Find your best Halong Bay cruises 2026

Yes, Halong Bay is definitely worth a try. As one of the world-famous natural heritage sites, Halong Bay features the best destination for cruising in Vietnam. Why is it worth it?

• Deeper exploration: Cruising is the best way to go further into the beautiful archipelago of the Gulf of Tonkin
• Perfect seascape: Stay 2 - 3 days relaxing on the ship, soaking up the fresh air and tranquility of the bay
• Exciting activities: Retreat by entertaining onboard (mini golf, poker, pool, spa, karaoke) and offboard (kayaking, boat rowing, cave visiting, catamaran, etc.)

Yes, Aussie travelers must have a visa to enter Vietnam and cruise Halong Bay. The easiest and most popular choice is a visa-on-arrival (VOA) or e-visa:

Visa on Arrival (VOA): AUD $30–60/person

• Requires a pre-approved letter before travel
• Land at airport and get visa stamped there
• Slightly more paperwork/fees on arrival

E-Visa (online): AUD $60/person

• Valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
• Processed in 3–5 working days
• Allows entry via major airports (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Van Don), ideal for Halong Bay trips

Tips

• Apply 1–2 weeks before travel to allow processing time
• Ensure your passport is valid for 6+ months and has 2+ blank pages
• Get the full guide to Vietnam Visa on Arrival before you go

You can contact us to apply for an eVisa with simple procedures and time-saving.

How long you stay in Halong Bay depends on your budget and available time.

• 1 night: On a budget from AUD $177/pax, you can visit 1 - 2 attractions and join tai chi, cooking class, kayaking, or boat rowing onboard.
• 2 nights: With AUD $338/pax or more, you can add on 1 - 2 hidden places to visit on the second day and enjoy more time sightseeing and relaxing.

Still wondering about your plan? Please contact us via sales@bestpricetravel.com or +84 904 699 428 (WhatsApp).

The ideal time for Australian travelers to explore Halong Bay is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its best.

Looking for great value? From May to September, Aussies can take advantage of summer deals and flash sales of up to 40% off—a perfect opportunity to swap the cooler weather at home for a warm, tropical escape.

To better plan, please check out our full guide on the Best Time to Visit Halong Bay for Perfect Weather & Great Deals.

Halong Bay offers a fantastic mix of activities for nature and culture lovers. Whether you are after a laid-back getaway or an active adventure, here’s what you can look forward to on a cruise:

• Kayaking: Paddle through calm waters and hidden lagoons at Dark & Bright Caves or Luon Cave
• Swimming: Take a refreshing dip at secluded beaches like Ba Trai Dao and Cap La Island
• Hiking: Climb to scenic viewpoints like those on Titov Island for a breathtaking panorama
• Cultural sites: Learn about local life with a visit to fishing villages, such as Cua Van and Viet Hai
• Vietnamese culinary: Taste local seafood and Vietnamese delicacies, with Aussie-friendly options
• Sunset party & night activities: Sip a cocktail at golden hour, enjoy night fun like squid fishing, live music
• Cave visiting: Be wowed by majestic karst formations of limestone caves like Sung Sot or Thien Canh Son

On average, the prices of cruise trips range from AUD $177 - $546 per person for 1 night, AUD $338 - $974 per person for 2 nights, and AUD $95 - $211 per person for a day trip.

Most cruises do not include the transfer in their package. You have to pay extra for the transfer if you want to be picked up from Hanoi.

Please see the price table for 2025 below for your reference:

* The price is per person in AUD

* Low season: May - Sep, High season: Jan - Apr & Oct - Dec

It takes around 2.5 hours (including break time) to transfer from Hanoi Old Quarter to Halong Bay by limousine bus or car. For those who transfer from Hanoi airport, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Halong Bay.

The slowest way is by train (7 hours), while the fastest way is by seaplane (45 minutes).

For those planning a Halong Bay cruise from Hanoi, these travel options will help you maximize your time enjoying the beautiful scenery. For further information, let’s check out 6 Best Ways to Travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

There are 2 main ports where most cruises start from Tuan Chau Port and Halong International Port at around 12:00 - 12:30 pm. Additionally, some cruises may depart from Vinashin Port (Hon Gai), Cai Lan, and other ports around Halong City and Hai Phong (50 km).

The overnight cruise usually returns to the port at 11:00 - 11:30 on the last day of the itinerary. You will get to your hotel in Hanoi by 15:30 - 16:00 in the afternoon. 

For the day cruise trip, the disembarkation time is around 16:00 - 17:00 and the drop-off time in Hanoi is approximately 20:00.

Note: If you want to book a flight on the same day, choose a domestic flight after 17:00 and an international flight after 18:00.

Yes, you are allowed to swim in some areas of the bay, specifically:

• Halong Bay: You can only swim in Titop Island, where most Halong overnight cruises pass by on the first day of the itinerary.
• Lan Ha Bay: You are freely swum by the overnight anchor point around Ao Ech and Tra Bau Area.
• Bai Tu Long Bay: Unlucky, swimming is restricted in this area for safety reasons.

Note: Please wear a life jacket if needed and don’t go swimming alone!

All cruises in Halong Bay must have permission from the Management Board to stay overnight in the bay. Based on the weather predictions (high winds, monsoons, thunderstorms, cyclones, storms...), the Management Board has the authority to cancel all cruises on a certain day to guarantee the safety of tourists.

In those cases, the following policies will be applied for the cruise: 

• If the cancellation is informed before you leave Hanoi (you have not used any service yet): 100% refund
• If the cancellation is informed during the trip (you have already used some services: transfer, lunch, day trip, hotel,...): Only the fee of these services will be charged and we will refund the whole remaining amount
• If the trip is cut down from 3 days/2 nights to 2 days/1 night, we will charge as 2 days/1 night trip, plus other services you have already used, and refund the remaining amount

Important notes:

• The cancellation is announced ONLY by the Management Board and often on short notice of time. Therefore, your understanding of these situations is highly appreciated.
• The period from May to July is considered stormy weather in Halong Bay, with many unpredictable weather conditions. Hence, more cruises will be canceled on short notice during this season.
• In all cases, please contact our consultants directly for any urgent help. We are here to support you with all of our best!

Your booking is subject to final confirmation from the cruise operator.

During peak season, cabin availability can change quickly due to last-minute bookings, system update delays, or occasional overbooking. Once we receive your payment, we immediately secure the cabin and send you a written confirmation when it is officially confirmed.

If your selected cabin becomes unavailable, we will offer similar alternatives or provide a full refund.

We highly recommend waiting for official confirmation before arranging non-refundable flights.