How to Visit Halong Bay: A Natural Wonder in Vietnam
If you’ve ever wondered how to visit Halong Bay, what to do in Halong Bay, or even is Halong Bay worth visiting, this guide is for you.
Visiting Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is an unforgettable experience and one of the true highlights of a trip to Southeast Asia. The Halong Bay area offers magnificent scenery, a peaceful escape, and adventure in one breathtaking package. For solo travellers, it’s a safe, accessible, and rewarding destination.
Visiting Ha Long Bay is truly one of the standout moments in my solo travels across Vietnam. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy three different Ha Long Bay cruises and spent several days exploring Cat Ba Island.
In this guide, I’ll share why Ha Long Bay deserves a spot on your Vietnam itinerary, how to visit, what to do in Ha Long Bay, and the best ways to experience its breathtaking natural landscapes.
Here’s everything you need to know to make your trip unforgettable.
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Why Halong Bay is Worth Visiting
If you’re asking, “is Halong Bay worth visiting? The short answer is yes, absolutely. The stunning natural landscapes of the Halong Bay area are UNESCO World Heritage-listed and recognised for their extraordinary natural beauty and geological significance.
The scenery is breathtaking; thousands of limestone islands rise from calm, emerald-green waters, creating a dramatic and beautiful landscape.
Visiting Halong Bay is easy, safe and welcoming, and I enjoyed plenty of opportunities to connect with other travellers. I also experienced peaceful moments alone, watching the sunrise from the cruise deck or floating quietly through a hidden bay in a kayak.
Visiting Ha Long Bay was a highlight of my first holiday in Vietnam, and I went back again on my next trip to see more of the area.
How to Visit Halong Bay: Planning Your Trip
Visiting Halong Bay is easy. Located off the coast of North Vietnam, about 3 hours by road from the capital, Hanoi, Halong bay is very accessible. To get there, book a shuttle or private transfer through your cruise operator or hotel.
TIP: The easiest way to reach Ha Long Bay is to book a cruise package from Hanoi. Cruise packages usually include a transfer by bus from your hotel to the cruise boat.
There are also buses and seaplane options if you want a bit more adventure or luxury.
Domestic flights are cheap and plentiful and there are international airports at Van Don, Hanoi and Haiphong. Halong bay is easy to reach from other parts of the country like Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang or Hoi An.
The closest is Van Don International Airport, around 50 kilometres from Ha Long Bay.
TIP: I booked my bus, train, ferry and plane tickets online with 12Go Asia. I found this service convenient and reliable for buying tickets throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
When to Go
- Best months: October to April for cooler, drier weather
- Avoid: July–September (typhoon season)
Packing Essentials:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Swimsuit and water shoes
- Light jacket for cool mornings and evenings
- Dry bag for kayaking trips
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
You don’t need to overplan. Most cruises and day trips are very well organised and provide everything you need.
TIP: Cabins on board cruise boats are often compact, so pack a small bag for an overnight cruise and leave your large luggage at your hotel in Hanoi.
Best Way to See Halong Bay
So what’s the best way to see Halong Bay if you’re travelling alone?
Day Cruises
If you’re on a tight schedule, a day cruise will give you a taste of the bay, with stops for kayaking or exploring a cave or viewpoint. It’s less expensive than an overnight cruise, but can feel rushed if you’re travelling to and from Hanoi.
TIP: If you’re trying to decide on a day cruise to Lan Ha Bay or Ha Long Bay, I loved the Lan Ha Bay day cruise from Cat Ba Island with kayaking and snorkelling.
Overnight Cruises (1 or 2 nights)
An Overnight cruise is a better option than a day trip and one that I recommend. It’s a more relaxed experience with time to unwind, socialise with fellow travellers, and enjoy sunrise and sunset on the bay. Many cruises include activities like kayaking, cooking classes, Tai Chi, and squid fishing.
TIP: For a more peaceful, less touristy experience, I recommend a cruise on less-visited Bai Tu Long Bay to experience the stunning scenery of the Ha Long Bay area with fewer tourists and cruise boats on the water. I enjoyed the Renea heritage cruise in a comfortable traditional wooden junk boat!
Solo Friendly Halong Bay Cruises
Look for boutique cruise lines like:
- Indochina Junk (eco-friendly, less touristy)
- Heritage Cruises (luxury, historical focus)
- Peony or Orchid Cruises (great for solo comfort with modern amenities)
If you’re worrying about visiting Halong Bay alone, you’ll join a group with a mix of people. On my Halong Bay cruise, I met a lovely Canadian couple, and I was paired with another solo traveller for meals. I didn’t spend much time by myself.
Best Things to Do in Halong Bay
Whether you like a busy schedule or prefer a slower pace, there’s no shortage of things to do in Halong Bay. Here are some of the best Halong Bay activities:
- Kayaking: Paddle into quiet coves and limestone grottoes.
- Visit limestone Caves: Visit Sung Sot (Surprise Cave) or Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave).
- Beach Time: Relax or swim at Titop Island or Soi Sim Island.
- Visit Floating Villages: Learn how local fishing families live on the water.
- Tai Chi at Sunrise: A gentle and beautiful way to start the day.
- Cooking Classes: Learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes.
- Night Squid Fishing: Quirky and fun—give it a try!
- Enjoy stunning views: Climb to the viewpoints on the islands
- Visit Cat Ba Island: Catch a ferry from Halong City or Haiphong, stay on the island and enjoy a day cruise to Lan Ha Bay and hike in the National Park
- Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay: Explore the lesser-known bays on either side of Halong Bay. They’re much less crowded and just as beautiful as Halong Bay.
What to Do in Halong Bay If You Don’t Want to Cruise
Ha Long Bay Cruises are popular, but not the only way to see the famous UNESCO World Heritage area. Staying on Cat Ba Island is a great option if you’re on a tight budget, like setting your own pace or want more time to explore the local culture, beaches and National Park.
The island offers accommodation for all budgets and a choice of restaurants and cafes. Cat Ba Island is the perfect base for:
- Hiking in Cat Ba National Park
- Exploring local villages and markets
- Spas and wellness retreats
- Day trips to Lan Ha Bay, a quieter alternative to Halong Bay
- Rock Climbing with climbing routes on the limestone cliffs of Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay.
TIP: I can recommend staying a night or 2 on lovely Cat Ba Island and taking a day cruise to beautiful Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha Bay was my favourite of the three cruises I took. The water is clean and clear, and I swam from the cruise boat. I also loved kayaking through flooded sea caves on Lan Ha Bay.
Where to Stay
Accommodation on the cruise boat is included in longer cruise packages, and it’s the easiest way to see Ha Long Bay. Alternatively, you can stay in Ha Long City, Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong or Hanoi and take a day trip to Ha Long Bay.
Halong City: DeLaSea Halong. I loved staying here, and it was great value
The Grand Fleuve Boutique is a 4-star hotel closer to the Sunworld cruise port that gets exceptional reviews.
Cat Ba Island: Quiri Hotel has a great location and a restaurant, and a bar.
The Cat Ba Wonder Hotel is comfortable and clean, with a central location
Hanoi: Hanoi Graceful Hotel – I can recommend this boutique hotel in the Old Quarter
The West Hotel & Spa is another solid midrange choice in Hanoi. I had a comfortable stay here
Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers
Halong Bay and Vietnam in general, is safe for solo female travellers. I found locals were very kind, and other travellers were usually happy to connect. But here are a few tips to ensure your comfort:
- Book with reputable providers: read reviews on sites like Muy Linda Travels, Get Your Guide or Booking.com.
- Avoid overpacking: Travel light, you won’t need formal clothes.
- Be polite but firm when approached by overly persistent vendors. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
- Use local apps like Grab (for taxis) and Google Translate if needed.
Vietnam Travel Tips
- To enter Vietnam, you must have a valid passport and visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival and you have an empty page for your entry & exit stamps.
- Don’t drink the water! Always drink bottled, boiled, or purified water in Vietnam. Boiled tap water is usually safe to drink.
- Don’t flush your toilet paper. Use the bin provided. The sewerage systems can’t handle it.
- Vietnam is generally a safe place to visit, but watch out for petty theft and scams, especially if you’re travelling solo in Vietnam.
- If you flag down a taxi make sure the meter is running, or you might be overcharged. If there is no meter, agree on a price before you get in the taxi.
- US dollars are often accepted and easy to exchange and I had no trouble changing Australian dollars except when I was travelling off the beaten track in spectacular Phong Nha-Ke Bang
FAQs
How Big is Halong Bay?
Halong Bay covers approximately 1,553 square kilometres (600 miles) and includes around 2000 limestone islands on around 120 kilometres of Vietnam’s coastline.
Where is Ha Long Bay located in Vietnam?
Ha Long Bay lies off the coast of north-eastern Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin in Quang Ninh province, around 165 kilometres from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and around 220 kilometres from Ninh Binh.
Is Ha Long Bay near Ho Chi Minh City?
No. Ho Chi Minh City is in the south of Vietnam and is more than 1,800 kilometres away from Ha Long Bay. The best way to visit Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh City is to fly to Hanoi, Van Don or Haiphong in the north of the country and join a cruise boat.
How expensive is Halong Bay?
Visiting Halong Bay on a cruise can be one of the more expensive items on a trip to Vietnam, but it’s still comparatively cheap. Meals, drinks, activities and transfers to and from Hanoi are included in most cruise packages. My 4-star overnight cruise cost US$135, about the same as a half day of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Can you swim in Ha Long Bay?
Yes, you can swim in Ha Long Bay, and there are many pretty beaches where swimming is popular.
Is Halong Bay polluted?
There are large numbers of cruise boats and tourists visiting the area, and unfortunately, the waters of Ha Long Bay are not entirely clean. I could see bilge from the cruise boats in the water and signs of pollution by oil, metals, pesticides and organic matter.
Final Thoughts: Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting?
Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting? Absolutely! The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! Visiting Halong bay delivers peaceful beaches, hidden caves, quiet lagoons and panoramic viewpoints, it’s a place for relaxation and adventure!
If you love getting outdoors and enjoying nature, visiting Halong Bay is a delightful experience. Whether you’re travelling alone or with company, you’ll find calm, beauty, and plenty of activities on a Ha Long Bay cruise.
Ha Long Bay is a destination you won’t want to miss on your Vietnam itinerary whether you’re travelling through North Vietnam or adding it as a side trip from South Vietnam,
I loved visiting Ha Long Bay, and I think you will too!
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