather than stored in your luggage under the bus.
Snacks for the Bus Ride
The bus ride to Halong Bay takes around 2.5 hours and most make one stop at a massive souvenir store. They’ll drop you off on one end and pick you up on the other 30 minutes later. The souvenir store has clean western-style toilets and sells everything from giant Buddha statues to traditional clothing, gold jewelry, and everything in-between.
Everything at these souvenir shops is outrageously expensive, especially the snacks. Think $10 USD for a bag of peanuts. If you think you might get hungry or thirsty during the bus ride, best to pack your snacks rather than wait to buy them there.
Bottled Water
Some of the higher-end boats may provide drinking water while onboard but for many, it is an extra charge. You’ll likely get a bottle on the bus and two in your cabin, but you’ll then have to pay for the rest while on board.
Swimsuit
You’ll want to pack a swimsuit both for swimming at Ti Top Island and for kayaking around Halong Bay. Don’t worry about bringing a beach towel. Your cruise ship will provide you with one as you are getting off the boat.
Tennis Shoes with Traction
There are a few reasons that tennis shoes would come in handy during your trip to Halong Bay. You’ll climb a lot of stairs during your visit to Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island (if you choose to visit the lookout) so you’ll find that you are more comfortable in tennis shoes rather than flip flops.
The caves can also be quite slippery after heavy rainfalls, so you’ll appreciate having shoes with some traction. These hiking shoes by Merrell are lightweight, super durable, and have a breathable mesh lining to keep your feet cool.
Sun Protection
You’ll love lounging on the rooftop deck of the cruise ship, soaking in the views of the limestone pillars surrounding you. Some boats have a lot of shady areas while others are full sun. You’ll also probably spend some time kayaking in the hot midday sun. Be sure you have the proper protection for your skin and hair so you don’t get scorched.
You may also want to pack a foldable sun hat for extra protection for your face.
Waterproof Cell Phone Case
If you want to snap a few photos while kayaking around Halong Bay, you’ll want to invest in either a waterproof cellphone case or a waterproof camera. This universal waterproof case is inexpensive and super easy to use if you think your phone is in danger of getting splashed.
What NOT to Bring on Your Halong Bay Cruise
Alcohol
Every Halong Bay cruise ship includes meals during your stay, but not all include alcohol and other beverages. And while the drinks will certainly cost you more than what you’d expect in Vietnam, they generally aren’t outrageous. Expect to pay about $1 USD for water and soda, $3 USD for juice, $2.50 for beer, and $6 for wine on a moderately priced boat. The fancier the boat, the higher the drink prices of course.
While you may be tempted to bring your own alcohol on board, be aware that most of the boats charge a ‘corkage fee’ for any beverages that you don’t buy on the ship. This includes any drinks from the enterprising local ladies on tiny rowboats cruising around the bay trying to sell various sundries to cruise boat passengers.
Expect to pay an additional ‘corkage fee’ of $20 USD on wine and $1 USD on any beer or soda that you bring with you. At the end of the day, you’ll end up paying the same amount as if you just buy your drinks from the cruise ship bar.
Note: The ‘corkage fee’ doesn’t apply to water, snacks, and souvenirs so if you want to support the locals you can always buy a couple of bottles of water or some trinkets.
Activities Around Halong Bay
Listed below are a few of the most popular activities that are generally included in junk boat tours around Halong Bay. Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island are the two most popular activities and will probably be a part of your visit regardless of how long you stay.
Morning Tai Chi
Most cruise ships offer an early morning relaxing tai chi lesson on the rooftop deck.
Sung Sot “Surprise” Cave
Sung Sot Cave, also known as “Surprise Cave”, is one of the most popular destinations in Halong Bay, and for good reason. You’ll start by climbing a long set of stairs where you can stop along the way for fantastic views of the bay below. And once inside the cave, you’ll follow the path that winds around the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a massive cave that is well-lit and easy to navigate with or without a guide.
Keep in mind that Surprise Cave gets very crowded and would be difficult to access if you have any issues with mobility.
Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island is another major stop along the Halong Bay cruise tour route. You’ll have time to lounge on the beach, swim in the sea, or climb to the lookout high above for the most incredible 360° views of the bay. The stairs to the top are very steep and no doubt you’ll be sweaty and out of breath by the time you reach the top.
This is another crowded spot in the bay. There is a changing area to change into your swimsuit but the toilets are squatty potties so you may want to plan ahead.
Onboard Cooking Class
A “cooking class” may be offered on your last day on the ship. Ours was a brief lesson in rolling rice paper spring rolls. So not EXACTLY cooking, but it was fun anyway.
Me Cung (Maze) Cave
Me Cung Cave has a few different chambers to explore. You’ll get to see the beautiful Maze Lake from an opening in the cave wall and you’ll get to experience the interesting acoustics as you get deeper inside.
You’ll need to either crab walk or crawl through two very small cave openings so if you have trouble with your back or knees this may be challenging. And this cave gets quite slippery after heavy rain so wear those tennis shoes!
Kayaking at Luon Cave and Lake
This was our favorite activity of our Halong Bay cruise tour experience. You’ll kayak through a cave and into a large lake that is surrounded by massive walls and lush vegetation on all sides. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a monkey along the banks of the lake.
Pearl Farm Visit
This is a brief trip to a pearl farm where millions of oysters are being manipulated to create unnatural pearls and thousands of oyster shells are being cleaned every month. The tour ends in the incredibly overpriced gift shop.
Alternatives to Taking a Halong Bay Cruise
If everything described above seems too “touristy” for you, there are other ways to explore this part of Vietnam. You can:
- Head straight to Cat Ba Island, stay in a hotel there, and arrange a more personalized boat trip around the bay.
- Pass on Halong Bay and instead choose to explore the less-crowded but also incredibly beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay.
- Choose a cruise company that offers an alternative route to Ha Long Bay such as La Pinta Cruise.
We hope this post helps you to choose a Halong Bay cruise boat that is right for you!
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Hello there, thanks for all the cruise info – we’re a couple, early 50s, adventurous, like small groups, pretty relaxed, long term travellers – with that in mind, which of the four Halong Bay cruise companies you’ve reviewed would you choose? Thank you!