Find Your Perfect Halong Bay Cruise

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.)

For Canadian travelers, the ideal time to explore Halong Bay is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). These seasons offer the most pleasant weather and fewer crowds—perfect for cruising, sightseeing, and outdoor adventures.

If you're looking to escape the cold back home, late February to April is also a great window for a warm and relaxing getaway in Halong.

Check out our complete guide on the Best Time to Visit Halong Bay for ideal weather and travel deals!

The average cruise price ranges from CAD $155 to $425 per person for one night, CAD $295 to $785 per person for two nights, and CAD $95 to $170 per person for a day trip.

Most cruise lines do not include transfers in their packages. If you want to be picked up from Hanoi, you must pay an additional transfer fee.

Please refer to the price table for 2025 below:

* The price is per person in CAD

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

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

• 1 night: On a budget from US $108/pax, you can visit 1 - 2 attractions and join tai chi, cooking class, kayaking, or boat rowing onboard.
• 2 nights: With US $206/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 keep in touch with us via sales@bestpricetravel.com or +84 904 699 428 (WhatsApp).

Whether you're adding Halong Bay to your Vietnam adventure, here’s what you can look forward to:

• Water adventures: Kayak through hidden lagoons like Luon Cave or Dark & Bright Cave, swim off the boat or at pristine beaches like Ba Trai Dao
• Hike for scenic views: Climb Titov Island or Trung Trang Cave for incredible panoramic views
• Explore caves & grottoes: Admire stunning stalactites and mysterious formations at Surprise Cave and Thien Canh Son
• Vietnamese cuisine & cooking class: Taste your way through Vietnamese delights and a hands-on cooking class
• Visit floating villages & pearl farms: Learn about traditional life in the floating village or see how pearls are farmed
• Sunset cocktails & onboard activities: Grab a drink at Happy Hour, try spa/gym/poker/games/mini-golf, etc.
• Relax in comfort: Appreciate the cozy comfort of modern cabins with private balconies and warm service

It takes around 2.5 - 3 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 of driving 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, monsoon, thunderstorm, cyclone, storm...), 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!