5 BEST Halong Bay Tours in Vietnam

Looking for a fantastic tour to Halong Bay? I’ve got you covered!

Vietnam’s Halong Bay is without a doubt one of the natural wonders of the world, but the right tour can really make or break your experience. Trust me, I know! I’ve done a ton of different Halong Bay tours during my travels through Vietnam, and they’re definitely not all created equal. 

The right Halong Bay tour should include a comfortable boat, a great crew, and some fun activities to boot! With that in mind, I’ve rounded up my top 5 picks for Halong Bay cruises to help you have the best experience possible. 

Best Halong Bay Tours

1. Full-day tour from Hanoi – kayaking, swimming, hiking, and lunch

If you’re short on time and only have a single day to explore Halong Bay, then I definitely think that this boat tour is the best choice. In fact, you can even make things extra easy by including round-trip transport from Hanoi for just $10 USD extra. Not bad! 

What I love about this tour is that even though it’s fairly short, it delivers the full Halong Bay experience. We got to go kayaking around gorgeous limestone islands and beneath tunnel-like caves, and go swimming at a pristine beach. 

Another major highlight of the day was visiting Sung Sot Cave, which is Halong Bay’s largest cave. Exploring this cave made me feel as though I was on another planet! I also loved the shore excursion on Titop Island, where we got to trek to the top and enjoy panoramic views of Halong Bay. Needless to say, it was pretty epic up there, but those who didn’t want to hike were free to stay on the beach. 

The boat itself was also super comfortable, with an old-school Vietnamese-style dining room and a spacious viewing deck with armchairs and sun loungers. We got a delicious local lunch on board, and there was a ton of variety, which I really appreciated. The spring rolls were especially yummy! 

This is a great option if you only have one day to enjoy Halong Bay. Plus, if you book this tour with transport included, you can be back in Hanoi by the evening!

2. Day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi, including an onboard jacuzzi

I must say, I think this full-day tour has one of the best boats in Halong Bay! There is a beautiful grassy area on top, perfect for taking in the views and relaxing in the on-board hot tub – how cool is that?

Besides relaxing on board the boat, you can also choose to go kayaking through Halong Bay and take a bamboo boat ride into Surprise Cave, which looks like so much fun. The cave is spectacular, so it’s a real must-see in my book! 

You’ll also get a delicious buffet lunch on board, which involves local seafood like shrimp, oysters, and prawns (don’t worry, there are plenty of vegetarian options, too!). Then, with full bellies, you’ll head to Titop Island. I have done this trek on other tours and must say, it’s worth it for the amazing views over the bay!

After taking in the spectacular sunset views over the bay, you’ll get to enjoy a fun sunset party! With music, dancing, and some very reasonably priced drinks, I guarantee you’ll have a blast saying goodbye to Halong Bay as the sun goes down!

This tour is a fantastic all-rounder. It provides a wholesome adventure during the day, and then a fun sunset party at night – what more could you ask for?

3. Halong Bay overnight cruise with multiple options

What’s great about this overnight cruise is that there are many different options available! There’s the option to explore Halong Bay, but you could also visit Lan Ha or Tu Long, both of which are quieter and less touristy than their famous neighbor. 

As well as a choice of destinations, there are also a bunch of options in terms of accommodation to choose. The choices range from a typical 3-star Halong Bay experience with kayaking, squid fishing, and a cooking demo, to 6-star digs with huge panoramic windows, a king-sized bed, a sunset dinner on deck, and Tai Chi. These are the bookends, but there are over 20 options between them, so you should definitely be able to find one that fits your needs.

I went for the 4-star cruise because it seemed like a happy medium. Our cabins were very comfy and modern, but the best part was all of the activities that we got to do. Squid fishing was a lot of fun; I loved Taichi, and the cooking class was great, but my personal favorite experience was the sunset party with karaoke!

Really, the best way to experience Halong Bay is to do an overnight trip if you can. This gives you more time to travel deeper into the bay and explore quieter areas that are much less crowded.

So if you have the time and the budget to treat yourself to an overnight cruise, I highly recommend booking one of these many excellent options!

4. 3 days, 2 nights in Halong Bay, including cooking classes, fishing, and more

What’s better than spending a night in Halong Bay? Spending two nights – duh!

I love this 3-day, 2-night cruise because it allows you to tick off the bay’s tourist highlights, such as Surprise Cave and Titop Island, as well as visiting more far-flung corners of the region. In fact, on the second day, don’t be surprised if you don’t see another boat for hours! So if you’re looking to see Halong Bay at its most untouched and beautiful, this is the cruise for you. 

Although you get to experience Ha Long Bay at its most gorgeous and quiet, there is plenty of fun to be had on board. I love that there is a sunset party and a relaxing sunset kayak session. You can also learn how to make rice rolls during a Vietnamese cooking class and visit a pearl farm.

If you choose the Lan Ha Bay cruise, it also includes Taichi and a cycle tour through a local village. Bai Tu Long cruises are also available, but Halong Bay is of course the most iconic! 

This is definitely the Halong Bay cruise I would choose if time and budget weren’t huge issues. Although it’s one of the more expensive choices on this list, there still aren’t many places in the world where you can enjoy a 2-night, 5-star luxury cruise for just $290 USD!

5. Overnight luxury Halong Bay Cruise

If you’re a luxury lover who’s short on time, then this overnight Halong Bay cruise is absolutely perfect! The boat itself is gorgeous and so luxurious, and provides private en-suite cabins. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a floating 5-star hotel. I have to give a shout-out to the staff, too, because they were simply incredible!

As for the setting, there are very few places that can rival Halong Bay in terms of dramatic beauty. We had so much fun exploring the Sung Sot Cave and trekking to the top of Titop Island to enjoy insane views over Halong Bay. However, since the boat was so nice and I opted for a room with a private balcony, I also enjoyed some time relaxing by myself and just soaking it all in! 

The food on board was incredible too, and there were plenty of both Western and Vietnamese options. Personally, I loved all the fresh seafood. There was also live music after dinner, which we enjoyed with a few cocktails in hand, and there was a hot tub on the deck of the boat. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for more! 

I think that this overnight cruise is the perfect option for couples looking for a romantic trip. It was such a special experience and one that I’ll remember for a long time to come. If you’re in Halong Bay to celebrate an occasion such as an engagement, a birthday, or an anniversary, then I highly recommend that you book this tour.

Where to Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is the most popular place to stay if you’re visiting Halong Bay. Most of these tours offer transportation from Hanoi, so it is an easy base to explore! Here are a few recommendations for a great place to stay before you set sail.

Luxury – $$$

I often love staying at the JW Marriott Hotel when I travel abroad because you always know what you’re going to get – high quality! The JW Marriott hotels always offer the nicest rooms, super comfortable and clean, and friendly staff that meet all your needs. It’s just a quick tuk-tuk ride from Hanoi’s top sights, and you can enjoy the 5 on-property restaurants, spa, and pool.

They offer a range of room options, so prices can range from about $230 USD up to $800 USD. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com!

Mid-range – $$

Aviary Hanoi Hotel & Travel is located right in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, so you’re close to some of the best city sights. The staff stands out here, making sure all of your needs are met, and they can help set up transportation around the city. You can get double or twin rooms, suites, or family rooms, and some come with a city view!

Prices range from $135 – $215 USD, but if you book early, you can snag a good deal. Book this stay on Booking.com.

Budget – $

If you’re traveling on a budget but still want a comfortable stay, The West Hotel & Spa is a great pick. The rooms are clean and cozy with a traditional feel, plus there’s a spa on-site for an affordable massage after exploring the Old Quarter! A generous breakfast buffet is included—with strong coffee, fresh fruit, and hot dishes—and the hotel is within walking distance of Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Train Street.

For around $80 to $100 USD a night, this hotel offers incredible value in a top location. Check availability and book your stay here.

For more options, check out all the hotels in Hanoi here!

Thanks for reading!

Halong Bay is such a magical place; I know you’ll have a fantastic time no matter what tour you go on! Although if you have the time and budget to take an overnight cruise, I definitely recommend it. It truly is an unforgettable experience and the best way to see every corner of Halong Bay.

Thanks for reading my blog! If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other Southeast Asia blogs. We’ve been long-term travelers for years and years, so we have a lot of exciting places and travel tips to share with you – I’ll leave a few other recommendations below!

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10 BEST Things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Where to Stay in Hoi An, Vietnam: 4 Best Areas & Hotels