Halong Bay Cruise Port & Terminal: Guide to arrange Proper Transfer

About Halong Bay Cruise Port & Terminal

Halong Bay is divided into 4 main parts: Halong Bay central (the center of the bay), Bai Tu Long Bay (to the northeast), Lan Ha Bay (to the south), and Cat Ba Island (to the southwest).

There are 5 cruise ports in Halong Bay to embark tourist to visit the each part of the Bay. International cruise ports such as Cai Lan and Halong International Cruise Port welcome both international and domestic cruises. Domestic ports such as Tuan Chau pier, Hon Gai harbor, Got pier mostly are embarking terminal for the domestic cruises.

Therefore, do not forget to check which port or terminal of your cruise will embark on to arrange the proper transfer. 

Halong bay cruise port & terminal maps

International Cruise Port in Halong Bay

There are 2 international cruise ports in Halong Bay which can receive a big ship carrying over 5,000 TEUs and international cruise ship: Cai Lan and Halong International Cruise port (Sun Group port). 

Cai Lan port - The deepest water Halong cruise port

Location: No 1, Cai Lan Street, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province (155 kilometers from Hanoi, capital of Vietnam)

Invested by the ODA of the Government of Japan since 1999, Cai Lan has become the number one International Container Terminal in the North of Vietnam. The 13-meter deep and modern equipment system allows the port to receive container ships carrying over 5,000 TEUs. It currently consists of 3 piers, one of which can accommodate 40,000 DWT ships. However, it is expected to expand 2 more piers by 2030. 

Cai Lan is not only a cargo port but also an attractive destination for international cruises due to its natural beauty of the landscapes as well as a lot of investments for marine transportation and other infrastructure. 

From Cai Lan, visitors who are interested in the geography and geology or stalagmites and stalactites can take a guided tour to Thien Cung Cave, or Sung Sot cave. Those who love to learn more about the local life can visit the Cua Van Floating Village to catch a glimpse of how the everyday life of the locals in the region is.

Cai Lan - The deepest water cruise port in Halong Bay

Halong International Cruise Port - The newest cruise port

• Location: No.9 Halong Road, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City 
• Capacity: 300 boats
• Cruises depart from:Scarlet Pearl, Dragon Legend, Lily, Dragon Pearl Junk

Located in the center of the Bai Chay tourist area, next to the Sun World Halong Complex, Ha Long International Cruise Port (Sun Group port) is the perfect place for all kinds of domestic and international cruisers. It has welcomed nearly 56,000 visitors from about 40 international ships, including Celebrity Millennium, World Dream, Mein Chiff, Westerdam, and Voyager of the Sea.

The port consists of four modern docks with a maximum loading capacity of 300 boats to Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Cat Ba.

Designed by Bill Bensley, one of the top five architects in the world, the terminal boasts Vietnamese and European culture and architectural design: yellow color painted as the color inspiration from the ancient town of Hoi An in Central Vietnam, an ocean cruiser shape with elegant and sophisticated interior decoration, wooden poles and steel and wooden ceilings.

The waiting area covers 13,500 square meters, has a capacity of 2000 people. Tourists can also easily find tax-free shops, restaurants, fast food stores, and souvenir shops…at here. 

Halong International Cruise Port - The newest Halong Bay port

Domestic Halong Bay cruise port

Beside International port can embark tourist to cruise in Halong Bay, there are three domestic ports have terminals to embark tourist: Tuan Chau harbor, Hon Gai pier and Got pier (Hai Phong city).

Tuan Chau harbor - The largest Halong cruise port

• Location:Ngoc Chau, Tuan Chau, Halong, Quang Ninh 
• Cruises depart from: Paradise, Stellar of the Seas, Aphrodite, Serenity, President, Apricot Premium, Alisa, Hera, Bhaya, Au Co.

Situated in the north-west of Halong Bay, 8 kilometers south-west of Halong City, connected to the mainland by a long bridge, Tuan Chau pier is the largest pier in Halong Bay. It stretches 8 kilometers into Halong Bay and can hold up to 2000 sea vessels at one time.

Tourists will need about 1.5 hours to get there from Van Don airport by car, 3 to 3.5 hours drive from Hanoi. Tuan Chau is actually an artificial harbor constructed in the Western style, equipped with a full-service lounge area, operating room, ticket counter, information counter for visitors, offices for police and customs...

Tuan Chau has a modern and beautiful indoor waiting area equipped with air conditioning, lounge chairs, bar, internet dedicated to businessmen and VIPs, many tax-free shops, restaurants. Outside the port are long rows of benches where visitors are free to look at the seaports while waiting for departure. 

Tuan Chau harbor - The largest Halong Bay cruise port

Hon Gai pier - The oldest Halong cruise port

• Location: Group 1, Zone 2, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province
• Capacity: 5,000 passengers, 1,000 cars, and 400 trucks per day. 
• Cruises depart from: Paloma, Swan, Oriental Sails, Starlight, Athena, and Signature.

Located in East Halong, close to Bai Chay Bridge, Hon Gai pier (Vinashin pier) is a popular departure point for cruises going through or to Bai Tu Long Bay. Although it is a smaller, and less busy than others, Hon Gai pier is the important transportation infrastructure of Quang Ninh province, contributing to the marine economic development strategy of the province. It is a three-floor building with the area used each floor is 4,500 m2.

This port has the capacity of receiving not only domestic cruises but also large international passenger ships, luxury yachts. It has become an attractive tourist attraction and the departure point of the boat trip to Bai Tu Long Bay. Cruises embarking from Hon Gai pier often visit deserted areas such as Thien Canh Son cave, Vung Vieng (Vong Vieng) fishing village, and some beaches.

To get to Hon Gai pier, tourists will need to cross Bai Chay Bridge, one of the most beautiful cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam and South Asia. 

Hon Gai pier - The oldest Halong Bay cruise port

Got pier - The terminal of cruises from Hai Phong

• Location: 356 Road, Cat Hai, Hai Phong
• Cruises depart from: Mon Cheri, Peony, Heritage-Line, Orchid, Sena, Indochine, Era, Sealife Legend...

Located in Hai Phong City, Got pier connects the inland Hai Phong with Cat Ba island. This port is the most common way to get to Cat Ba island, the biggest island in Halong Bay. It is smaller than other piers such as Tuan Chau Harbor and Hon Gai Pier, however, it is the first choice for the cruise to Lan Ha Bay. 

To reach, Got pier from Hai Phong City, tourists need to transfer to Dinh Vu port by car or bus. Then, take the ferry to Ninh Tiep which is about 45 minutes. From Ninh Tiep, the next step is to take a quick transfer to Got pier.

Got pier - The terminal of Halong Bay cruises from Hai Phong

Port of the 10 best Halong Bay cruises

When booking a cruise, tourists need to know which port or terminal that cruise embarks from. The international cruises will stop in Cai Lan or Halong Bay International Cruise port while domestic cruises embark from 3 main domestic: Got pier, Tuan Chau harbor, and Hon Gai pier. Depending on the cruise you book, you can find the best way to get to the port. 

Below are 10 Best Cruises in Halong Bay [HOT 2021] with the names of departure ports. Click the link for each cruise detail. 

Halong bay cruise ports are not only places where the cruises embark, but also beautiful places for sightseeing, enjoying the culture and architectural design by the top architecture of the world. Do not forget to bring your camera for checking in at these. Visit one of the charming ports, and stay in Halong Bay cruise by booking with BestPrice Travel

Jenny Tran

Image sources: Internet