How to Find the Best Halong Bay Cruise for You
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If you’re planning a trip to North Vietnam, chances are Halong Bay is high on your list. And for good reason. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking destinations.
The bay is home to 1,600 islands and islets, each rising dramatically from the emerald waters. Many hide caves waiting to be explored, adding to the bay’s sense of mystery and adventure.
There are basically three options for your Halong Bay cruise: one day, one night, or two nights. Each option offers a chance to soak in the bay’s otherworldly beauty, but which one is right for you?
All money is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
Our Experience
Steve and I spent four weeks in Hanoi, Vietnam, in the fall of 2024, and the highlight of our trip was a two-night cruise through Halong Bay. We sailed with Halong Bay Tours on the Paradise Elegance and couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
It wasn’t cheap. We paid $760 for both of us. The only extra cost was our drinks at lunch, dinner, and in the evening.
So, was it worth it? For us, absolutely. But a different option might suit you better.
A Little About the Bay
Halong Bay is a prime example of a karst landscape, where rainwater has slowly eroded the limestone over millions of years. The result? A mesmerizing maze of jungle-covered peaks, hidden caves, and dramatic cliffs.
But let’s be real, people don’t come here for a geology lesson. They come for the views. And with 2.6 million visitors a year, it’s clear that Halong Bay’s peaceful, jaw-dropping beauty is something truly special.
Cruise Options
What to expect on a one-day cruise
Since it takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay, a one-day visit means only a short time on the water. But for those on a tight budget or schedule, it can still be worth it. After all, a glimpse of Halong Bay is better than missing it entirely.
Here’s an example of a one-day cruise from Klook
Once on the bay, you’ll spend about 4 to 6 hours cruising, with stops at some of the most famous spots, like Ti Top Island (also written as Titop Island and sometimes called Titov Island), Sung Sot Cave, or Thien Cung Cave. Lunch is typically included, and there are plenty of options at different price points.
What to expect on a one-night cruise
While itineraries may vary, here’s a general idea of what a one-night cruise on the Paradise Elegance is like:
Day 1
- Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Check-in at the Paradise Suites Hotel at noon
- Board the ship, enjoy a welcome drink, and listen to the safety briefing
- Indulge in a fantastic buffet lunch. Ours included sushi, but I held back. I didn’t want to overdo it before the next activity!
- Take a tender to Ti Top Island where you can climb to the top for panoramic views (which we did) or relax on the beach
- Head to Luon Cave, which you can explore by bamboo boat or kayak
- Return to the Paradise Elegance for happy hour on the sundeck with live music and a cooking class featuring a popular Vietnamese dish
- Enjoy dinner, then either unwind at the piano bar or try your luck at squid fishing
Day 2
- Start the day with a Tai Chi session on deck
- Have breakfast before taking a tender to Sung Sot Cave, the largest in Halong Bay
- Return to the Paradise Elegance, check out, and have a light lunch before disembarking at 10:30 am
- Return to Hanoi
What to expect on a two-night cruise
Here’s what you can expect on a two-night cruise aboard the Paradise Elegance:
Day 1 – This follows the same itinerary as the one-night cruise.
Day 2 – Start your morning with breakfast. Warning: Vietnamese coffee is dangerously good. I had to limit myself since we’d be out and about, but wow, what a way to wake up.
While you’re enjoying breakfast, the one-night guests will be heading to Sung Sot Cave. I hadn’t realized that our ship offered both one- and two-night options, so when I saw people lining up for the tenders at 7:45 am, I had a brief moment of panic, thinking I’d missed something.
Once the one-night guests return to the Paradise Elegance to wrap up their cruise, you’ll transfer to a smaller ship, the Paradise Explorer, for the day.
- Visit Me Cuong Cave
- Relax over a delicious lunch on the Explorer
- Take a kayak to Trinh Nu Cave
- Unwind with afternoon tea on the Explorer
- Return to the Paradise Elegance in time for happy hour, complete with live music on the sundeck and a cooking class
- Savor a leisurely dinner, followed by a choice of a relaxing evening at the piano bar or trying your luck at squid fishing
Day 3 – This follows the same itinerary as Day 2 of the one-night cruise.
Is the two-night cruise worth the extra cost?
A one-night cruise lets you visit two of Halong Bay’s biggest highlights, Ti Top Island and Sung Sot Cave, along with a few other spots. But you’ll have less than 24 hours on the water.
As of this writing, a one-night cruise for two on the Paradise Elegance starts at $340, while a two-night cruise costs $665. That’s an extra $325 ($163 per person).
Most people on our boat went with the one-night option, but I’m glad we picked two.
Our day on the Explorer gave us plenty of time to relax, take in the scenery, and connect with other travelers.
And the lunch was amazing. There were four of us at the table, but they served enough food for eight. Dish after dish kept arriving, each one more delicious than the last.
Price Ranges for Halong Bay Cruises
All prices are per person and include transfers to and from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Of course, you might find some deals and you can always find something more expensive.
Expect to pay more from October to December, as it’s the best time to cruise Halong Bay thanks to lower temperatures and humidity. We cruised in October and paid more than the rates offered in the spring.
- One-day cruises: Typically range from $45 to $70. This catamaran cruise with transfer to and from Hanoi is $110 on Viator.
- One-night cruises: Generally fall between $130 and $360.
- Two-night cruises: Usually run from the mid-$200s to $450.
One-day, one-night, and two-night cruises are the most common, but there are other options like this four-day cruise to Ninh Binh & Halong Bay for $335 on GetYourGuide. I wish we’d seen it when we were booking!
Other Things to Note
If you’re coming from Hanoi, expect a total of 5 to 6 hours in transit, often with a stop at a souvenir shop. One of our stops turned out to be surprisingly interesting, featuring incredible hand-embroidered artwork. The other was a waste of time.
Our ship took safety seriously. In addition to a thorough safety briefing, the fire extinguishers were handy, and everyone was required to wear a buckled life vest on the tenders. The staff was also great about assisting passengers on and off the tenders.
Vietnamese tap water isn’t safe to drink, so we were provided with filtered water in glass bottles.
Service providers on the bay are prohibited from using plastic, and passengers on our ship weren’t allowed to bring plastic water bottles, even reusable ones, when leaving the ship.
One night at dinner, we were given the option of having two mains along with our starter and dessert. The portions weren’t much smaller than a regular main.
Halong Bay, along with much of Northern Vietnam, had been hit by Typhoon Yagi just a month before our cruise. We expected to see a lot of debris in the water, but surprisingly, there was very little.
The only downside to our experience was some speedboats. Occasionally, one would come roaring through the bay, completely shattering the peaceful vibe. I’d love to see that stop.
Alternatives to Halong Bay Cruises
Choosing a Halong Bay cruise can be overwhelming. There are countless options with varying price points, ship sizes, and slightly different itineraries. Like us, you might find yourself just picking one and hoping for the best. Fortunately, reviews suggest that your chances of landing a great experience are pretty high
If all the choices overwhelm you, you might want to consider the nearby alternatives of Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay.
Some travelers prefer these options because they’re less crowded than Halong Bay. While Halong Bay does have a lot of boats, we didn’t find them intrusive. The only time we encountered significant crowds was when leaving Sung Sot Cave, and even then, it was nothing compared to a busy Hanoi street.
Some travelers also mention pollution in Halong Bay. I can’t speak to the water quality, but apart from a few branches left behind by the recent typhoon, we saw no debris.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Located northeast of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is quieter and less touristy. One- and two-night cruises are available but the ships aren’t allowed to dock overnight in the bay, so they return to Halong Bay for the night.
Lan Ha Bay
Situated southwest of Halong Bay, on the southern end of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay offers a similar cruising experience to the Halong Bay cruises with the same breathtaking scenery.
If you’re looking for an alternative to a cruise, you can head to Cat Ba Island for a land-based trip, but that’s a topic for another day.
You might assume these lesser-known options come with lower price tags, but they don’t. Expect to pay about the same as you would for a Halong Bay cruise.
Conclusion
Even after more than six years of travel to countless stunning destinations, Halong Bay still wowed us. Whether you opt for a one-day, one-night, or two-night cruise, this is one experience you don’t want to miss.
Happy traveling,
Linda
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