Top places to visit in Ha Long City

• Ha Long Bay — UNESCO Seascape

  bay · 4.9 rating · about 16 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  One of the world's great natural wonders — 1,553 km² of emerald sea with 1,969 limestone islands. The only way to truly experience it is by overnight cruise: kayak through lagoons, swim in hidden coves, explore Thien Cung and Sung Sot…

• Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

  cave · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  The largest and most spectacular cave in Ha Long Bay, with vast chambers of stalactites.

• Sun World Ha Long

  theme-park · 4.3 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hillside-and-coast amusement complex with the Queen Cable Car, Sun Wheel and water park.

• Quang Ninh Museum

  history · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry 40,000 ₫ (≈ ₹150)

  Striking black-glass museum on the waterfront covering the region's history and coal mining.

• Luon Cave (Hang Luon)

  cave · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  Low arch leading to a hidden lagoon ringed by cliffs, explored by bamboo boat or kayak.

• Lan Ha Bay

  seascape · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Quieter southern bay of karst islets and beaches off Cat Ba, less crowded than Ha Long.

• Queen Cable Car & Sun Wheel

  cable-car · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry 380,000 ₫ (≈ ₹1,400)

  Record-tall two-storey cable-car cabins and a hilltop ferris wheel with bay panoramas.

• Bai Tu Long Bay

  seascape · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Northeastern extension of Ha Long Bay with pristine, less-visited karst seascape.

• Dau Go Cave

  cave · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  Historic "wooden-stakes" cave with grand chambers, on the same island as Thien Cung.

• Bai Chay Bridge

  landmark · 4.2 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Elegant single-plane cable-stayed bridge linking Bai Chay and Hon Gai, lit at night.

• Ti Top Island

  island · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  Small island with a crescent beach and a hilltop viewpoint over the bay.

• Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace)

  cave · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · entry 250,000 ₫ (≈ ₹920)

  Ornately lit grotto on Dau Go Island with fantastical rock formations.

Things to do

• Ha Long Bay 2D1N Cruise with Kayaking & Cave Outdoor · 24 h · from VND 2,343,000 per person
• Ha Long Bay Full-Day Cruise Nature · 8 h · from VND 689,000 per person
• Sung Sot Cave & Ti Top Island Tour Sightseeing · 6 h · from VND 551,000 per person
• Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Day Trip Nature · 9 h · from VND 772,000 per person
• Bai Tu Long Bay Overnight Cruise Nature · 24 h · from VND 1,654,000 per person
• Queen Cable Car & Sun Wheel Ticket Sightseeing · 2 h · from VND 331,000 per person
• Luon Cave Kayaking & Bamboo Boat Adventure · 2 h · from VND 413,000 per person
• Cua Van Floating Village Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from VND 358,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ha Long Bay 1-Day Cruise: Cave, Kayak & Seafood 8 h · from VND 965,000

Where to stay in Ha Long City

• Bai Chay Tourist Harbour about VND 1,800 per night

  The gateway to Ha Long Bay — most cruise operators depart from the international passenger port here. A wide range of hotels caters to overnight stays before/after bay cruises.

Hotels

• Heritage Binh Chuan Ha Long Bay Cruise 5-star · VND 8,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 per night
• Heritage Line Ylang Cruise 5-star · VND 8,000,000 to VND 20,000,000 per night
• Pelican Cruise Ha Long Bay 4-star · VND 3,000,000 to VND 8,000,000 per night
• Orchid Cruises Halong - Lan Ha 5-star · VND 4,500,000 to VND 10,000,000 per night
• Paradise Elegance Cruise 5-star · VND 4,000,000 to VND 9,000,000 per night
• Stellar of the Seas Cruise 5-star · VND 5,000,000 to VND 11,000,000 per night

Where to eat

• Vuon Dao Seafood Restaurant Vietnamese, Seafood · about VND 350,000 per person
• Cua Vang Restaurant Seafood, Vietnamese · about VND 300,000 per person
• Co Ngu Restaurant Seafood, Vietnamese · about VND 350,000 per person
• Bien Mo Restaurant Seafood · about VND 320,000 per person
• 1958 Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 300,000 per person
• Linh Dan Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 250,000 per person
• Cha Muc Ha Long Vietnamese, Seafood · about VND 90,000 per person
• Banh Cuon Cha Muc Ba Ngan Vietnamese · about VND 70,000 per person

Getting to Ha Long City

Airport: Ha Long City (VDO)

How visitors arrive in Ha Long City

• Bus to Bai Chay station By road · common

  Bai Chay is the main bus station, with connections across Vietnam. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight into Van Don airport, then road By air from Van Don · possible

  Airport lies to the northeast with mainly domestic flights; bus or taxi onward. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Private car from Hanoi Noi Bai airport unconfirmed

  Many providers offer private cars from Noi Bai airport or central Hanoi to Ha Long City. Book through your hotel or a reputable operator. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Tour shuttles and boats from the ports are often crowded and push add-ons; check posted official ticket prices at the ferry terminal before paying. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Minibus from Hanoi's Gia Lam bus station unconfirmed

  Minibuses run from Gia Lam bus station in Hanoi to Ha Long City and pick up passengers along the way. Air conditioning can be weak in summer. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Tour shuttles and boats from the ports are often crowded and push add-ons; check posted official ticket prices at the ferry terminal before paying. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental
• Taxi

  Taxis and motorbike taxis can be used around Ha Long, including short hops to the Bai Chay tourist wharf that Ha Long Bay visitors pass through.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unlicensed Budget Cruise

  Ha Long Bay boat operators

  Cheapest cruise packages (under $30/person/day) frequently operate unsafe vessels with poor food, inadequate life jackets, and non-existent environmental standards.

  How to avoid it: Choose cruises licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Budget minimum $80–100/person/night for reliable operators. Check TripAdvisor recent reviews.

• Overpriced Seafood on Board

  Ha Long Bay cruise boats

  Cruise operators charge inflated prices for seafood ordered onboard outside the set menu, or restaurant stops on islands overcharge for drinks and snacks.

  How to avoid it: Check what is included in the cruise price before boarding. Bring your own water and snacks for the island stops.

Best time to visit Ha Long City

• Jan 20°C
• Feb 22°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 31°C
• Jun 32°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 28°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 21°C

More in Vietnam

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Hanoi
• Hoi An
• Phu Quoc
• Da Nang
• Nha Trang

Frequently asked questions about Ha Long City

How many days do you need in Ha Long City?

A typical trip to Ha Long City is 1-2 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Ha Long City?

The highest-rated places in our Ha Long City guide are Ha Long Bay — UNESCO Seascape, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), Quang Ninh Museum.

Where should I stay in Ha Long City?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ha Long City: Bai Chay Tourist Harbour.

How do I get around Ha Long City?

Ways to get around Ha Long City covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Ha Long City?

Scams reported to us for Ha Long City include Unlicensed Budget Cruise; Overpriced Seafood on Board. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Ha Long City?

Average daytime highs in Ha Long City run from 20°C in Jan to 32°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Ha Long City?

The nearest airport to Ha Long City has the code VDO.