Ha Long Bay at a glance
Ha Long Bay lies in northeastern Vietnam, in Quang Ninh province. The UNESCO World Heritage Site covers Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago: 65,650 hectares (about 162,000 acres) and 1,133 islands and islets in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, with limestone towers rising straight out of the sea.
Travelers use the name "Ha Long Bay" more widely than UNESCO does, and the city of Ha Long is a third thing again. This guide keeps the three apart: the protected area, the cruise routes and the city. It is an independent guide with no link to the Quang Ninh authorities, the Ha Long Bay Management Board, any cruise line or any tour operator.
The neighboring Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island have their own guide at Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay. Here we stay with the classic bay, the caves and the quieter Bai Tu Long routes.
How a visit works
Four things that explain most booking pages.
The bay has numbered routes
The Ha Long Bay Management Board publishes visit fees by route, VHL1 to VHL8. Each route has its own stops, for example Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves on VHL1 and Ti Top, Sung Sot and Luon on VHL2. The route you book decides which stops you can reach.
Tours compared →Fees are not cruise prices
The published visit fees are per person and cover the bay, not the boat. Most single-day routes cost VND 150,000 to 250,000. The table is dated March 31, 2025, so confirm the current amount with your operator.
Cruises compared →Day trip or a night on the water
A day cruise is one outing. An overnight cruise adds a night at anchor and carries its own fee, for example VND 550,000 for one night on VHL2. Departures use harbors such as Tuan Chau and the International Cruise Port.
From Hanoi →Weather can stop departures
On August 22, 2026 the press reported that departures and overnight stays in Ha Long and Lan Ha were suspended from 7:00 am because of storm no. 4. A booked ship or ticket does not override such a suspension.
Weather and best time →Our picks: Ha Long Bay cruises
Two day cruises and a night on board in the bay.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-day cruise in Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay
One night on board in a sea-view cabin, with all meals, kayaking and a sunset party. Single cabins cost extra: $60, or $80 on the 5-star and $125 on the 6-star option.
Check availability →
Ha Long Bay day cruise with buffet lunch
An English-speaking guide, entry fees, Sung Sot Cave and kayak or bamboo boat; the Hanoi bus comes only with that option. The buffet and whirlpool are on the luxury boat only, the standard boat serves a set menu.
Check availability →
Ha Long Bay day cruise with lunch and kayaking
An English-speaking guide, boat trip, lunch, kayak or bamboo boat and a sunset party. A Hanoi transfer comes only with the option you choose; other drinks and meals are extra.
Check availability →Ha Long Bay cruises and day trips
Day cruises, overnight cruises and Bai Tu Long trips from Hanoi and Ha Long, with live prices and availability.
What changed in 2026
Where older guides are out of date.
A new port fee
Since July 1, 2026 the Ha Long International Cruise Port lists VND 80,000 return and VND 40,000 one way, VAT included. It is separate from the bay visit fee and from your cruise price.
Getting to the harbor →Ha Long to Lan Ha links
Rules for ships that link Ha Long and Lan Ha took effect on April 1, 2026, with the first trips on April 20. The links are meant for overnight ships and start from routes VHL3, VHL4, VHL5 and VHL6.
Overnight cruises →The seaplane
In March 2026 the press reported that the seaplane service would end from April 1, 2026, yet a test website still lists flights. Do not plan around it.
Other ways to get there →Sun World parks in town
Press reports say Dragon Park closed on September 14, 2026 and the water park closed for the season on October 1, 2026, with a reopening announced for April 2027. Check before you go.
Ha Long city →Plan your trip
Cruises, caves, routes and where to base yourself.
Ha Long Bay cruises compared
Day, overnight and luxury cruises, with times on board and price examples.
Tours, caves and kayaking
Route fees from VHL1 to VHL8 and what each day tour can reach.
From Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Expressway times, limousine buses, the harbors and the port fee.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Ten published routes, three links to Ha Long and a different set of harbors.
Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top
The cave, the beach and the climb of more than 400 steps.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, and the storm season.
Ha Long city
Bai Chay and Tuan Chau as places to sleep before a departure.
Ha Long Bay: frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Ha Long Bay?
Vietnam's general entry rules apply, there is no separate bay permit. As of October 2026, holders of ordinary German passports are listed for 45 days without a visa, and Swiss citizens for 45 days too (August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028). Austrian and US travelers need a visa before they travel. The government e-visa allows up to 90 days and costs $25 for one entry or $50 for multiple entries. Rules change, so check before you go and carry a printed e-visa.
How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay?
One cruise operator gives 2.5 to 3 hours by expressway from the Old Quarter and the same from Noi Bai Airport. Pickup point and traffic matter. Our Hanoi to Ha Long guide lists the bus and transfer options. Coming on from the northern mountains? See Sapa.
What does it cost to visit the bay?
Two prices add up: the visit fee per person, which is VND 250,000 on the VHL1 and VHL2 day routes (table dated March 31, 2025), and the price of the boat. One operator's eight-hour day cruise showed $71 per seat without transfer and $87 with a Hanoi Old Quarter transfer. Treat that as a display example, not a quote for your date.
Will my trip run in a typhoon?
Not necessarily. The storm season in this part of Vietnam is mainly June to September, and authorities can suspend departures and overnight stays. A suspension on August 22, 2026 is one example. Ask your operator what happens if the trip is changed or canceled.
Is Bai Tu Long Bay the same as Ha Long Bay?
No. Bai Tu Long has its own published routes, 10 in total plus 3 links to Ha Long, and its harbors include Ao Tien and Cam Pha. Read the Bai Tu Long guide before you choose.
Do I need to give passport details when I buy a ticket?
According to a press report, international visitors have been asked since December 10, 2025 to give passport data and nationality when they buy bay tickets. Have your passport details ready when you book. That is a data requirement, not a rule to book online in advance.