Are you planning to take a Halong Bay cruise during your stay in Vietnam?
Halong Bay is world renowned for being one of the most picturesque places on the planet. Finding the best Halong Bay cruise can be challenging, as there are many boats to choose from each with varying degrees of luxury and style. To take the hard work out of planning your Ha Long Bay trip we have put together a list of the top Halong Bay boat cruises.
- Visiting Halong Bay Vietnam
- What is the best Ha Long Bay cruise
- Where is Halong Bay?
- How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Top Picks for the Best Halong Bay Cruise
- What to expect on an overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise
- Cruising on Halong Bay
- Cruise departure and return to Hanoi
- Halong Bay Cruise Options
- Last Words on best Halong Bay cruise
Visiting Halong Bay Vietnam
Halong bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is shrouded in myth. Legend has it that Halong Bay was created by a family of dragons which descended from heaven to protect the Vietnamese people from invasion. The dragons spat fire and jewels of jade and emerald into the sea which later became the islands you see today.
Cruising past these towering limestone formations it is not hard to imagine the dragons flying above. Whether you believe the legend or not, the sight of these majestic island pillars and the turquoise waters of the peaceful inlets will leave you breathless.
We have taken 2 cruises of Halong Bay during our stays in Vietnam and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Our latest cruise was in 2022 when Vietnam reopened to tourism. During this visit we took a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi and we were pleased to see cruising on Halong Bay back in full swing.
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What is the best Ha Long Bay cruise
To help you choose the best cruise in Halong bay we have selected many of the top selling cruises. These cruises all offer Halong Bay sightseeing tours and range from 1 day to 3 day duration. Keep reading below for additional information on what to expect during Halong Bay tours.
Where is Halong Bay?
Taking its name from the “descending dragon”, Halong Bay (or Ha Long Bay) is in the Quang Ninh Province of Northern Vietnam. Most people visiting Halong Bay will begin their journey from Hanoi the capital of Vietnam. The distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay is 125 km with a drive time between 3 and 4 hours depending on traffic.
Halong Bay Map
How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Most Halong Bay cruise lines will arrange transport from Hanoi to Halong Bay and return from Halong Bay to Hanoi. Keep in mind that some cruise lines may charge for this service, and this will need to be taken into consideration when booking your cruise.
There are also shuttle bus transfers from Hanoi to Halong Bay, which are perfect for the independent traveller. For more information on Hanoi to Halong Bay transport see below.
Click here to book Hanoi to Halong Bay transfers
Top Picks for the Best Halong Bay Cruise
What style of Halong Bay boat cruise you choose will depend on the length of cruise and your budget. Here is our selection of the top Halong Bay day cruises, overnight cruises and 2 night cruise options.
What to expect on an overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise
Our 2 day 1 night overnight cruise commenced with hotel pickup from Hanoi and the journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay wharf was 4 hours via minibus. If you are taking a cruise of Halong Bay from Hanoi check to make sure the return journey is included in the price. In most cases it should be included.
Cruising on Halong Bay
At the wharf we were picked up by tender and taken to the boat that would be our home for the night. Our cabin was comfortable, with a big picture window that took in the view and a good sized bathroom.
As the boat set sail we sat down for a 4 course lunch that was delicious and filling. Drinks are not normally included in the price of the cruise including water. This is something we were aware of, so we took a large bottle of water on board with us.
Following lunch we had free time to relax on the viewing deck and take in the beauty of the bay which is breathtaking. The limestone islands that rise out of the water are covered in thick vegetation and the home to an abundance of birdlife.
Visiting Halong Bay Caves
Our cruise included a stop off at Sung Sot Cave. It is a very popular stop off point for many of the Halong Bay cruises and is quite busy with many boats dropping off tourists. The stairs are in places quite steep and can be slippery. The caves are spectacular opening into three chambers, well-lit and massive. A Halong Bay cave visit is a highlight of any bay cruise.
Kayaking in Halong Bay
Most cruises of Halong Bay including 1, 2 or 3 day cruises will normally include kayaking. This fun adventure lets you cool down and Kayak through the green waters of this glorious bay. Glide through a limestone archway thousands of years old and get a closer look at the vegetation and rock formations that make up Halong bay.
Happy Hour & Dinner on board the Vietnamese Junk Boat
Following the action packed afternoon, it’s time to relax on deck, relax and enjoy Halong Bay spectacular scenery during Happy Hour before venturing to the dining room for a delicious meal.
Our cruise dinner consisted of 4 courses with an extensive selection to choose from. Depending on the specific cruise you choose dining choices may vary with some of the higher priced cruises offering a wider choice of offerings. Our cruise was mid-range price, and we could not fault the quality of the meal.
Following dinner we had the choice of relaxing and enjoying the starlight views or trying our hand at squid fishing. The onboard crew cater to all tastes, and you have the flexibility to engage in the activities or just relax.
Cruise cabin layouts
The onboard cabin was spotlessly clean and although compact had everything we needed including comfortable bed, bathroom, and seating area. The configuration of onboard cabins will depend on the style of cruise you choose.
I remember looking out the cabin window, and seeing the full moon shining across the water, silhouetting the towering formations and the coloured lights of the other boats reflecting across the water, a magical experience.
Morning activities on cruises
We woke early to greet the day and watched the sun rise while taking the Tai Chi class, it’s a lot of fun, a lot harder than it looks, and we had a lot of laughs. A wonderful way to start the day.
After a hearty cooked breakfast we visit Ti Top Island to cool off with a swim or for the more adventurous you can climb up to the viewpoint and take in the spectacular views overlooking Halong Bay. Ti Top Island we were told by the onboard guide was named after a Russian astronaut.
After returning to the boat it was time for a cooking class, we learnt how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, which were cooked and served as part of our 4 course brunch (we were never going to starve on this cruise).
Cruise departure and return to Hanoi
Around midday it was time to disembark, and we were taken back to shore by tender to start our 4 hour bus journey back to our Hanoi accommodation.
Although our cruise was only 1 night it was action packed with multiple activities to choose from and we felt it was value for money. We have since revisited for a full day Ha Long Bay cruise and if you are pressed for time the full day cruise offers many of the features of the overnight cruise.
Halong Bay Cruise Options
There are many Halong Bay cruise options, Day Cruises, 2 Day I Night Cruises and 3 Days 2 Night Cruises all with different levels of luxury and some with different itinerary choices and optional extras such as spa treatments. With so many boats to choose from there is something for every budget.
Last Words on best Halong Bay cruise
We enjoyed our trip to Ha Long Bay, it was unforgettable experience in an absolutely stunning part of the World.
Have you been to Halong Bay? What was your experience like? What cruise did you go on? We would love to hear your story.
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