Airport near Halong Bay: Which Airport is Nearest to Halong Bay for Cruising?

Halong Bay doesn’t have its own airport, but don’t worry, there are several great airports near Halong Bay, Van Don International Airport, Cat Bi International Airport and Noi Bai International Airport.

The closest is Van Don International Airport, which gets you to the bay fastest. Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong is a bit farther but offers more flight choices. And if you’re flying internationally, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is a popular choice. It’s the farthest relatively, but it gives you the perfect excuse to explore Hanoi along the way!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through where Halong Bay is, which airports to consider, and how to get to Halong Bay easily, then your trip will start smoothly and stress-free!

Where is Halong Bay Located in Vietnam? Is There an Airport in Halong Bay Area?

Halong Bay is in Quang Ninh Province in northeast Vietnam. It lies along the Gulf of Tonkin, near Hai Phong, about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi, the capital city. The bay covers a large area (about 1553 km²) of islands.

Although it is a major tourist destination known for its scenic Halong Bay tours, the bay itself has no airport. If you search for an airport near Halong Bay, there will be no airport on the water or islands. Instead, you can fly into one of the nearby airports and then travel by road or boat to reach Halong Bay.

Enjoying the beautiful sunset in Halong Bay makes you feel peaceful and comfortable.

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Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh - Hanoi

There are 3 Airports Nearest to Halong Bay for Cruising

There are three main airports that you can choose to reach Halong Bay cruises, listed here from closest to farthest:

Van Don International Airport (VDO) to Halong Bay for Cruising

Van Don International Airport opened in 2018 and is Vietnam’s first private international airport. It was built to serve Ha Long and the northeast region. This is the closest airport near Halong Bay, only about 55-60 km from Halong Bay (about a 1-hour drive), so this is the fastest way to get to the cruise pier.

Van Don handles daily domestic flights and a few international routes. Domestic service connects Van Don with major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. The main airlines providing services are Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways.

From Van Don International Airport, you can take a free shuttle bus to Ha Long City—routes 14A and 14B, which run from the airport to Ha Long about every 30 minutes, and these connect to the main piers such as Hon Gai. A taxi to Ha Long City takes about 45-60 minutes and costs roughly $13-$17. Private car hires are also common.

Van Don International Airport looks very special at night.

Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) to Halong Bay for Cruising

Cat Bi International Airport is the second-nearest airport to Halong Bay, being only about 60-65 km from the bay, and it takes about 70 minutes drive. It became an international airport in 2016 and handles some overseas flights.

It operates domestic flights as well as some international routes. Vietnamese carriers include Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways fly from Cat Bi to major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, etc..

From Cat Bi International Airport to Halong Bay, the easiest option is a taxi or private car (about 45-60 minutes). A taxi to Halong Bay costs around $30-$40. Many travelers share a car or van to save money, around $20 per person. For budget travelers, local Bus 07 runs from Cat Bi into Ha Long (via Cong Den) for only $0.3- $0.6, though it is slower and may need transfers.

Cat Bi International Airport is not crowded at night.

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to Halong Bay for Cruising

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is the largest airport near Halong Bay, 150-170 kilometers from Halong Bay, and the drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Although it is relatively far from Halong Bay, it is an ideal choice for travelers who want to explore Hanoi before taking a Halong Bay tour from Hanoi, and is best suited for international travelers.

Noi Bai handles flights to almost all destinations, it is Vietnam’s main aviation hub. It has nonstop domestic flights to cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, and many international flights to Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Busan, and more. Major airlines (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, plus foreign airlines) operate here.

There are several options from Hanoi, you must continue by road. Many tour buses and shuttles run from Hanoi to Halong Bay daily. For example, the Anbasco shuttle bus departs Noi Bai International Airport for Ha Long about every hour (costs about $11). Taxis and private cars are also available (but expensive, around $50-$58 one way). You can also take a limousine van from Hanoi or even the Hai Au seaplane for 45 minutes at a high price.

Noi Bai International Airport is the largest airport in Hanoi.

Which is the Most Recommended Way to Get to Halong Bay for Cruising?

Choosing the best route depends on your schedule and budget. No matter which you choose, the key airports are Van Don, Cat Bi, and Noi Bai.

In general, flying to Van Don International Airport is the fastest way if you can. Van Don is the closest airport near Halong Bay. For example, a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Van Don takes about 2 hours, and from there it’s about a 45-minute drive to Ha Long City. The free shuttle buses 14A/14B or a short taxi from Van Don get you to the cruise pier quickly. If a direct flight to Van Don is available, most tourists prefer it because it minimizes travel time.

If flights to Van Don are not available or are expensive, the next recommended option is flying into Noi Bai and then going by road. Noi Bai International Airport has many more flights, especially international ones. From Hanoi, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to Halong. For example, a shuttle bus like the Anbasco runs regularly (3-4 hours, about $11). Private cars and limousine vans from Hanoi are also common, and many travelers combine the journey with a short Hanoi tour to explore the capital before heading to Halong Bay.

Cat Bi International Airport offers cheaper flights and connecting options, and is a fine alternative airport near Halong Bay, but it has fewer international flights. If you have the right connections, then Cat Bi offers a shorter land trip to Halong, about 1 hour. A taxi or shared van from Cat Bi gets you to Ha Long in under an hour, avoiding the long drive from Hanoi.

It would be very relaxing to choose to take a cruise to visit Halong Bay.

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Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi

More Tips about Getting to Halong Bay

Book flights and transfers early to Halong Bay

Halong Bay is very popular, especially in spring and summer. Book your airport tickets and cruise transfers in advance to secure your seat.

Allow enough time for the Halong Bay Cruise

The road from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay takes about 3-4 hours. If your cruise departs in the morning, it is often more comfortable to arrive in Halong City or Hanoi the day before.

Bring cash when taking a taxi or bus to cruise Halong Bay

Shuttle buses often accept cash or mobile payment, but most airport taxis and local buses only take cash. Just keep cash ready for a taxi from Van Don or Cat Bi (one way) and for a taxi from Hanoi.

Know your Halong Bay cruise pier

Halong Bay cruises usually board from either Hon Gai Pier (in Ha Long City) or from Tuan Chau Marina (on Tuan Chau Island). Tell your driver or transfer company which pier your boat uses for you to go to the correct location.

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Halong Bay cruise pier makes the cruise process very convenient and fast.

Conclusion

Halong Bay is a destination well worth visiting, and choosing the right airport can make your trip smoother. Generally speaking, Van Don International Airport is the first choice due to its convenient location. However, depending on your schedule, Cat Bi and Noi Bai Airports are also good choices.

No matter which airport you choose, you will embark on an unforgettable sailing adventure on a Halong Bay cruise. Start planning your trip now - your dream trip to Vietnam is only a plane ride away! If you have any other questions or information you want to know, just contact us.