

What Is a Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi?
On December 17, 1994, UNESCO listed Halong Bay as a World Natural Heritage Site, becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam. On the vast and misty sea, countless islands of all sizes and strange peaks and rocks are scattered. The exquisite craftsmanship is breathtaking. A Halong Bay tour from Hanoi is a journey which takes you on an amazing cruise ship and shows you the natural beauty of Halong Bay.
Except for the cruise tour, you’re also able to explore the caves, visit fishing villages, relax on the beaches, go rock climbing, go kayaking or diving, etc. Tourists, who come to visit the capital city of Hanoi, won’t miss out on the Halong Bay tour during their days in Vietnam.

Is It Worth to Enjoy a Halong Bay tour from Hanoi?
Going to Halong Bay in Vietnam is really one of the must-visit attractions when you travel to Vietnam. Generally speaking, it is recommended that you first visit Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, for two days, and then drive to the port in Halong Bay to start your natural wonders journey!
Here are some highlights of the journey to Halong Bay to provide you with a very intuitive understanding. See the fun and value of playing here!
- Halong Bay Cruise: To visit Halong Bay, be sure to take an overnight cruise ship. Halong Bay has nearly 2,000 islands, and taking a cruise ship will take you to some famous islands to enjoy water fun and stunning natural landscapes.
- Cat Ba Island: It is located south of Halong Bay. Its altitude is only 200 meters, and the seawater is blue with a hint of green. From the summit, one can observe the dense vegetation of the entire island from afar. There is also a small beach here where tourists can relax.
- Hon Ga Choi: The two stone mountains of Hon Ga Choi are the most unique image of Halong Bay. It is about 12 meters high and looks like a pair of big chickens spreading their wings, standing face to face. On the way to Cat Ba Island, you will see them.
- Thien Cung Cave: It is 4 kilometers away from the dock, with an altitude of 20 meters and a total area of 3000 square meters. There are colorful and diverse giant stalactites formed through millions of years of geological evolution, as well as the cultural heritage of the dragon king image and its highly humanistic legends.
- Hang Luon Cave: It is located on Bo Hon Island, in the southern part of Halong Bay. You must go by kayak (or boat) through an underwater cavern. Freely control the kayak amidst the immense waves of Halong Bay.
- Tai Chi Class: Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art and a gently physical exercise combing deep breathing and relaxation with slow and easy movements. You’ll have a chance to join in a real Tai Chi Class held by authentic Tai Chi Master.
Things to Consider Before Booking a Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi
1. Best Time to Have a Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi
Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Halong Bay, specifically in March, April, September, and October. The weather during this time is quite delightful, with mild temperatures and a clear bright sky. Tourists can fully appreciate the emerald water and enjoy their outdoor water sports as well.
2. Food on Halong Bay Cruise
Tourists do not need to worry about the meals when on a Halong Bay cruise tour. It offers well-designed breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also the brunch. Mantis Shrimp, Squid, Horseshoe, Peanut Worm, Australia Corrugata, Oysters, and Barnacle are considered the best seafood on Halong Bay.

3. Vegetarian Food on the Halong Bay Cruise
Make your dietary requests at least 48 hours in advance so that the chefs have ample time to prepare. Besides vegetarian, other dietary preferences such as Islamic and vegan dietary can be offered on personalized menus. Corn soup and buttered bread, Snow White Salad, and Fired mashed vegetables are the top food during the cruise.
4. What to Bring on a Halong Bay Tour?
Make sure you have the things you need to bring. Besides your passport or ID, bring items that you usually use, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a sunhat, and flip-flops. A swimsuit is needed when you are off-board and go to swim. Also, casual T-shirts and light jackets (in case getting cold) are needed when you are onboard.
5. How Much Does It Cost to Explore a Halong Bay Tour?
Different cruise routes can vary in prices, but paying between US$125-US$160 should get you a worthwhile overnight Halong Bay cruise. A basic one-day cruise tour costs around $50 USD per person, while a luxury one could cost more like upwards of $500 USD per person.
Detailed Itinerary for a Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi
This 4-day tour of Hanoi and Halong Bay features the combination of the capital city and stunning nature. Check out the travel map below and read the itinerary in detail. Do not hesitate to let us know your requests and queries.

Hanoi Arrival
See more
Welcome to Hanoi!
Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure for recovery.
Note: If your arrival time is early, and you prefer to explore the city instead of taking a nap, please kindly tell our travel consultant, and we’ll recommend one of our suggested activities like enjoying the Hanoi food tour by motorbike at night, or having a half-day cooking class, or walking around the Hanoi food street.


Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
See more
Enjoy your breakfast. In the morning at 8:00 am - 8:30 am, you will be met by our tour guide at your hotel, start to explore the city of Hanoi. The morning’s activities include:
1. Tran Quoc Pagoda: located on the shores of West Lake, this pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism, a must-see for any of Hanoi city tour.
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: one of the most famous works in Vietnam. With great cultural and historical value, it will expand your understanding of the country.
3. One Pillar Pagoda: Hanoi’s iconic landmark not to be missed, famous for its extraordinary architecture. This Pagoda is not only a famous tourist attraction but also a religious stop for local pilgrims.
4. Temple of Literature: one of the top historical attractions in Hanoi, which is the first university in Vietnam. The temple represents Vietnamese ancient architecture and traditional fondness for learning.
End of the sightseeing, you will have lunch at authentic Vietnamese restaurant, and then take a rest. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the following activities:
1. Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple: famous for its peaceful beauty, cultural as well as historical values.
2. Taking a traditional cyclo tour through the Old Quarter: the fascinating experience of rickshaws driving around the Old Quarter and experience the daily life of the local.
3. Savor the best street food in the world: Never miss out the Vietnam food
After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel in Hanoi. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.


Halong Bay Cruise (B, L , D)
See more
In the morning, after breakfast, the cruise staff will pick you up at about 8:00 am, and then head to the cruise port of Halong Bay. It takes about 3 hours to arrive. Upon arrival, the cruise staff will help you with the check-in at around 12:00 am.
Welcome onboard in Halong Bay! You will be greeted with a welcome drink and the introduction and guidelines. Then, you will enjoy the lunch onboard in the elegant dining room.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy some exciting activities such as sightseeing, kayaking, or swimming according to each cruise’s itinerary. Some cruise tours may have other tourist sightseeing, such as Cat Ba Island, Hon Ga Choi, Thien Cung Cave, and Hang Luon Cave.
While onboard, you can take advantage of the leisure time of the Spa, Beauty, and Massage services surrounded by the stunning scenery around you. Besides, you can also join in the chef’s cooking class and learn the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.
In the evening, an elegant dinner is ready with a fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.
After dinner, enjoy a leisurely evening onboard, such as joining in board games, squid fishing, a night movie, or bars & karaoke.


Halong Bay Cruise; Hanoi Departure (B)
See more
Your second day of Halong Bay Cruise will start with a Tai Chi class for 20 minutes to breathe the fresh air and brighten the day.
After breakfast, continue with the exploration of the tourist sites on Halong Bay. At around 10:00 am, it’s time to pack your luggage for checkout.
At about 11:30 am, your cruise boat will sail back to the port and you will enjoy an early lunch on the way. Then, you’ll be escorted to the airport in Hanoi.
Hope you enjoyed a great trip with us and we look forward to seeing you next time.
Note: If you’re planning to continue exploring the Indochina region, like Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, please never hesitate to tell us, we’re tour experts for all of these destinations.


- Flight tickets with airport tax are listed in above itinerary.
- Entrance fee and sightseeing are listed in the itinerary.
- Private English-speaking tour guide service.
- Private van for land transportation with cold drinking water and soft drink.
- Meals are listed in the itinerary (B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner).
Enquire about this tip and your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 0.5-23.5 hours.
You are inquiring on:
10 Days Bangkok to Saigon Relaxing Tour
- Tour Code:INT-TV-TV10
- Length: 10 Days
- Route: Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Danang - Hoi An - Saigon
- Price: USD
- Departure Date:
More Halong Bay Tours from Hanoi
Find out more tours related to Halong Bay in the following itineraries. Read the details and choose the one you favorite. They all offer you an amazing experience to the wonderland of limestones, caves, and beaches.
-
4 Days Hanoi Tour with Halong Bay Cruise
Tour Route:Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi
This 4-day classic tour begins in Hanoi, where you'll visit top attractions like the Ho Chi Minh Mauso ...
-
7 Days Northern Vietnam Historical & Natural Tour Package
Tour Route:Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh - Hanoi
Start in Hanoi, a city rich in history and culture. Explore the beautiful Sapa rice fields, the peacef ...
-
8 Days Best of Vietnam Tour Package
Tour Route:Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon - Mekong Delta – Saigon
Explore Vietnam's fascinating charm on an exciting journey through its famous cities and beautiful ...
-
9 Days Vietnam Highlights Tour to Discover Halong Bay
Tour Route:Saigon - My Tho - Danang - Hoi An - Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi
If you are ready to experience the beauty of Vietnam, you should take this 9-day tour that will show ...
-
14 Days Highlights of Vietnam from North to South
Tour Route:Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Can Tho – Phu Quoc
Find the very best of Vietnam from North to South. From the vibrant streets of Hanoi to the terraced ...
Unsatisfied with tour itineraries above?
Contact us to get your 1-on-1 travel consultant to tailor your own Halong Bay tour from Hanoi
Tailor-make Your Own TripMore Useful Travel Information about Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi
- Pros and cons of the day cruises: Some of the tourists want to order just one-day cruise in Halong Bay which is also possible and accessible. It costs less money about $50-$60 but may be crowded with only time enough for a few stops.
- Luxury cruises: Halong Bay has some sumptuous cruise options that are luxury hotels on water. Spend around US$300-350 for a cabin. You may enjoy five-star amenities here, such as a spa or gym, as well as higher quality meals.
- Why is kayaking so attractive?: Most of the tours offer service about kayaking. Paddling around the karsts allows tourists to experience the limestone towers from a completely different angle.
- Safety on a Halong Bay tour: Cruise ships are all equipped with integrated boat-wide alarm systems, life rings, life rafts, and fire extinguishers. All passengers should take part in a safety briefing before each cruise. And there are Captain and professional Deck Crew.
- Booking tips: Double check your cheapest cruises, since activities like kayaking and island bike rides may cost extra. The ticket price of the ship will vary depending on whether you arrive at the port early or not. If you are in Hanoi, there will also be a transfer fee.
FAQs about Planning a Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi






Get Insipred by More Tour Ideas
What Our Customers Saying...














































Tell Us Your Indochina Tour Plan








