Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
Ha Long Bay Tours, Cruises & Things to Do
Discover the best Ha Long Bay tours and cruises, the UNESCO wonder of northern Vietnam: thousands of limestone karst islands rising from emerald water, explored on luxury day cruises and overnight cruises with kayaking, swimming and caves, the quieter Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, the vast Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and scenic seaplane flights. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect bay adventure.
1,800 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Ha Long Bay
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Ha Long Bay
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Ha Long Bay by interest
Whatever brings you to Ha Long Bay — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Day cruises
The bay in a day.
ExploreOvernight cruises
Sleep among karsts.
ExploreLan Ha Bay
Quieter and stunning.
ExploreKayaking & caves
Sung Sot and Titop.
ExploreBai Tu Long Bay
Pristine and peaceful.
ExploreSeaplane flights
The bay from the sky.
ExploreLuxury cruises
Balcony cabins and dining.
ExploreDay trips
Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Ha Long Bay
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Karst Islands
The UNESCO wonder.
500+ toursView tours
Overnight Cruises
Sleep among karsts.
500 toursView tours
Lan Ha Bay
Quieter beauty.
300 toursView tours
Sung Sot Cave
Vast karst cave.
300 toursView tours
Titop Island
Panoramic viewpoint.
250 toursView tours
Bai Tu Long Bay
Pristine waters.
150 toursView tours
Seaplane
The bay from the sky.
100 toursView tours
Ninh Binh
Ha Long on land.
200 toursView tours
1 day
Ha Long Bay day cruise
- 1Limousine from Hanoi
- 2Cruise the karsts
- 3Kayak & cave
- 4Seafood lunch
2 days
Ha Long Bay 2-day cruise
- 1Board the cruise
- 2Sung Sot Cave
- 3Sunset on deck
- 4Dawn Tai Chi
Full day awayDay Cruise
The bay in a day.
from €50View trips
2–3 days awayOvernight Cruise
Sleep among karsts.
from €130View trips
Cruise awayLan Ha Bay
Quieter beauty.
from €60View trips
On the bay awaySung Sot Cave
Vast karst cave.
from €50View trips
25 min awaySeaplane
The bay from the sky.
from €200View trips
Day trip awayNinh Binh
Ha Long on land.
from €60View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Ha Long Bay visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
October to April brings cool, dry, clear weather — the prime time to cruise Ha Long Bay, with March–April and October–November especially pleasant.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Cool, dry and clear with calm seas — one of the best times to cruise.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cool and sometimes misty, which can lend the karsts an atmospheric beauty; pack warm layers.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Mild and pleasant with fresh, green scenery — excellent for cruising.
Summer (May–Sep)
Hot and humid with the best swimming but a risk of storms; cruises can be cancelled in bad weather, so allow flexibility.
Watch the weather
Cruises may be cancelled in storms, especially in summer — keep your plans flexible and book reputable operators.
One day
A luxury day cruise from Hanoi.
Two days
An overnight cruise among the karsts.
Three days
The sweet spot: Ha Long and Lan Ha bays.
Combine with Hanoi
Pair the bay with the capital and Ninh Binh.
Longer trips
Add Bai Tu Long Bay and Cat Ba Island.
Travelling with kids
A day cruise or one-night family cruise.
Cruises
The bay itself is explored entirely by cruise boat, with kayaks and bamboo boats for getting closer to the karsts and caves.
From Hanoi
Most cruises include transfers from Hanoi by limousine bus or car, about 2.5–3 hours via the expressway.
Seaplane
A scenic seaplane offers a fast, spectacular transfer between Hanoi and the bay with aerial views.
Tender boats
Cruises use small tender boats to ferry guests from the harbour to the larger cruise ships.
On the islands
Stops like Titop Island and the caves involve short walks and steps, so wear comfortable shoes.
Cat Ba Island
Lan Ha Bay cruises connect with Cat Ba Island, reached via Haiphong or by boat.
Vietnamese dong
Vietnam uses the dong; carry some cash for tips, drinks and extras on board, though cruises and bigger venues accept cards.
Choose your cruise
Compare day vs overnight, and standard vs luxury cruises, checking cabins, route (Ha Long, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long) and what’s included.
Weather flexibility
Cruises can be cancelled in storms, especially in summer — keep a flexible day in your plans.
Pack smart
Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a light jacket for cool evenings, and comfortable shoes for caves and island climbs.
Pick the quieter bays
For fewer crowds, choose a cruise on Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay with the same stunning scenery.
Book reputable operators
Quality and safety vary, so book a well-reviewed cruise — Excurgo compares trusted options.
Overnight cruises
Luxury overnight cruises sell out — book well ahead.
Day cruises
Popular day cruises from Hanoi fill up — reserve early.
Lan Ha Bay
Quieter-bay cruises are in demand — pre-book.
Seaplane flights
Limited seats — book ahead.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Pristine-bay cruises have limited boats — reserve early.
Peak season
October–April is busy — plan ahead.
Day cruises
Around €40–90 for a luxury day cruise with lunch and transfers.
Overnight cruises
About €130–350+ for a 2-day/1-night cruise.
3-day cruises
Roughly €250–600+ for a 3-day/2-night cruise.
Seaplane
Around €200–280 for a 25-minute scenic seaplane flight.
Lan Ha & Bai Tu Long
Similar to Ha Long cruises, varying by standard and length.
How to save
Choose a day cruise or standard cabin, travel in the shoulder season, and compare operators.
When to visit
Ha Long Bay through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Mar–Apr
- Best for
- Mild, fresh, green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Excellent for cruising.
Summer (May–Sep)
May–Sep
- Best for
- Best swimming.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot; storm risk.
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Oct–Nov
- Best for
- Cool, dry, calm seas.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best; book ahead.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Atmospheric mist.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool; pack layers.
People also ask
Ha Long Bay travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Ha Long Bay?
The highest-rated Ha Long Bay experiences are a luxury day cruise or overnight cruise through the karst islands, kayaking and caves, the quieter Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, and a scenic seaplane flight.
What should I book in advance in Ha Long Bay?
Book overnight and luxury day cruises and seaplane flights well ahead, as they sell out, especially in the cool, dry October–April peak season.
How many days do I need in Ha Long Bay?
A day cruise captures the highlights, while a 2-day/1-night overnight cruise is ideal; choose 3 days to add the quieter Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long bays.
Is Ha Long Bay worth visiting?
Yes — Ha Long Bay rewards with thousands of dramatic karst islands rising from emerald water, explored on day and overnight cruises with kayaking, caves and swimming, plus the quieter Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays.
What are the best day trips to Ha Long Bay?
Most visitors reach Ha Long Bay from Hanoi on a day or overnight cruise; it also combines well with Ninh Binh, the “Ha Long Bay on land,” and the capital’s Old Quarter.
When is the best time to visit Ha Long Bay?
October to April brings cool, dry, clear weather ideal for cruising, with March–April and October–November especially pleasant; summer is hot with the best swimming but a risk of storms.
How do you get to Ha Long Bay?
Most cruises include transfers from Hanoi by limousine bus or car, about 2.5–3 hours away, with a scenic seaplane offering a fast, spectacular alternative; the bay itself is explored by cruise boat.
How much does a Ha Long Bay cruise cost?
Day cruises from Hanoi with transfers, kayaking and lunch cost around €40–€90 per person. Overnight cruises run €120–€200 for mid-range boats and €250–€450+ for luxury 5-star cruises with balcony cabins, per person for one night. Two-night itineraries reaching deeper into Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long cost proportionally more; compare exact prices on Excurgo.
Which is better: a Ha Long Bay day cruise or overnight cruise?
A day cruise from Hanoi shows you the classic karst scenery in one long day, while an overnight cruise lets you wake up among the islands, see sunrise and sunset on the water and reach quieter corners like Lan Ha Bay. If your schedule allows, one night on the bay is the experience most travellers rate highest.
1,800 Ha Long Bay experiencesfrom €40 · free cancellation
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