Halong Bay Travel Questions
You are are planning a
trip to Halong Bay. Many travelers have
questions about Halong Bay cruises—such as itineraries, activities, prices, and the best time to go. Below, you’ll find clear answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you plan the perfect trip. Your questions can be about the weather, the ports, the travel time or about different cruises in Halong Bay, you may find them below. All of those questions are frequently asked by our travelers to Halong Bay so we list them below with the answers and we hope you may find the answers for your questions about your trip to Halong Bay.
Halong Bay Travel Questions You May Have
You may have many questions as below. Pleas check and see the answers from our experts of Halong Bay Cruises.
1. What are the ports for Halong Bay cruises?
At the moment ( 2025 and 2026), there are 2 ports for the cruises in Halong Bay ( includings cruises for Halong Bay route, Lan Ha Bay route and Bai Tu Long Bay route) and they are Tuan Chau Marina & Sun International Cruise Port. The cruises embarking and disembarking at these ports have different cruising routes, sightseeings, activities. In the past ( before 2022) all the cruises on Lan Ha route depart from Got Harbour in Hai Phong but Got Harbour started building the cable car there and it got stuck a lot so now all of those Lan Ha Bay Cruises need to depart from Halong and they choose Tuan Chau Port instead of Sun International Cruise Port as it is closed to Lan Ha Bay. In the future, when everything come back to normal then the cruises in Lan Ha Bay may come back to Got Harbour or other harbour in Hai Phong because Lan Ha belong to Hai Phong.
| Tuan Chau Marina | + All cruises with Lan Ha Bay route depart from Tuan Chau Port + Most of the cruises with Halong Bay route depart from Tuan Chau Port |
| Sun International Cruise Port | + Part of cruises on Halong Bay route depart from Sun International Cruise Port + All cruises on Bai Tu Long Bay route depart from Sun International Cruise Port |
2. Do all Halong Bay cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbor?
No, not all Halong Bay cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbor. There are 2 harbour where a cruise in Halong may depart and they are Tuan Chau Marina & Sun International Cruise Port. They are not so far from each others. Tuan Chau Harbor is located in Tuan Chau Ward and Sun International Cruise Port ward. The transfer by car is about 15 to 20 minutes from Tuan Chau Port to Sun International Cruise Port.
3. What port should i go to catch Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise?
If you go with a cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay then please go to Sun International Cruise Port. At the moment 2025 all the cruises in Bai Tu Long Bay depart from Sun International Cruise Port. You may check with your travel consultant again when you book a special cruise but in general a cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay will depart from Sun International Cruise Port until end of 2025.
4. Do all Halong Bay cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbor?
No, Not all halong bay cruises depart from Tuan Chau Harbor. Many of cruises in Halong Bay may start from Sun International Cruise Port which located in Bai Chay Ward. Please ask your travel consultant to know the exact port when you book a cruise and Vietnam Escape Tours travel consultant will let you know exact port and address of waiting lounge together with contact number of the cruise you book. By the way, you can book the cruise together with the transfer from Hanoi so you do not have to worry about which port you need to reach.
5.How long does it take from Hanoi to Halong to catch a cruise in Halong?
The drive from Hanoi to Halong takes about 3 hours including a short rest-stop along the way. If you drive from Noi Bai Airport and you need about 3.5 hours including a short rest-stop. If you stay not in the center of Hanoi the duration may be different because in the morning there will be traffic jam and the transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay normally in the morning to catch the cruise which embark at noon time.
6. What is the distance from Hanoi to Halong City?
The distance from Hanoi to Halong is about 155 - 170km depending on the place in Hanoi you start to the place in Halong City you want to reach and depending on which road you choose. If you start from Hanoi Old Quarter and want to reach Tuan Chau Harbor and you choose the Highway No 5 then it is about 155km. It takes about 2.5 hour to drive from Hanoi Old Quarter to Tuan Chau Harbor and about 2 hours 45 minutes from Hanoi Old Quarter to Sun International Harbor in Bai Chay.
7. How long does it take fom Hanoi Airport to Tuan Chau Harbor?
The drive from Hanoi Airport ( Noi Bai Airport) to Tuan Chau Harbor is about takes about 3 hours. If you want to have a break along the way and it takes more time.
8. Where do Halong Bay cruises pick up from?
All Halong Bay cruises have transfer service to pick up and drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter. If you do not stay in hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, you can go to Hanoi Opera House for the pick-up.
9. Do Halong Bay cruise pick up from Hanoi Train Station?
No, the cruises in Halong Bay does not arrange the pick-up with cruise bus from Hanoi Train Station. So, you should go to your hotel inHanoi Old Quarter ( if you stayed there before or later) for the pick-up. In that case, you can have a rest in the waiting area and you can go to the toilet before the bus come. If you do not have a hotel like that, Vietnam Escape Tours Team travel consultant can ask a hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for you to go there for the meeting point. We are a good parter with many hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter so we can help you. Please work with Vietnam Escape Tours team. You also can go to Hanoi Old Opera House for the pick-up.
10. Do Halong Bay cruise pick up from Noi Bai Airport?
No, Halong Bay cruise bus does not pick up from Noi Bai Airport but from Hanoi Old Quarter. If you wish to have a pick-up from Noi Bai Airport please work with Vietnam Escape Tours travel consultant and we can arrange the pick-up from Noi Bai Airport to Halong ( Tuan Chau Harbor or Sun International Port) with private transfer.
11. Can cruises in Halong arrange the pick-up/drop-off from/to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh?
No, Halong cruises buses does not arrange the pick-up/drop-off from/to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh. However, Vietnam Escape Tours team can arrange the pick-up/drop-off from/to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh or from hotels in Ninh Binh City for your group with private transfer and limousine van/bus also.
12. Do Halong cruise provide transfer to Cat Bi Airport after the cruise trip?
No, Halong Bay crusie does not provide transfer service to Cat Bi Airport after your trip. So, if you wish to go to Cat Bi Airport after your trip in Halong Bay you can ask the cruise staff at the harbor or on the cruise to book for you a taxi or you can book a grap to go to Cai Bi Airport. Vietnam Escape Tours can arrange a private transfer from Halong to Cat Bi Airport for you if you wish so you can contact our travel consultant.
13. How can i get to Cat Bi Airport ( Hai Phong Airport) after overnight Halong Bay Cruise?
You can get a taxi/grap or we can arrange a private transfer for you from Halong City to Hai Phong Airport. You will disembark around 11.30 - 12.00 so you will arrive Hai Phong Airport around 13.00.
13.1. How much does it cost for the round trip sharing limousine van/bus Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi?
The price for the sharing limousine van/bus ( round trip) Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi is about 25 - 35 USD/person/2 way depending on the cruise you take and which limousine transfer the cruise use ( limousine 9 seated van, limousine 12 seated van, limousine 17 seated bus or limousine 22 seated bus). Normally, the more luxury cruises will charge higher price for the same kind of limousine we use. Vietnam Escape Tours can arrange for you the sharing limousine with better price so when you book the cruise with us we will have offer for your group.
14. How to get to Hanoi Airport after Halong Bay Cruises? What time will i arrive?
After Halong Bay Day Trip
If you want to go to Hano Airport after Halong Bay Day Tour there are 2 options for you.
Option 1: Book a private transfer from Halong City to Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai Airport). That is easy and convinient but of course the price is high when you are a small group. If you are a big size group and that is no matter as there are more people to share the transfer. For the day trip you will arrive at the harbor in Halong city around 17.30 so you will arrive at Noi Bai Airport around 20.30 -21.00.
Option 2: This option is recommended for small group size to save money.You may go with cruise bus to get back to Hanoi Center and from Hanoi center you will get a taxi to go to the airport or Vietnam Escaepe Tours can arrange the private transfer for you to go to the airport. If you wish to go to the airport earlier our private car/van can pick you up from 1 T-junction near Hanoi ( Aeon Mall Long Bien) then you go to Hanoi Airport from there. With this option, you will save time comparng to the transfer to the center of Hanoi. You will arrive Hanoi center around 20.30 so you will arrive Noi Bai Airport around 21.30
After an Overnight Cruise in Halong
There are 3 options for you to get to Hanoi Airport after a trip with Halong Bay overnight cruise.
Option 1: You will go to Hanoi Airport with a private transfer. This option is convinient but the cost will be high if you are small group. So this option is recommended when you are not a small size. You will end the cruise trip at the harbor around 11.30 -12.00 so you will arrive at Noi Bai Airport around 15.00 - 15.30. We recommend you to book your flight departing after 17.00 for domestic flight and after 18.00 for your international flight.
Option 2: You can go with cruise sharing bus from Halong to Hanoi then from Hanoi we will arrange a private car/van for the transfer to Hanoi Airport. For this option you can save money when you are a small group. In the past before 2023 normally we use this option for traveler who wish to save money. You will arrive Hanoi Center around 14.30 - 15.00, so you will arrive at Noi Bai Airport around 15.30 - 16.00. We recommend you to book your flight departing after 17.30 for domestic flight and after 18.30 for your international flight.
However, from 2024 we can use the option 3 below which is number one for small group.
Option 3: From 2024 there is a good option for you. There are sharing limousine from Halong ( from your cruise harbor like Tuan Chau Harbor or Sun International Port) to Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai Airport) so if you are a small group and you want to save money but you do not want to go back to Hanoi center but directly to Hanoi Aiport you can choose this option. This option is affordable and convenient since you can travel directly without switching vehicles. You will end the cruise trip at the harbor around 11.30 -12.00 so you will arrive at Noi Bai Airport around 15.00 - 15.30. We recommend you to book your flight departing after 17.00 for domestic flight and after 18.00 for your international flight.
15. Do Halong Bay cruises include transfer from Hanoi hotels?
Yes, all Halong Bay cruises have round trip transfer from Hanoi hotels but only from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter. If your hotels are not located in Hanoi Old Quarter then you need to go to Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House for the pick-up. Some cruises offer the round trip transfer in the cruise package while other cruises charge additional fee if you wish to include the transfer. If your hotel location is not in Hanoi Old Quarter then you may need to book a private transfer or you can go to the meeting point in Hanoi Old Quarter. The cruise or your tour operator may set up a hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for the meeting point or it can be Hanoi Opera House which many cruises choose for the meeting point.
16. What types of transfers are available for Halong Bay crusies from Hanoi (shuttle bus, limousine, private car, seaplane)?
From Hanoi to Halong Bay there are different transfer options for you. You can go by shuttle bus, limousine van, private car/van/bus or seaplane ( For seaplane you need to Noi Bai Airport for pick-up).
17.What is the difference between the highway and the old road from Hanoi to Halong?
If we go on highway we can save more time. It takes about 3 hours including reststop on highway while it takes about 4 hours including reststop on the old road. If you choose highway you can avoid more traffic jam which may happend more on the old road. Now, most of cruises in Halong use the highway for transfer from Hanoi to Halong.
18. Do transfers stop for a break on the way to Halong Bay?
Yes, all Halong Bay cruises transfer will stop for a break on the way to Halong. The drivers will take your group to Halong then pick up other group from Halong back to Hanoi immediately so the break time is the time for travelers to go to the restroom, order a coffee and that is the time for drivers to have a breakfast/lunch or coffee. If you go with a private transfer and you may request driver to have a break or not but we recommend to have break on the way for your group and driver also.
The break time will be about 10 to 15 minutes so if you need to have long break you may ask the driver in advance.
If you go with sharing limousine the break is often at Hai Duong. If you go with a private transfer then the break can be flexble and you can talke to the driver if you wish to change the place for the break on the way to Halong.
20.Can I go directly from Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi Airport) to Halong Bay?
Yes, you can go directly from Noi Bai Airport to Halong but please note you need to get out of the airport before 8.30 AM to make sure you have enough time for transfer to Halong. The flight can be delayed so it is still risk to go directly from Noi Bai Airport to Halong in the same day.
21. Is it possible to travel from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay instead of Hanoi?
Transfer from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by taxi: This is convinient as you do not have to share with other people, the taxi can pick you up from anywhere in Ninh Binh but the price is pretty high comparing to other options.
Transfer from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by private car: This is very convinient when you have private transfer and the private car can pick you up from your hotel in most of places in Ninh Binh. You can save the time for transfer when the private car does not need to go around to pick up other people but the price is high also.
Transfer from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay by sharing limouine: Most of travelers choose this option because the price is cheap and the transfer is luxury, convinient with a luxury van. The sharing limousine also can pick you up from most of the places in the center of Ninh Binh.
22. Are there buses from Halong Bay to Sapa?
There are buses picked up from Halong to Sapa but not many and most of them are 2 buses connecting Halong - Hanoi bus and Hanoi - Sapa bus. From Halong to Sapa is a long way. So totally it is about 8.5 hours for transfer and break not including the gap time between 2 buses. Please consider the option for going to Sapa from Halong in the same day.
23. Are child seats or baby seats available in transfer vehicles?
Not all the transfer for Halong Bay cruises have baby seats so if you ahave request you can let us know and we will check for your group.
24. Can i request 1 way transfer for Halong Bay Cruise instead of 2 ways.
Yes, you can request for 1 way transfer instead of 2 ways for Halong Bay Cruise Tour. As many people may travel to Ninh Binh to take a tour in Ninh Binh or they may stay more night in Cat Ba Island, Halong City or even some people will take the transfer to Cat Bi Airport for thier flight to next destination so it is normal to do so. 25. Do luxury cruises offer limousine transfers instead of shuttle buses?
Yes, 99% of luxury cruises will offer lurry limousine transfer instead of normal shuttle bus. With luxury limousine travelers will have more privacy, bigger seats. The luxury limousine van or bus are the luxury van/bus converted to more luxury transfer. They are equiped with wifi, complimentary water, luxury and bigger seats, less number of seats with the same size comparing to the normal buses. There will be charging ports, screen, headphone or even massage machine on limousine. This option makes sure travelers who book the luxury cruises have the same standard with the service on the cruises. When there are less passengers on the van, bus then passengers do not have to spend much time going around the city for pic-up.
26. Can i bring big lugguage on the cruise?
For
Halong Bay Day Tour you should leave luggage in your hotels as most of you will go back to Hanoi. If some of you go to other places you can bring big lugguages with you. In that case and you are not small group of 1 or 2 persons you should check with Vietnam Escape Tours travel consultant to check with the cruise becuase taking luggage on the cruise is not a problem but there may be not enough space for your big luggage on the bus.
For Halong Bay overnight cruise, many people will bring big lugguage for 2 day 1 night or 3 day 2 night or they may bring all luggages as they go to other destinations after Halong. Normally, you can bring 1 suite case and 1 hand bag but if your suitcase is big please let Vietnam Escape Tours travel consultant know so we can check with bus to arrange the suitable bus for you. In case, you will go back to Hanoi then please leave as much as possible in your hotel in Hanoi to have more space for bus and cruise cabins. Many cruises have space for big suitecase but other cruises can be limited in the space for big lugguages. There can be not much space on bus for big lugguage also so if you can leave big lugguage in your hotel that will be good.
27. What should i bring when i travel on a cruise?
Like other trips but with Halong Bay cruises you will visit the caves and do kayaking, swimming so you may bring: Sunglasses, hat, comfortable shoes/sandals, swimming suites, warm clothes ( in winter), camera, credit card or cash ( Please note most of day cruise will not accept credit card), Insect repellent, personal medicine
Tips: You can also bring some candies, cakes, books for your children.
28. What shouldn't i bring when i travel on a cruise?
Alcohol: Most cruises don’t allow these because they provide their own dining and bar service.
Illegal items: Drugs, weapons, or any banned substances.
Pets: Animals are not permitted on board.
Large suitcases: abins are compact, so it’s better to bring a small overnight bag.
High-powered speakers or noisy devices: Cruises aim to maintain a relaxing atmosphere.
Drones: Some cruises prohibit drones for safety and privacy (always ask your operator in advance).
Flammable items: Fire safety rules are strict on ships.
29. Can i bring alcohol to the cruise?
yes, you can bring alcohol ( beer, wine, whiskey, vodka, rum, champagne, cocktails, liqueurs) but there will be service charge on that when you drink. Most of cruises will charge from 20 to 50 usd/ bottle of wine depending.
If you just bring them in your lugguage becuase you will travel to other destinations after Halong Bay then you can tell the cruise staffs and if you do not drinks they will not charge.
30. Is Halong day cruise or overnight cruise is recommended?
If you have time, we recommend
Halong overnight cruisebecause the round trip transfer is about 6 hours including break time. Overnight cruise will let you have more time for activities and more time for relaxation. If your time is limited and you may go for Halong Bay Day Tour and spend time on other places for your
trip in Vietnam.
31. Halong 2 Day 1 Night or Halong Bay 3 Day 2 Night Itinerary is recommeded?
Winter: If the cold weather is not a problem, you like outdoor activities like kayaking, cycling and you have time then
3 Day 2 night in Halong Bay will be good. If the cold weather is a problem then you can choose
2 Day 1 Night Halong Itinerary because in winter the temperature in Halong Bay will be around 8 to 15C and when you go kayaking you may get wet and it will be cold.
Not winter: If you travel not in winter, you are travelers who like outdoor activities and you have time then we recommend 3 Day 2 Night Itinerary. For 3 Day 2 Night you will have 1 day for kayaking, swimming, cycling on Cat Ba Island so it is good if you like outdoor activities and discovery. Of course, you need to have time because you need to spend time on other places for your
package tour in Vietnam.
32. Halong Bay Cruise or Lan Ha Bay Cruise? Which one is better?
All the cruises with Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay itinerary we name them Halong Bay Cruise in general. There are some hundred cruises in Halong and parts of them run in Lan Ha Bay and parts of them run in Halong Bay. In fact, Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay have very similar scenery, geograpy so when you are there you mostly do not know that is Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Halong Bay belongs to Quang Ninh Province while Lan Ha Bay belongs to Hai Phong Province.
In summer when it is the peak season for local who travel a lot in summer and they mostly travel a day cruise. So this time of year, most of the destinations in Halong Bay will be crowed when day cruise and overnight cruises travelers share the desinations in Halong Bay like Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, Titop Island. In the meantime, there are only some day cruise visiting Lan Ha Bay so in summer when you travel to Lan Ha Bay it is not too crowded like Halong.
Cruises: There are more good options for Lan Ha Bay comparing to Halong Bay becuase Lan Ha Bay belongs to Hai Phong and toursim just started some years ago in Lan Ha Bay so this destination still welcome more cruises register while Halong Bay limit the number of cruises so there are not many new cruises in Halong. The tickets in Lan Ha Bay is cheaper than Halong Bay also so most of new crusies from 2023 will operate in Lan Ha Bay and of course most of new cruises are luxury and good cruise.
33. Should i book driectly to the cruise website or with travel agent like Vietnam Escape Tour?
You can book directly with the cruise site or you can book with a travel company like Vietnam Escape Tours. Vietnam Escape Tours is one of the best tour company in Hanoi, Vietnam offering most kind of tours from
customized private tours to
group tours in Vietnam, from classic tour to hikking, trekking tour or special tours like golf tours, Halong cruise tour. We have good contact from cruise in Halong so we can offer the best price for your group.
34. How can i book a Halong cruise cabin?
To book a cruise cabin in Halong please
Stept 1: click to the link of Halong cruises, search for a cruise if you know already or you can click to each cruises to check the image, iinerary, general price to see which one you like.
Stept 2: After you determine the cruise you like, please choose the date, how many people you are, how many days ( 3 day or 2 day) then click Book Button, you will see the cabins information with price. You can choose with bus or without bus option.
Stept 3: When all are correct, you will fill in the form with your name and contact. After submitting, you will receive an automatic email with your booking information. This step is not the end of booking process.
Stept 4: Please wait for reply from our travel consultant. We will send you an email to inform you about availability of cabins and our exact offer price. Normally, it is within 24 hours. We will Whatsapp you also so you know to check your email if you have Whatsapp number.
Stept 5: After discussion ( if have) and you agree to book the cabins, our travel consultant will send you a link for deposit online ( about 20-30 person of total price). You will pay for it and get a confirmed email from us and all is done. You will pay the balance before your travel date or in some case you need to pay with different policy like it is charter or big group. Our travel consultant will work with you in each case.
35. Can i pay credit card on cruise?
Halong Day Tours: Most of Halong day tour crusie does not accept credit card on the cruise. Only some luxury day cruise accept credit card.
Overnight Cruises: 99% of Halong Bay overnight cruise accept credit card on cruise. Cash is accept of course and VND, USD are the most popular currency you can pay. For other currency you need to check in.
36. Can I request special meals like vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary?
Yes, all cruises can meet your special dietary like you are allergic to some kinds of food and the cruises will have other options for you. When you are vegan or vegetarian and cruises can have alernative menu for your group. Plesae inform Vietnam Escape Tours in advance when you book the cruise cabins then we can inform the cruise to prepare better.
37. Are all meals included on cruise?
Yes, full board meals are included in all the cruises in Halong Bay. 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 brunch for 2 Day 1 Night Itinerary and 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfast, 1 brunches for 3 Day 2 Night itinerary.
38. Are entrane fees included in the price?
Yes, all the entrance fees to tourist destinations in cruise itinerary are included so you do not have to pay for that when you vist the places in the itinerary of the cruise.
39: What are included and excluded in the price of a cruise?
Inclusion: Entrance fees, sightseeing fee, kayaking or bamboo boat trip, Welcome drink, English speaking guide, accommodation, full board meals, insurance on-board, fishing equipment, Sunset Party, cooking demonstration, complementary mineral in cabin.
Exclusion: Drinks not mentioned, transfer round ( optional when you book), tips for cruise’s team and driver, Personal expenses, All services and items not mentioned like massage, spa treatment.
40. Are drinks included in the price?
The drinks like soft drinks, alcohol are not included in the price except the complemetary water in the cabins, on bus and the welcome drinks.
41. Are tips included in the price?
No, the tips for driver and cruise seam are not included. It is not combulsory but it is recommended in service industry. The tips for driver can be around 5 to 10 usd for 1 cabin when you go with sharing bus and more when have a private transfer. The tip for cruise can be around 10 to 20 usd/cabin but it depends on your happiness.
42. Is smoking allowed on Halong Bay Cruise?
Smoking is not allowed in the cabins of Halong Bay Cruise but there is smoking area and you can smoke there.
43. Is there free wifi on limousine?
Most of limousine and bus to Halong now there is free wifi.
44. Is there free wifi on cruise?
Yes, almost of Halong Bay overnight cruises have free wifi but the signal is not stable in all the place. Many days cruise there is no wifi.
45. Is the itinerary fixed in all the days?
No, the itinerary can be changed depending on the weather.
46. Do i need to change to a day boat for the second day of 3 day 2 night itinerary?
Most of the cruises you will need to change to the day boat for the 3 day 2 night itinerary but there are some boat you can stay in the same boat for 3 day 2 night itinerary. You can check
Dragon Legend Cruise,
Dragon Pearl Junk,
Grand Pioneers they also have Heritage Itinerary which you do not have to change to another boat.
47. Is spa avaialbe on the cruise in Halong?
Yes, most of the cruises in Halong there is spa, massage service but you will need to pay extra for this service. The spa, massage service is not included in the price.
48. Are there any cruises with four seasoned swimming pool?
Yes, there are many cruises now with four season swimming pools or jacuzzi pool. You can check Grand Pioneers, Elite Of The Seas, Catherine, Lyra Cruise, Capella Cruise, Stellar of the Seas, Lamour Cruise.
49. Are electrical outlets available in the cabin?
Yes, all cabins are equipped with 220V electrical sockets.
50. Do Halong Bay cruises offer celebrations for special occasions such as honeymoons, wedding anniversaries, or birthdays?
Yes, mos of cruises in Halong Bay will offer celebrations for special occasions such as honeymoons, wedding anniversaries, or birthdays. Different cruises will have different offers but most of them will offer cabin decoration, cake and staffs may celebrate in the dinner.
51. Do i need a visa for visiting Halong Bay?
Halong Bay belongs to Vietnam so you will use the visa for Vietnam to visit Halong Bay. If you are not in the list of Vietnam visa exemption then you need to get a visa to Vietnam to visit Halong Bay.
52. Do i need to bring medicine on the trip to Halong Bay?
Yes, you should prepare your medicine yourselves for your trip to Halong Bay.
53. Can pregnant women travel on a cruise?
Yes, pregnant women can travel on a cruise in Halong without danger.
54. We are a family of 3 people. Is there any cabin for 3 people?
Yes, most of cruises in Halong Bay have triple cabins which can accommodate 3 people in 1 cabin.
55. Are there other languages speaking guide besides English?
All of Halong Bay cruises have English speaking guide. For the other languages it depends on each cruise as some of guides may speak other languges besides English.
56. Can i amend the date or number of cabins for my booking?
All changes to confirmed bookings are regarded as cancellations, with new bookings required. Cancellation fees will be charged according to the number of cabins canceled. It depends on the availability of the cabins on the cruise so we can change to a new date or other number of cabins or not. If not available, we will need to look for a new cruise. Of course, when you just need to change the date and we still can keep the booking on the same boat then most of the boats will be flexible to change for us if the date is not too closed. Vietnam Escape Tours team will be on be half of you to ask for the support from the cruise as we have very good relationship with most of the cruises in Halong Bay.
57. What is the cancellation of Halong Bay Cruise?
Different cruises have different cancellation policy. Please check the cancellation policy for each cruise. Of course, that is the cancellation but we always to try support travelers so please contact us as soon as possible so we can contact the cruise to support your booking cancellation.
58. Should i book Halong Bay cruise in advance or on arrival?
We recommend you to book a cruise in Halong in advance. There are hundred of cruises in Halong Bay but to choose a suitable cruises for your group style, budget and your travel dat is not easy. If you book a cruise on arrival you may not able to book the suitable cruises for your group. You should have time to search, check and in the high season or some special days most of cruises are not available. Booking in advance to make sure you have secure booking and you can enjoy your trip in Vietnam. You can book a cruise in your Vietnam Package Tours then you do not have to worry much about your trip as Vietnam Escape Tours will arrange all things for you. 59. Can i go to Cat Ba Island after Halong Bay cruise and how?
Yes, you can go to Cat Ba Island after an ovenright cruise in Halong Bay. There are some options for you.
Option 1: You will end your overnight cruise around noon time at 1 of 2 harbors in Halong City ( Tuan Chau Harbor or Sun International Harbor). There is ferry from Tuan Chau to Gia Luan ( ionCat Ba island). So, after Halong Bay cruise you can buy ferry tickets from Tuan Chau for Cat Ba Island. When you arrive at Gia Luan Harbor you can get a taxi or motorbike taxi to the center of Cat Ba Island. Please note in summer there will be more schedules but other season there are only 2 schedules/1 day so if you miss the ferry it means you need to wait for the next day.
Option 2: There are some cruises in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay can support you to drop you at Gia Luan Harbor on Cat Ba Island. Some of them will support you but will charge extra for that, some cruises will support you for free. From Gia Luan you will get a taxi or Vietnam Escape Tours can support you to book a taxi/ car for the transfer to the center of Cat Ba Island. This options seesm very good for you as you can save your time. After the cruise trip you will be in Cat Ba Island instead of going back to Tuan Chau then get a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Please work with our travel consultant then we can advise for your which cruise in each case.
60. Do people get sea-sick in Halong Bay?
99.9% o ravelers do not get sea-sick in Halong Bay because it is a bay so it is very calm. Moreover, in the not good weather like typhoon, windy days the Halong Bay Adminstration will ban the cruises departing so when you travel on a crusie in Halong Bay it is calm.
61. What i the most luxury cruises in Halong bay?
62. What is the best time to visit Halong Bay?
October –Middle of December: Clear skies, mild temperatures (15–25°C), perfect for sightseeing and photography.
Middle of December - February: Cold (09–15°C) dry time
March - April: Wamer weather sometimes misty, giving the bay a mysterious and romantic atmosphere.
May: Starting for hot, less crowded for international tourist and the peak seaon for local people not started yet, ideal for swimming and relaxing.
June – September: Hot and humid with higher chances of rain or storms,. It is crowed time also when it is the peak season for local travelers and from 2020 a lot of local travelers start travelling on ovenright cruises and other travel on a day cruises. Now Vietnamese living standard is high so they can travel easily even the farmers. There is information this is low season and less crowded in Halong Bay is wrong. It was correct before 2020. From 2020 to 2022 when there was no international toursits so he cruises start marketing on local people and now this season is very crowed. You may see this information from Google or ChatGPT but they are wrong. We hope ChatPGT will change this information soon.
With the information above the best time to visit Halong Bay will be from October to end of May when it is dry season not too hot season.
63. How much does a Halong Bay cruise cost?
Day Cruise (4–6 hours): from $40 – $100 per person
Overnight Cruise (2 days 1 night): from $120 – $250 per person
3 days 2 nights: he price is about 2 imes of 2 day 1 night
Luxury Cruise: from $250 – $450+ per person for 1 night
64. Do the cabins have air-conditioning and hot water?
Yes, now all the overnight cruises have air-conditioning and hot water. Many overnight cruises now are very luxury and even the swimming pool with hot water.
65. Is there entertainment on board in the evening?
Yes, in the evening you can take part in squid fishing, singing karaoke, going to the sundeck for drinks on the bar or wathing the star. There are some crusies there are entertainment room for playing billard, poker, board games, playing cards.
66. Is there a child discount?
Yes, all cruises in Halong Bay have policy for children. The policy for children is different from different cruises and the different age will be different. Please contact Vietnam Escape Tours travel consultant to know about the policy for the children for the cruise you you book.
67. Do cruises provide babysitting services on halong bay cruises?
Most Halong Bay cruises do not offer professional babysitting services.
68. Are cruises wheelchair accessible?
Most Halong Bay cruises are not fully wheelchair accessible, as they have narrow walkways, steps, and multiple decks without elevators. However, nowadays there are more and more cruises have large cabins and have elevator to different decks so it is easy for wheelchair travelers. Of course, in some cases, wheelchair users may still need assistance from the staff or fellow travelers.
69. Do cruises offer squid fishing at night?
Yes! Most overnight Halong Bay cruises include night squid fishing as part of the evening activities.
