Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Vietnam, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Taking a Halong Bay cruise is the most popular way to experience this wonder of nature, and most travelers reach the cruise departure point from Hanoi. The options for Halong Bay cruises are numerous, with a wide range of cruise ships available for Vietnam visitors. Discover all the best cruises in one place at Hanoi Cruise, and choose the best Halong Bay dinner cruise from Hanoi for your taste and budget.
To ensure you pick the right cruise for your taste, consider a few key factors that are detailed below. The main points to keep in mind when choosing a Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi are
- Cruising duration.
- Cruise ship.
- Cabin options.
- Price of the cruise.
- Departure port.
- Cruise inclusions (food, drinks, activities).
1. Cruising Duration
There are many tours from Hanoi that offer a 1-day trip to Halong Bay with a short cruise. It is the most affordable option, which is convenient enough, with return transportation from Hanoi included.
If you wish to organize transportation from Hanoi to the cruise departure point independently, choose a cheaper 1-day Halong Bay cruise option with boarding at Halong Port (Tuan Chau Marina Port) or Cat Ba Island.
The most popular is this affordable 1-day cruise from Hanoi, while luxurious 1-day tours are offered by Serenity Grandeur Cruise and Taliya Cruise.
Taking a 1-day Halong Bay tour from Hanoi might be enough if your time in Northern Vietnam is very limited. However, for anyone who has plenty of time and is not on a very tight budget, taking a multi-day Halong Bay cruise is recommended. It will let you fully admire the bay's natural beauty. The duration of a multi-day cruise varies from a 2-day cruise with one night on the boat to as much as 5 days and 4 nights on the cruise. Some cruises might offer an even longer cruise duration, but such options are less common.
A 2-day/1-night cruise and a longer 3-day/2-night cruise are the most popular choices for an overnight Halong Bay cruise and are offered by all service providers. All of them also include or offer for an extra charge return transportation from/to Hanoi.
Discover the most popular 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruises.
2. Halong Bay Cruise Ship
Even if most Halong Bay cruises present themselves as luxurious or 5-star, it might not always be the case. If you are looking for the most luxurious cruise from Hanoi, check out the list of the best Halong Bay cruises.
If you want more romantic atmosphere and prefer a higher-class experience, choose one of the top Halong Bay cruises that are offering an overnight cruise, such as Elite of the Seas, Stellar of The Seas, or a brand new Bhaya Soul Cruise.
In case you have no plan to stay overnight but still want to experience Halong Bay in decent luxury, choose one of the higher-end 1-day cruises from Hanoi, such as the Serenity Grandeur Cruise or the Taliya Cruise.
3. Cabin Options on Cruise Ship
The cruise ships offering multi-day cruises on Halong Bay normally have several types of cabins available. To ensure a comfortable experience, pay attention to the size of the room and check the photos of different room types on the cruise.
Even if normally all cabins on the cruise come with all necessary amenities and facilities, you might wish to look for a room with a private balcony, a bathtub, or even a Jacuzzi.
4. Price of the Hanoi Cruise
Most Hanoi cruises offer a much better price for online bookings. The best offers for a wide selection of Halong Bay cruises can be found via the following links:
Multi-day cruises in Halong Bay
1-Day Cruises
By price, Hanoi 1-day cruises to Halong Bay can be grouped as the following:
- High-end cruises with a price of more than 80 USD per person with transfer from/to Hanoi
- Mid-range cruises with a price between 50 USD and 80 USD per person with transfer from/to Hanoi
- Affordable cruises with a price under 50 USD per person with transfer from/to Hanoi
The high-end Hanoi cruises are the ones offering a 1-day Halong Bay cruise with transfer from Hanoi for around 80-100 USD. Luxurious 1-day tours are offered by a number of cruises, such as Luna Halong Cruise, Leona Cruise, Serenity Grandeur Cruise, and Taliya Cruise.
The selection of mid-range cruises in Hanoi is much wider, as almost all 1-day Halong Bay cruises fall into this range. The best-rated mid-range cruises are the most popular 1-day cruise, the Hercules Cruise with different cruise and transfer options, and the Tropical Cruise with a giant inflatable swimming pool.
The most affordable Hanoi cruises let you enjoy the Halong Bay cruise experience for less than 50 USD with transfer from/to Hanoi. Some of the most popular budget cruises in this price range are Cozy Bay Cruise, this deluxe cruise, and Halong Asiana Cruise, which is one of the cheapest cruises that can fit in the 50 USD price range with transfers.
In case a transfer from/to Hanoi is not needed, Halong Bay cruises cost around 10 USD less. Therefore, the cheapest cruises cost under 40 USD for travelers who arrive at the departure point independently.
Multi-Day Cruises
By price, Hanoi multi-day cruises to Halong Bay can be grouped as the following:
- Affordable cruises with a price under 150 USD per person in a double occupancy cabin (with transfer)
- Mid-range cruises with a price between 150 USD and 250 USD per person in a double occupancy cabin (with transfer)
- High-end cruises with a price of more than 250 USD per person in a double occupancy cabin (with transfer from/to Hanoi)
The most affordable cruises let you enjoy the overnight Halong Bay cruise experience for less than 150 USD per person with transfer from/to Hanoi. Some of the most popular cruises in this price range are this 5-star cruise and this boutique cruise.
The selection of mid-range cruises is much wider, as many multi-day Halong Bay cruises fall into this price range. The most popular mid-range cruises offering a 2-day/1-night cruise are seen below.
The high-end cruises are the ones offering a 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise starting from 250 USD per person or 500 USD per room. The price of the cruise can be significantly higher, depending on the type of the cabin and the time of the cruise, as promotions are mainly offered in low season. The best-rated Halong Bay cruises that are offering an overnight cruise are Elite of the Seas, Stellar of The Seas, and a brand new Bhaya Soul Cruise.
5. Hanoi Cruise Departure Port
There are two main piers for boarding the Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi: Tuan Chau Marina and Cat Ba Island. In case you travel to the departure port independently, you might wish to choose the cruise with a more convenient departure pier.
Tuan Chau Marina is the most popular Halong Bay cruise departure point, where the majority of cruises from Hanoi are boarded.
Cat Ba Island is the departure point for cruises that are visiting the more relaxed Lan Ha Bay first.
If you book a cruise with return transportation from Hanoi, the departure port isn't very important, as you are transferred all the way to the port.
6. Hanoi Cruise Inclusions
Hanoi cruise food, drink, and activity inclusions vary quite a lot.
When it comes to food, 1-day Halong Bay cruises serve a set-menu lunch or a buffet with a combination of Vietnamese and international dishes and seafood. Buffet lunch is usually available on a bit more luxurious cruises that are offering a slightly wider choice and higher quality of food.
On multi-day cruises from Hanoi, full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is normally included.
Most Hanoi cruises only include drinking water and sometimes a welcome drink (usually a soft drink, tea, or coffee), while all other drinks need to be purchased on board. The more luxurious the cruise is, the higher drink prices can be expected at the bar of the cruise. Pay attention that some cruises that include a sunset party also offer complimentary drinks like red wine during the party.
Visiting different islands, caves, and beaches, as well as kayaking and/or taking a bamboo boat to the cave, are the activities included in the majority of 1-day and multi-day Halong Bay cruises. All entry and boat fees are normally covered, but make sure that's the case with your chosen cruise, especially when the price is lower than at other cruises.
Multi-day cruises from Hanoi also often include other interesting activities, such as cooking classes, nighttime squid fishing, and Tai Chi on the boat. This 5-star cruise is offering all of this at an affordable price.
Where to book a Halong Bay cruise from Bangkok?
Your chosen best Halong Bay cruise can be conveniently booked via online travel agencies like GetYourGuide and Booking.com.
Read the reviews of the cruise you're interested in before deciding, as there are many types of cruises offered in Hanoi, from standard junks to 5-star luxury cruise ships, so you can choose a Halong Bay cruise depending on your budget and preferences.
Sample Itinerary of Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi
The most common itineraries of the most popular multi-day Halong Bay cruise options are detailed below.
2D1N Cruise from Hanoi
Day 1:
- Trip from Hanoi to the port by bus or limousine
- Start the cruise
- Luon Cave area for kayaking
- Titop Island
- Sunset tea break
- Seafood dinner
- Squid fishing
Day 2:
- Breakfast
- Surprising Cave (Sung Sot)
- Cooking class
- Lunch
- Return to Hanoi
3D2N Cruise from Hanoi
Day 1:
- Trip from Hanoi to the port by bus or limousine
- Start the cruise
- Luon Cave area for kayaking
- Sunset tea break
- Seafood dinner
- Squid fishing
Day 2:
- Breakfast
- Head Islet and Drum Area
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Private beach visit
- Lunch
- Pearl farm
- Titop Island
- Cua Van Floating Village
- Sunset tea break
- Dinner
Day 3:
- Breakfast
- Surprising Cave (Sung Sot)
- Cooking Class
- Lunch
- Return to Hanoi
Best time for a Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi
Halong Bay can be visited in any month. However, each season has advantages and disadvantages.
February to April
It is a good time to cruise in Halong Bay as the weather in Northern Vietnam is getting warmer. Most of the days see good weather with blue sky, and only on some days a little rain is expected. The temperature in these months may vary between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. The number of tourists visiting is still lower.
May to August
This is the summertime of Halong Bay. The temperature is rising. On some days, there is a little rain, but mostly the days are sunny with a clear bright sky. During this time you can expect to make the most beautiful pictures of the bay. Those who love activities will definitely enjoy cruising in summer because you can surely do all the activities in Halong Bay, such as kayaking or swimming, without worrying about the weather. The disadvantage of visiting Halong Bay during this period is that it's the high season, and the prices are higher and the bay is crowded with tourists.
September to November
If you are worried about the weather and don't want to experience bad weather in Halong Bay, then you should avoid this time of the year because there is a high chance of monsoon. When visiting Halong Bay during these months, it is recommended to bring warm clothing and waterproof jackets. Depending on luck, you can still experience some sunny days with clear blue sky. The advantage of visiting Halong Bay during this period is that it is the low season, and you can expect to see fewer tourists and get a discount for many cruises.
December and January
If you like cold weather, we recommend you come to Halong Bay during this time of the year because the temperature keeps getting lower. The weather is not as hot as in the summer, and it can be cloudy all day. However, some days still bring clear blue skies. These months are the time of holidays and celebrations like Christmas and New Year, so the best Halong Bay cruise ships often have special offers for this occasion.