Vietnam / Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay / Ha Long BayHa Long Bay
Two Thousand Limestone Islands on Emerald Water
The bay of limestone islands and caves that UNESCO lists with the Cat Ba archipelago. Almost everyone sees it from a boat: an overnight cruise from Tuan Chau or Bai Chay (kayaking, Sung Sot cave, Ti Top island, a sunrise on deck) is far better than a day trip, and the cruise lines pick up from Hanoi's Old Quarter. Boats are stopped when a storm warning is issued, most often from June to October.
Highlights
- Overnight cruise among the karsts
- Kayaking through Luon Cave
- Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave
- Ti Top Island viewpoint
- Sunrise tai chi on deck
- Bai Tu Long Bay, the quieter side
- Floating fishing villages
- Seafood on board
Things to do
- Board an overnight cruise and sail into the bayAfternoon · 4h
- Kayak through Luon Cave lagoonAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Sung Sot CaveMorning · 1h 30m
- Climb Ti Top Island for the view and swimAfternoon · 2h
- Sunset on deck and squid fishingEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: October – May
Worth knowing
Cruises Suspended in Storms
⚠️ When a storm or tropical depression is forecast, the authorities stop all cruises and boats in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, often at a day's notice, and they have been quicker to do so since a tourist boat capsized in a sudden storm in July 2025. Most likely July to September. Book a cruise with a free date change or refund, and keep a spare day in Hanoi.
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.
- Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays — A long national holiday when much of the country goes to the beach and the hills: hotels in Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat and Sapa fill and raise prices, and buses and flights sell out. Book early or avoid these days.
- National Day holiday — Independence Day: parades and flags in Hanoi around Ba Dinh Square, and a holiday of two to four days when domestic tourists fill the beaches and Ha Long Bay.
Part of a longer route
Ha Long Bay is a stop on a curated circuit through Vietnam.