1. Overview
Ha Long Bay is located in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, about 180 km from Hanoi, and is known as the northern tourist paradise. Ha Long Bay has an area of 1,553 km2, including 1,900 large and small limestone islands with very vivid shapes. The bay has been voted many times by UNESCO as a world natural wonder, known as a place that must be visited once in a lifetime.
There are many ways to visit Halong Bay, such as renting a cruise ship, the Queen cable car, or going by seaplane. Each type will bring visitors different experiences; no matter how you choose to explore during your vacation, the beauty of Ha Long Bay will leave a lasting impression on any tourist from all over the world.
2. The Top 4 Ways To Tour Halong Bay
2.1. Take a boat to visit Halong Bay
Renting a boat to Halong Bay is a very popular way for tourists to fully admire the system of more than 3,000 large and small islands in Halong Bay. This place includes thousands of islands of different sizes, undulating in the sea like giant pearls. The majestic and poetic space of the bay has a strange attraction for all visitors. There are many routes to visit the bay, passing through the most famous attractions such as Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, etc.
Most Halong cruises are very high-class and modern, with many thoughtful services. Each boat will have different schedules and sightseeing routes suitable to the needs of tourists. You can learn more about Halong Bay tours by boat here.
Boat rental prices to experience Ha Long Bay vary depending on the route and time you choose. You can see boat prices below:
2.1.1 Boat rental costs by route
Currently, Ha Long Bay has 05 daily tourist routes, departing from Tuan Chau International Port, detailed ticket prices are as follows:
| Routes | Destination | Fare (USD) | Visiting time |
| Route 1 – Van Canh Park Conservation Center | Thien Cung cave, Dau Go cave, Cho Da island, Ba Hang cave, Dinh Huong island, Trong Mai island | 11.82 | 3-4 hours |
| Route 2 – Cave Park Conservation Center | Soi sim island, Ti Top island, Sung Sot cave, Bo Nau cave, Luon cave, Ho Dong Tien cave, Trong cave, Trinh Nu cave, Me Cung cave | 11.82 | 5-6 hours |
| Route 3 – Marine Culture Conservation Center | Cua Van Floating Cultural Center, Rung Truc area, Tien Ong cave, Ang Du, Ba Ham Lake, Ba Men temple. | 9.78 | 3-4 hours |
| Route 4 – Marine Recreation Development and Conservation Center | Co Cave, Thay Cave, Cong Do Island area, Cap La Cave, Tung – Ang Cong Do Ecological Area, Hon Xep Park, Vung Vieng area | 9.78 | 5-6 hours |
| Route 5 | Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Cho Da Islet, Ba Hang Cave, Dinh Huong Islet, Trong Mai Islet, Gia Luan Wharf (Hai Phong). | 11.82 | 5-6 hours |
| Children under 1.2m or under 7 years old are 100% exempt Children from 7 years old to under 16 years old receive a 20% discount Elderly people 60 years of age or older receive a 50% discount When buying discounted tickets, you must present identification documents: ID card, CCCD, student card or Birth certificate for children. | |||
In fact, 90% of routes 1 and 2 are chosen by tourists for sightseeing. On these routes 1 and 2, you will visit Halong Bay and see this magnificent coastal city to the fullest.
2.1.2. The price of a graft boat trip to Halong Bay 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours
Price list for renting a boat to visit Halong Bay for 4 hours (route 1), 6 hours (route 2), 8 hours latest in 2023
| Type Of Vessel Visiting The Bay | Service | Ticket Price (USD) | Port Of Departure |
| Graft ship 48 seats | Route 1 | 26.49 | Sunworld |
| Route 2 | 28.52 | Tuan Chau | |
| Graft ship 99 seats Huy Loc Luxury | Route 2 | 38.71 | Sunworld |
| Ambassador Cruise | Route 2 | 56.64 | Sunworld |
| Graft ship La Casta | 8 hours | 50.94 | Tuan Chau |
| Ship Catamaran | Route 1 | 59.09 – 63.16 | Tuan Chau |
| Route 2 | 50.94 – 55.01 | ||
| Graft ship Queen | 8 hours | 50.94 – 56.64 | Tuan Chau |
| Note: Graft ship economy class: You can choose food and beverage services right on the train. Luxury cruise ships are calculated by combo, including the full package: VIP train fare, scenic tickets, tour guide, lunch on board buffet/set menu, afternoon tea party, welcome drinks, etc. | |||
2.1.3. Private boat ticket price to visit Halong Bay
When renting a private boat to visit Halong Bay, you will be comfortable and proactive during departure time, with independent and private space not affected by other groups of tourists. Visit the sights in Halong Bay (according to the itinerary): Kayaking, swimming, climbing mountains, taking a bamboo boat to visit caves, etc. These private ships can carry 2–20 guests and are fully equipped with amenities, from bedrooms and bathrooms to living rooms and restaurants.
- Route 1: Prices range from 122.25 USD – 203.75 USD/trip.
- Route 2: Prices range from 163.00 USD – 244.50 USD/trip.
Prices may change depending on the time of year, during peak summer or holidays, private boat prices often increase by 30% compared to weekday prices.
2.1.4. Cruise overnight on Ha Long Bay
There are two overnight cruises on the bay: 2 days, 1 night, and 3 days, 2 nights. Usually, domestic tourists use a 2-day, 1-night itinerary, while foreign tourists often use a 3-day, 2-night itinerary.
| Night Ship rental cost (USD/person) | |||
| Itinerary | 3 star cruise | 4 star cruise | 5 star cruise |
| 2 days 1 nights | 73.35 – 97.80 | 101.87 – 138.55 | From 142,62 |
| 3 days 2 nights | 114.10 – 142.62 | 146,70– 179.30 | From 183.37 |
Note: Depending on each cruise ship, there are different prices and different itineraries. This price is all-inclusive for a 2-day, 1-night stay on the bay or a 3-day, 2-night.
2.2. Take a seaplane to visit Halong Bay
Among the best ways to see Halong Bay, visiting Halong Bay by seaplane is a way you cannot miss. Visiting Vinh Ha Long by seaplane allows you to enjoy beautiful views from above and hidden corners of Halong Bay from a close distance. This form of travel is offered exclusively by Hai Au Airlines, which also offers seaplane flights between Hanoi airport and Ha Long city. In particular, seaplanes can take off and land on water, bringing interesting experiences to passengers. You’ll be able to capture the best views of the bay when sitting next to the window.
The 25-minute scenic flight flies at a low altitude of 300–150 m. There are about 8 scheduled flights every day, and you can book tickets through travel companies or Hai Au Airlines. Additionally, if traveling in a group, you can book a charter flight with prices ranging from 1039 USD (fixed itinerary) to 1560 USD (optional itinerary).
See more:
- Take-off and landing points: Tuan Chau Port, Villa T7, Tuan Chau Port Urban Area, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
- Address of Hai Au Airlines: Floor 08, 70-72 Ba Trieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City, Vietnam.
- Ticket price: from Monday to Friday: 65.20 USD/person. Saturday, Sunday: 73.35 USD/person
- Tel: (+84) 962 069 689
- Website: https://www.seaplanes.vn/vi/sightseeing-flights/ha-long.html
2.3. See Halong Bay from the Queen Cable Car and Sun Wheel
Viewing Halong Bay from the Queen Cable Car and Sun Wheel is a very reasonable and economical choice to fully enjoy the view of Halong Bay from above. The Queen Cable Car, with a tower height of up to 188.8 m, is currently considered the cable car with the highest tower in the world above the ground. The Queen Cable Car will take tourists starting from Dai Duong station next to the Bai Chay tourist area, crossing Cua Luc Bay, and stopping at Sun station to the top of Ba Deo Hill (Hon Gai). The cable goes two ways with a total time of 5 minutes, so you can freely enjoy the feeling of floating, admiring the scenery of Ha Long Bay from above with its poetic mountains, sea, clouds, and sky.
Meanwhile, the Sun Wheel, located at an altitude of 215 m above sea level, will provide a wide, open view for visitors who want to see the entire panorama of Ha Long Bay. As one of the highest sightseeing wheels in the world and designed and installed with leading technology from Japan, the Sun Wheel has up to 64 cabins, a frequency of 20 minutes per rotation, and a service capacity of up to 1,200 guests per hour.
The ticket price to visit the cable car for adults from 140 cm and over is 14.26 USD per person; for children from 100 cm and under 140 cm, it is 10.19 USD per person, and children under 100 cm are free. The ticket price includes sun wheel entertainment services, a Kidoland area, a samurai slide lane, an arcade zone game on the first floor, a Japanese crossing, a bonsai garden, and a dance theater. On holidays, the ticket price will be surcharged to 2.04 USD per person.
2.4. Tour Ha Long Bay by going with locals
In addition to beautiful natural landscapes, Ha Long Bay is also home to traditional culture that integrates into the daily lives of local people. Local people here always find ways to preserve their ancient culture and promote Halong Bay in a way that makes visitors feel familiar. Visitors can tour the caves with the help of local fishermen using bamboo rowing boats. Boating is not only a great way to explore pristine nature, but foreign tourists also get acquainted with a form of transportation that has been closely associated with the lives of local people. You can explore many unique cultural features with the locals here.
Locals will guide you through the floating villages, a unique attraction in Halong Bay, teach you to fish using various methods for a complete fishing village experience, and may even invite you to sit down and dine locally. Two famous villages in Halong Bay where you can meet friendly residents are Vung Vieng Village and Cua Van Village. Visiting Vung Vieng fishing lane by bamboo boat, visitors can visit the community house and classroom model of the old Vung Vieng fishing village, a place that recreates the daily activities of the fishing village residents; Visit a natural pearl farming area with processes transferred by Japanese experts.
3. Some notes when visiting Halong Bay
Ha Long Bay is the best place to be admired at sunset. You should avoid taking the cable car on foggy and rainy days because overcast skies and poor visibility will affect your view of Halong Bay. These days, taking a cruise or overnight cruise is a wiser choice.
You need comfortable clothes, insect repellant, sunscreen, and a pair of sneakers to do outdoor activities, while it will be more comfortable to admire Halong Bay from the cruise ship.
4. Conclusion
Above are the top 4 ways to visit Halong Bay that Metta Voyage shares with you. Hopefully these suggestions on how to visit Halong Bay will help you easily make the right choice to plan your upcoming trip to Ha Long.
5. Contact us
Website: www.mettavoyage.com
Email: [email protected]
Hotline 24/7: + 84 989 383 572
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