A Ha Long Bay cruise is the standard way to see the limestone islands of northern Vietnam, and the first choice is simple: a day trip or a night on board. Both use the same set of routes fixed by the bay’s management board, and both pay an official sightseeing fee on top of the boat. This guide explains the routes, the fees, the boat timings and the discounts, then compares a day trip with a one night cruise so you can book the right one.
Know before you go
- Where: Quang Ninh province, northeast Vietnam.
- UNESCO site: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, 1,133 islands and islets.
- Day routes: VHL1 to VHL8, fees from 70,000 to 600,000 VND per person.
- One night fee: 500,000 or 550,000 VND per person, depending on route.
- Boats leave: from 05:00 (April to October) or 05:30 (November to March).
- Last checked: 5 November 2026.
In this Article
- Ha Long Bay cruise in Vietnam: the basics
- Official routes and sightseeing fees
- Ha Long Bay cruise 1 night: overnight fees
- Ha Long Bay cruise day trip vs 1 night
- Ha Long Bay cruise price: what you actually pay
- Boat timings and opening hours
- Discounts for children and other visitors
- Ha Long Bay cruise booking tips
- Ha Long Bay cruise experiences worth choosing
- Rules on board and in the bay
- Planning the rest of your Vietnam trip
- FAQ
Ha Long Bay cruise in Vietnam: the basics
UNESCO lists Ha Long Bay together with the Cat Ba archipelago as one World Heritage Site covering 65,650 ha and 1,133 islands and islets, in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city. It calls the bay the best known example in the world of tower karst invaded by the sea. In plain terms, it is a sea full of steep, forested limestone towers, with caves and notches cut into their bases.
Every cruise, from a four hour boat trip to a two night ship, follows one of the routes set by the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board. Your ticket for the bay is tied to that route, so the route number matters more than the boat’s marketing name.
Official routes and sightseeing fees
The board’s fee page lists eight day routes. The fee is per person, per visit, and is separate from the price of the boat itself.
| Route | Main stops | Fee per person |
|---|---|---|
| VHL1 | Thien Cung cave, Dau Go cave, Dog Rock, Ba Hang, Dinh Huong islet, Trong Mai islet | 250,000 VND |
| VHL2 | Soi Sim beach, Ti Top island, Sung Sot cave, Me Cung cave, Luon cave, Trinh Nu cave | 250,000 VND |
| VHL3 | Cua Van floating culture centre, Tien Ong cave, Ba Ham lake, Ba Men temple | 200,000 VND |
| VHL4 | Co cave, Thay cave, Cap La cave, Vong Vieng, Tung Ang, Cong Do island | 200,000 VND |
| VHL5 | As VHL1, then on to Gia Luan on Cat Ba | 250,000 VND |
| VHL6 | Chan Voi islet, Ba Cua inlet, Tung Lam island, Cap Bai islet | 150,000 VND per day |
| VHL7 | Combines VHL1 to VHL4, only for exploration cruise ships | 600,000 VND |
| VHL8 | Coastal run between Tuan Chau port, Ha Long port and Nam Cau Trang | 70,000 VND |
Fees for VHL6, VHL7 and VHL8 apply from 1 May 2025. VHL1 and VHL2 are the busiest routes, because they include the best known caves and Ti Top island.
Ha Long Bay cruise 1 night: overnight fees
Overnight cruises pay a separate fee that covers the route plus the night at an approved anchorage. One night allows up to 24 hours from departure, and two nights up to 48 hours.
| Overnight route | Anchorage area | 1 night | 2 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 2 | Trong cave, Trinh Nu cave, Dong Tien lake, Ti Top | 550,000 VND | 750,000 VND |
| Route 3 | Tien Ong cave area | 500,000 VND | 650,000 VND |
| Route 4 | Cong Do area | 500,000 VND | 650,000 VND |
Route 4 heads to the quieter Cong Do side of the bay. Route 2 covers more of the famous stops but is also where most boats go.
Ha Long Bay cruise day trip vs 1 night
Here is how the two options compare in practice.
| Day trip | 1 night cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Time on the water | Roughly 4 to 8 hours | About 24 hours |
| Typical stops | One route, usually VHL1 or VHL2 | Route 2, 3 or 4 plus anchorage |
| Sunset and sunrise on the bay | No | Yes |
| Official sightseeing fee | 150,000 to 600,000 VND | 500,000 to 550,000 VND |
| Best for | Tight schedules, day trips from Hanoi or Ha Long city | Slower trips, sunset, quieter areas |
A day trip suits you if you are short on time or prone to seasickness. You will see one or two caves, maybe Ti Top island, and be back on land by evening.
A one night cruise is the better choice if you can spare the time. Day trippers head back to port in the afternoon, so the anchorages get much quieter, and you see the bay at sunset and early morning. Longer cruises also reach areas like Cong Do that day boats rarely cover.
Ha Long Bay cruise price: what you actually pay
Cruise prices are set by private operators and vary a lot with the boat class, cabin and season, so no single price applies. When you compare quotes, split the cost into three parts:
- The boat or cruise fare, which covers the vessel, meals on board and often transfers from Hanoi.
- The official sightseeing fee for your route, listed above.
- Extras such as kayaking, drinks, or a private car.
Check whether the sightseeing fee is included. Some cruises include it in the fare, others add it at the port. If two quotes look very different, the fee and the transfer are usually the reason.
Boat timings and opening hours
The board sets fixed departure windows for all tourist boats:
- From 1 April to 31 October, boats leave from 05:00 and must be back in port by 20:00.
- From 1 November to 31 March, boats leave from 05:30 and must be back by 19:00.
The main caves and islands also have fixed hours. In summer (16 April to 31 October), Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot, Luon cave and Ti Top open from 07:30 to 17:30. In winter (1 November to 15 April), they close at 17:00. Me Cung, Tien Ong and the Cua Van floating culture centre open at 08:00.
Discounts for children and other visitors
The board’s discount rules apply to the sightseeing fee, not to the cruise fare:
- Children under 1.2 m tall, or under 7 years old, go free. Carry a passport or birth certificate.
- Children aged 7 to under 16 get 20% off, including foreign children. A passport is the proof needed.
- People with severe disabilities go free, with the right certificate.
- The 50% senior discount is for Vietnamese citizens aged 60 and over only.
You claim these at the board’s ticket counter at the port, before boarding.
Ha Long Bay cruise booking tips
The board’s own advice is direct. Do not stop for touts on the road into Ha Long city or near Tuan Chau port who offer rooms, food or boats. Do not hire a boat from anyone outside the official port. Go into the port terminal, where the board’s guides can explain the routes and sell fee tickets.
Before you pay for a cruise, check these points:
- The route number (VHL1, VHL2, overnight Route 2 and so on).
- The departure port, usually Tuan Chau or Ha Long international port.
- Whether the sightseeing fee and Hanoi transfers are included.
- Whether kayaking or a cave visit is part of the plan or an extra.
- The cancellation policy if the weather turns, since boats can be held in port in storms.
Indian travellers also need a Vietnam visa before the trip. See our Vietnam visa guide for Indians.
Ha Long Bay cruise experiences worth choosing
Most cruises mix a few of these:
- Walking through a big lit cave such as Thien Cung or Sung Sot.
- Climbing the steps on Ti Top island for the view over the bay.
- Kayaking or a bamboo boat ride through low sea caves.
- Swimming at Ti Top or Soi Sim beach in the warmer months.
- Visiting the Cua Van floating culture centre on route VHL3.
- Watching sunset from the deck on an overnight cruise.
Rules on board and in the bay
The board asks visitors not to bring single use plastic on bay trips and not to throw rubbish into the water. Do not break plants or stalactites, write on cave walls or buy coral. It also asks visitors not to buy from small boats that pull alongside tour boats to sell goods.
Planning the rest of your Vietnam trip
Ha Long fits well into a north Vietnam loop from Hanoi. Our 10 day Vietnam itinerary shows where a cruise fits, and if you are heading to central Vietnam, see the guide to Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge.
FAQ
How much is a Ha Long Bay cruise in Vietnam?
The boat fare depends on the operator and class. On top of it, the official sightseeing fee is 150,000 to 600,000 VND per person for a day route, or 500,000 to 550,000 VND for one night.
Is a Ha Long Bay cruise for 1 night worth it?
For most people, yes. You see sunset and early morning on the bay, the anchorages are quieter after day boats leave, and you can reach areas like Cong Do.
Can you do a Ha Long Bay cruise as a day trip?
Yes. Day routes VHL1 and VHL2 are the most popular, and boats run from early morning until 19:00 or 20:00 depending on the season.
How do I book a Ha Long Bay cruise safely?
Book through a known operator or at the official port terminal. Do not hire boats from touts outside the port, and confirm the route number and what the price includes.
What are the best Ha Long Bay cruise experiences?
The main ones are the big caves, the view from Ti Top island, kayaking through sea caves and sunset on an overnight cruise.
Official resources: Ha Long Bay management board: sightseeing fees; Ha Long Bay: visitor hours; UNESCO: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago
Photo credits
Featured image: McKay Savage from London, UK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; Ha Long Bay cruise in Vietnam: the basics: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Official routes and sightseeing fees: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Ha Long Bay cruise 1 night: overnight fees: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Ha Long Bay cruise day trip vs 1 night: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Boat timings and opening hours: Steffen Schmitz (more photos) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Boat timings and opening hours: Kris Martyn / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Ha Long Bay cruise experiences worth choosing: Nguyễn Thanh Quang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; Ha Long Bay cruise experiences worth choosing: lumoplank / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Ha Long Bay cruise experiences worth choosing: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
