Halong Bay is the most memorable thing I did during our several visits to Vietnam. In fact, we loved it so much – we have now done three cruises of Halong Bay (and counting!) It truly is one of the most amazing places I’ve laid eyes on – thousands of tiny rocky inlets in a secluded (but huge) emerald-green bay. No two inlets are the same, some are teeny-tiny and look nothing more than a big rock while others have sandy beaches.
And that’s the beauty of the place is that you can only explore it properly (and appreciate it) from the water. Which is why doing a cruise is a must-do!
Thus, when it comes to choosing a tour of Halong Bay, you’ll need to do your research as there are SO many tours to choose from. And there are many things you should take into consideration before deciding. Things like the price, the reviews, and how long you want to spend there. Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world, majestic and beautiful, like something from a James Bond movie.
In fact, it is Vietnam’s top tourist attraction, attracting over 2.6 million visitors a year. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The best way to see Halong Bay is on a tour from Hanoi, which is a 2.5-hour drive away. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which tour is best for you. Well, lucky for you, my husband and I have visited Halong Bay three times, so we know what cruises offer the most unforgettable experience!
In short, visiting Halong Bay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is a must do during your time in Vietnam.
My essential advice for visiting Halong Bay
As I said, I’ve visited Halong Bay three times now, and below is what I’d wish I’d known before visting Halong Bay. Hopefully it will help you out.
- All inclusive tour doesn’t actually mean “all inclusive” – Let me explain, you will likely have to be extra for some drinks on board. And funnily, drinking water is often not free. Now, you will likely be provided with one or two bottles per day. But, my advise is to pack some bottles of water. Also, pack extra snacks for during the day.
- June, July & August are peak season here – So rates often double at this time.
- A one night tour typically only equates to less than 24 hours in Halong Bay – So, if I were to visit again I’d do the three-day two-night tour (listed below) as it allows for more free time to just sit on the balcony and watch the scenery.
- Book your tour in advance online – We booked two of our Halong Bay cruises on Viator as they offered free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. So you can change your date if the weather is looking bad. We booked our first tour with a travel agent and it wasn’t the best experience (but we could have been unlucky)
Which cruise should I choose in Halong Bay?
I’ll be honest our first time in Vietnam, we spent a whopping 0 nights in Halong Bay! We booked a two-day one-night cruise on a Junk Boat. Unfortunately, we only ended up staying on the boat a couple of hours as there was a massive storm coming. Thankfully, we did get to kayak in the bay, had a champagne lunch, and got a quick glimpse at our would-be bedroom onboard.
On our second visit to Vietnam, we booked the same exact tour as we were really impressed by the staff and the boat our first time around. We loved the experience and can’t recommend it enough – our room was luxurious, the food was awesome and I loved spending time on our balcony taking in the scenery. Our boat wasn’t too crowded either, which meant we had a more personalized experience. We visited in February, FYI!
Anyway, we wanted to let you in on the most important factors that affected us when deciding on our Halong Bay cruise. There are lots of options, so you’re spoiled for choice.
My personal favorite – This two-day one-night tour
This is the best-rated Halong Bay tour with an impressive 2,600+ 5-star reviews! It includes round-trip transfers from Hanoi and accommodation in a gorgeous cabin. Handily too, it’s all-inclusive so includes all food, drink and even some activities like kayaking, tai chi and/or cooking.
During the two-day tour, you’ll get to visit Sung Sot Cave (aka the largest cave in Halong Bay!), where you’ll get to walk through the cave to see stalactites and stalagmites. You can even hike up to the top of the cave to take in the awe-inspiring views of the bay! You’ll also get to spend some time at Titop Island, a gorgeous island where you can relax on the beach and go sunbathing or swimming or hike to the highest point of the island!
Depending on your budget, you can book different luxury levels for your accommodation onboard. However, all cabins onboard come with air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Rates for this tour start from $139 USD per person. Which I think is BRILLIANT value for money!
But remember with a two-day one-night tour like this you’ll likely only have around 22 hours in Halong Bay itself. Which is why if time allows, I highly recommend booking the 3-day 2-night tour below so that you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty of the area and feel less rushed.
BOOK this two-day one-night tour here!
The most luxurious – This 3-day 2-night cruise
If you have the time in your itinerary then I highly recommend booking a 3-day 2-night cruise of Halong Bay. In fact, that’s our only regret with the tour we did – that we didn’t have longer on the boat.
This is the best-rated 2-night cruise with over 230 5-star reviews, and considering it includes two nights of accommodation, all meals and some off-boat excursions I reckon it’s a steal-of-a-deal at $380 USD per person.
The off-boat excursions include kayaking, exploring caves like Sung Sot Cave and Thien Canh Son Cave, and visiting local villages. However, which one(s) you do depends on the season. You’ll also be kept entertained on the boat with tai chi classes, cooking classes, and more!
Your room on board is stylishly decorated and has air-con and a private bathroom. And most come with balconies for you to sit out on and take in the magnificent scenery in peace!
BOOK this 3-day 2-night tour here! This is a best-selling tour so book it at least three weeks in advance.
The best budget-friendly tour – This Day Trip from Hanoi
If you’re tight on time or have a limited budget then your best bet is to book a day-trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi like this one which costs from just $48 USD per person.
This well-rated tour (it has over 750 5-star reviews) is 12 hours long and includes a 2-hour cruise around Halong Bay as well as time at Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island. You sure will pack a lot in to your day!
Included in the price is lunch, afternoon tea and a kayaking tour in Halong Bay! Round-trip transfers from Hanoi Old Quarter are also included!
BOOK this best-selling tour here!
FAQ’s about booking a Halong Bay Cruise
1. Is it best to do an overnight or a one-day tour?
In my experience, it’s better to do an overnight tour of Halong Bay as it will feel less rushed, and you’ll get to spend the night on board a luxurious, authentic junk boat. Honestly, I can’t think of a better option than spending the night on a boat on Halong Bay, surrounded by epic scenery and silence (it’s much quieter here when the day boats have left).
If you choose an overnight tour, you’ll also have more time to explore unique spots in Halong Bay like Sung Sot Cave and Ti Top Island.
2. Is it better to book your Halong Bay Cruise in advance?
Yes, it’s best to book your Halong Bay Cruise in advance to avoid disappointment. Even though there are lots of Halong Bay Cruises to choose from the best-rated tend to book out quickly.
You will also more than likely get a better deal when you book online in advance, and you won’t have to deal with the pushy sales agents in Hanoi.
3. What is the best month for a Halong Bay Cruise?
November and December are the best months to do a Halong Bay Cruise. As this is when the area experiences the best weather – dry and sunny days that aren’t too hot. In November, the average daily temperature in Halong Bay sits at 73 Fahrenheit (23 Celsius). And in December, you’re looking at an average daily temperature of 69 Fahrenheit (21 Celsius).
There is also less wind during these months, which means that the water conditions for cruising through Halong Bay are ideal!
June to August are considered the peak months for visiting Halong Bay, so if you’re planning to visit during these times, be sure to book your tour in advance.
4. Where should I book a Halong Bay Cruise?
Because it’s one of the most popular tours to do in Vietnam, I highly recommend booking your Halong Bay cruise in advance online. We recommend booking around two weeks in advance, but if you’re traveling here in the summer (aka the busiest months) then book ahead around a month in advance.
We booked two of our Halong Bay cruises on Viator as most tours on there offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Plus, there’s heaps of choice – so you can book the best tour for your needs.
Thanks for Reading!
Tell me have you been to Halong Bay? If so, what tour did you pick? We would love to hear about your experience in the comment section.
If you enjoyed this blog post you may also enjoy reading some of my other most popular blog posts, such as –
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Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by snaphappytravel