Ha Long Bay is located in northeastern Vietnam and is part of Quang Ninh Province. The Bay encompasses nearly 2000 islands of various sizes. Ha Long Bay was first recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1994 by UNESCO for its natural beauty and, for the second time, for its geographical and geomorphological values in 2000. Ha Long Bay has also been officially honored as one of the seven new wonders of the world since November 2011 by the New Open World Organization. This confirms the global premier value of Ha Long Bay.

In this post, we will share some useful tips to reach this wonderful destination from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

What is the best month to visit Ha Long?

The perfect time to visit Halong Bay is September – November, and March-May. During this period, Halong Bay enjoys pleasant weather and a clear, blue sky. Some days have light rain, and the wind is gentle. However, this is the peak season for tourists, so Halong is expected to be more crowded.

The period from May to September is often considered the low season of Halong Bay. Many cruises offer great discounts. But the risk of bad weather goes up in summer due to frequent storms and typhoons.

How to visit Halong Bay from Ha Noi?

Halong Bay is about 175 kilometers from Ha Noi, a 3-4 hour drive. Here are some popular ways to get there from Ha Noi.

By tourist bus

There are many bus companies running this way. It costs from 10 – 15 USD for a bus ticket. Here are some reliable bus companies from Ha Noi to Ha Long: Ninh Quynh Car Vip, Co To Limousine, Cua Ong Limousine, Kumho Viet Thanh, Dream Transport Limousine…

It quite easy to book a ticket online at https://vexere.com/en-US put Hanoi as your location and Halong for the destination. Normally, the buses stop in the center of Ha Long, then you will have to take a taxi to the port.

Local Bus

Most buses depart from My Dinh Luong Yen bus station. The first bus departs at around 6 AM; a ticket costs 100.000 VND. To book the ticket, you have to visit the bus station; also, you may have to pay an extra fee to reach the cruise center.

Private car

It’s quite easy to book a private 7-seater car or more from Hanoi; it costs around 75USD/1 way/7seater car. It is really suitable for traveling with a group of friends or your family.

Motorbike

It’s not really hard to rent a Motobike in Ha Noi. There are many rental shops in the Old Quarter with English-speaking staff to support you in this service. To rent a bike, you need to make a deposit and pay for rental fees. The shortest distance from Ha Noi to Halong is 155 kilometers, and it may take you about 3 hours to drive.

Important note:

– Limit speed: 40km/hour.

By Train

There is only one train that goes directly from Hanoi to Halong Bay, with a fare of 80,000 VND (about 4 USD). The train departs from Yen Vien Station in Hanoi at 4.55 Am and arrives at Halong City Station at 13:45 pm every day. For those who only have a day to visit Halong, a 6-hour train trip is definitely not a good choice.

From Halong station, you will need to catch a taxi to the city center, which will add to the cost. On the other hand, if you do not mind the long traveling hours and love the sound of the train whistle, this safe means of transport can offer you a lovely view of the scenery along the way.

Go to the home page of the Vietnam Railway at https://dsvn.vn/ and choose the language at the top right of the page.

How to visit Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh City?

At this time, travelers can take a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh to Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh province). The distance from the airport to the bay is 55 kilometers, and it will take you 1 hour to get there.

In case you book a Ha Long cruise ticket, you can take a flight to Hanoi, as most of the cruises can arrange the pickup service from Ha Noi.

Viet Dream Travel is offering a deal for cruises to explore Ha Long Bay. Let us have a chance to show you to the fullest, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:

Call/SMS/Whatsaap/Zalo (+84) 902 795 056 – (+84) 918 709 338 or [email protected]

Source: collected by An