I gotta say, Halong Bay is THE most memorable thing I did in Vietnam! And I know that’s a pretty predictable statement, but we really had such a great time on our cruise.
We love Halong Bay so much that we have now done three cruises of the 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!
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!
⭐⭐ Don’t have time to read the whole article? This is the overnight Halong Bay tour that we did, and we were really impressed by the staff and the standard of the boat. Our room was luxurious; the food was awesome. Our boat wasn’t too crowded either, which meant we had a more personalized experience. It costs just $139 USD per person!
My essential advice for visiting Halong Bay
As I said, I’ve visited Halong Bay three times now, and below is what I wish I’d known before visiting 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 pay extra for some drinks on board. And funnily, drinking water is often not free. However, you will likely be provided with one or two bottles per day. But, my advice is to pack some bottles of water. Also, pack extra snacks for between meals.
- June, July & August are the peak season here – So rates often double at this time. We prefer to visit in November.
- The Halong Bay UNESCO-listed site is made up of 3 different bays (Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay) – so when researching you may come up with tours named “Lan Ha Bay tour” or “Bai Tu Long Bay tour“, etc. All 3 bays are connected but, a cruise along Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays will be a more peaceful experience as it’s not as popular. Many of these tours visit Halong Bay briefly, too.
- 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?
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.
We booked this Halong Bay tour and we were really impressed by the staff and the standard of the boat. 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!
What I will say, is that most of the Halong Bay tours are replicas of each other in that they offer the same activities, food choices and in many cases follow the same itinerary. So, I would say narrow down your options based on your budget and how much time you want to allow (like do you want one or two nights on board). And go from there…
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.
3 AMAZING Halong Bay cruises:
1. 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! It’s rated 4.5/5 ⭐stars and costs $139 per person.
2. 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 $370 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.
3. 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 into 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! It’s 12 hours long and costs less than $50 each.
FAQ’s about choosing the best Halong Bay Cruise for you
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?
Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world – it’s majestic and beautiful, like something from a James Bond movie. And 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!
So, 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.
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Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by snaphappytravel
4 thoughts on “Which Halong Bay Cruise Should I Choose?”
Very informative guide. I also loved Halong Bay, and at first I was worried it would be a tourist trap but its so beautiful. Next time I would definitely book a more luxurious boat though
We were very sorry we missed a Halong Bay cruise. Interesting to know that you have done 3 cruises. I think I would want to do the longer cruise and really enjoy my visit with a bit of luxury.
I remember seeing this on the Amazing Race and thought it looked…amazing.
what great inspiration… Vietnam intrigues me, and the photos of your cruises look lovely… not too flashy or commercial..love the authenticity of the lounge deck with chairs and amazing views…