The north
Ha Long Bay
Bays, caves, overnight boats.
photo: limestone water at first light
Ha Long is the picture most people carry of Vietnam: limestone islands standing in calm water, roughly three hours east of Hanoi.
Day boats rush the bay; an overnight boat slows it down and puts the quiet hours at dawn on the water. Boats leave from the piers around Tuan Chau, and most routes loop the same core of islands with different stops along the way.
Where to stay
Bai ChayThe mainland side: hotels of every size, the cable car, and the piers for most boats.
Hon GaiThe city side across the bridge: the market, local kitchens, and fewer visitors.
On the waterOvernight boats moor in the bay; a night aboard is the one booking that changes the trip.
When to go
OctNovMarApr
Boats run all year. Late summer brings storms that occasionally ground sailings for a day, and winter mornings can be misty, which hides the islands and makes its own kind of picture.
Tours that start here
All toursAllSome links on this page are partner links: if you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting there
AirVan Don (VDO) is about an hour from the piers; flights are limited, so most people arrive by road.
RoadShuttle vans and coaches run from Hanoi in roughly three hours on the expressway.
SeaSome boats connect to Cat Ba island, which pairs well with a night ashore.
Questions, answered.
Day trip or overnight?Overnight, if the schedule allows: the bay at first light is why the route exists. Day boats spend much of the day in transit.
Which pier do boats use?Most depart from Tuan Chau marina; the operator confirms the pier and the car pickup when you book.
Can I swim or kayak?Some routes stop at a beach or a kayak point. Check the itinerary of the boat you pick rather than assuming.