How to Get to Halong Bay: A Rough Guide

Before getting to learn about Halong Bay and how to get there, it is important to know exactly where it is situated in Vietnam. As far as everyone is concerned, Halong is a world-famous travel destination which is located in Quang Ninh Province.

Administratively, it belongs to Ha Long City, Cam Pha Town, and the partial Van Don District. Geographically, Halong sets a location in the Gulf of Tonkin and shares the maritime boundary with China.

The bay is the center of a geological complex consisting of Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast and Lan Ha Bay, and Cat Ba Island to the southwest.

The most popular routes getting to Halong Bay

Popular Ways to Get to Halong Bay

Thanks to the favorable geographical conditions of the “descending dragon” bay, there are various means of transportation to Ha Long, including the airway, roadway, railway, and waterway.

Let’s draw a picture of 4 popular ways to travel that you can engage in.

Airway - Most Convenience Way

If you travel from overseas or further than Hanoi, flights to Ha Long Bay must be a priority thanks to the convenience and time efficiency. By air travel, you can fly to one of the three following airports near Halong Bay.

• Pros: Flying saves much time and energy for your trip. It is also convenient and economical when you decide on cheap airlines.
• Cons: The airfares, especially the first-class airlines, sometimes cost an arm and a leg. There are limited options when you fly to Van Don and Cat Bi Airport.

Roadway - Most Popular Way

Another popular way to travel around in either short or long distances to Halong is the roadway. Thanks to the upgrade of the expressway in Vietnam, traveling by shuttle bus, limousine van, private car, taxi, and even motorbike is more straightforward than ever. This way offers more of a local lifestyle and money-saving costs. For those on a budget, exploring the best Halong Bay tours for backpackers offers a variety of exciting, affordable experiences.

Depending on your budget and preference, you can choose a money-saving or a high-class one. Particularly, if you travel from Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and other destinations in northern Vietnam, we highly recommend the shuttle bus or luxury limousine to enjoy your ride to the fullest.

In case you depart from central and southern Vietnam, you should better take a night bus for the best comfort.

• Pros: A road trip is among the cheapest way to get to Halong Bay. The luxury bus ride offer pick-up/ drop-off services, wifi connection, air conditioner, bottled water, leather sleeping berth (night bus), and other essential amenities.
• Cons: If you travel over a long distance, it is quite dangerous and time-consuming to go on a road trip. Not to mention, the reclining seat is uncomfortable on a long-haul journey.

Railway - Most Local Way

For those seeking a local way to get to Halong Bay, the railway will give you a great chance to soak up the landscape at a slow pace. There are various choices you can choose from: a soft/ hard seat or a sleeper cabin; a local train or a luxury tourist train.

Although traveling by train takes more time than the bus/ car ride, you still enjoy the comfort zone and good sleep over long distances. In another respect, train tickets are far more expensive than bus fares.

• Pros: Train is the safest means of transportation to Halong Bay. Also, it offers an authentic and comfortable experience of getting around in Vietnam.
• Cons: The time-consuming and slow journey can make train travel more undesirable and unsuitable for those who are lack time.

Waterway - Most Scenic Way

From nearby regions, you can easily get to Halong Bay by waterway with cruise ships, a ferry, or a speed boat. The closest route is Cat Ba - Tuan Chau Ferry and speedboat departing from Hai Phong. This is a great way to explore a different Halong Bay for adventure tourists.

Additionally, you can choose a Halong Bay cruise to explore the in-depth beauty of the world’s natural heritage. Ha Long boasts some international ports which serve both logistic and tourism purposes.

• Pros: Getting via the waterway gives an opportunity to admire Halong Bay from a close distance. Also, the ferry and speed boat ticket is affordable for every budget traveler.
• Cons: This way can take a longer time to travel and does not suit those who have seasickness. 

How to Get to Halong Bay from Overseas

Before getting to Ha Long Bay from abroad, you have to book a Vietnam flight first. There are three main international airports (in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City) receiving a large number of international flights to the country.

Among those, the closest airport to Halong Bay is Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai Airport). As a result, the best way to travel from overseas must be to fly to the Hanoi airport first. It is especially convenient for those who plan to travel across northern Vietnam.

In other cases, taking an international flight to Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang and then planning to visit Ha Long is also a great option.

Fly to Hanoi is the best way to get to Halong from overseas

International flight routes

Up to now, Vietnam boasts numerous land crossings with its neighbors and international flight connections.

• From Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
• From Western countries: France (Paris), the UK (London), Germany (Frankfurt), Russia (Moscow), etc.
• From Americas: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco (the USA), Toronto, Vancouver (Canada), etc.

There is a high chance of non-stop flights between the USA and Vietnam in the near future. Don’t allow the limitations of direct flight routes to Vietnam to take the edge off your wanderlust. Sometimes an indirect flight to Vietnam can save the costs of transportation.

There is a great collection of transit flights through Thailand, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Seoul, etc. before flying to Vietnam. Following are some popular international flight routes from large cities all over the world to the surroundings of Halong Bay and Vietnam.

International flight routes to Halong, Vietnam

How much does it cost?

Generally, the average prices of a round-trip to Vietnam range from 350 USD to 1,500 USD. The airfares can vary depending on the season, airlines, cabin classes, and departure points. A journey from the USA costs higher due to the unavailability of non-stop flights into Vietnam.

You can expect lower costs during the off-season (May to October), while the highest prices surge up during December and February. Another way to save money on Vietnam flights is to book with budget airlines such as Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Pacific Airlines, and VietJet Air.

To make the best out of Halong Bay after travelling long distance, BestPrice Travel suggests you to explore the various Halong Bay 3 day cruise experiences available for a more in-depth adventure.

Getting to Halong Bay from a domestic destination

Upon arrival in Vietnam, you will have numerous choices to decide on the most suitable way to travel to Halong Bay. From any region in Vietnam, it is a piece of cake to travel around and pay a visit. Now, take a look at this guideline to find out the 6 most popular travel routes in Vietnam.

Hanoi to Halong Bay

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is situated on the western bank of the Red River in northern Vietnam. The distance between Hanoi and Halong is roughly 170 km with a travel time of around 3.5 hours following the old roadway of National Road 18.

However, the official launch of the New Highway 5B (Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway) has shortened the travel time to 2.5 hours since the beginning of 2019. Despite the close distance, figuring out how you can get from Hanoi to Halong Bay is really confusing.

Get to Halong Bay from Hanoi

In general, the travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay takes around 0.75 – 7 hours, depending on different means of transportation.

• The fastest way: by seaplane or helicopter (only 45 minutes)
• The slowest way: by train (up to 7 hours)
• The most popular way: by private car and bus (around 2.5 hours)

How to get to?

There are various ways you can choose to travel to Halong like a local or a tycoon. Let’s opt for one of our recommendations which differs vastly in quality, price range as well as a comfort zone.

Hai Phong to Halong Bay

As a prominent port city in northern Vietnam, Hai Phong shares the land and sea border with Quang Ninh province. It is pretty close to getting from Hai Phong to Halong Bay, only around 63km via the New Highway. If you follow the old expressway, the distance is lengthened to almost 90km.

It used to take you roughly 2 hours to travel by roadway. Now, you need only 1 hour to get to the bay via the New Highway from Hai Phong. The close distance makes it quite convenient to travel between Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island. However, it takes more than 3 hours to travel via the waterway.

How to get to?

Sapa to Halong Bay

Located in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam, Sapa is about 490 km far from Halong. The distance can be flexible according to different routes. Thanks to the construction of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, getting from Sapa to Halong Bay is much more convenient and faster than before. No matter which route you choose, the landscape is captivating and the ride is still enjoyable.

See the best ways to get from Sapa to Halong

Normally, you have to spend 7 - 10 hours traveling. Due to the long distance and the terrain of travel routes, the shortest travel time is 7 hours, making the journey a long-haul transfer. Considering which mode you should opt for will rely on the amount of time you wish to spend and how many points you want to stop on the way.

How to get to?

Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

Ninh Binh, a northern province in Vietnam, is known as the "Halong Bay on land” because of the similar system of limestone karsts, caves, and turquoise waters. About 220 km far, Ninh Binh is the second-best destination in the North to admire the laid-back sceneries and magnificent gift of Mother Nature.

Depending on which routes and vehicles to choose, it takes around 3.5 - 5 hours to get from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay. The best way to get is to follow National Route 38B via Ha Nam and Hung Yen province. After that, you should enter National Highway 5B.

How to get from Ninh Binh to Halong

How to get to?

Da Nang/ Hoi An to Halong Bay

Da Nang and Hoi An, the two most worth-visiting destinations in central Vietnam, are roughly 900 km and 930 km far respectively. Due to the far distance, it is possible to travel between Halong Bay and Da Nang by either roadway or airway.

If you travel by plane, it takes more than 1 hour to fly directly. Also, you can fly to the nearby airports in Hanoi and Hai Phong, then spend a couple of days discovering before getting to the bay. While traveling via roadway takes up to 16 hours to complete the route. You will travel across many beautiful destinations and stops along the way.

Distance between Halong Bay and Da Nang

How to get to?

Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay

Known as the most dynamic and fast-developing city in the South, Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon) is approximately 1,800 km far from Ha Long by land. Much further than Da Nang and Hoi An, it is possible to get from Ho Chi Minh to Halong Bay.

Traveling by land takes more than one day (approximately 33 hours) to travel. It is such a long-haul excursion that you must get tired and unpleasant on a car/train seat. That is the reason why many tourists opt for a flight to reduce the traveling time to only 2 hours.

From Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay

How to get to?

Suggested Itinerary to Get to Halong Bay

Apart from these mentioned ways of transportation, many travelers decide to take a Halong Bay trip to travel around. Here is our Halong tourist information for the best tours and excursions to choose from, depending on how long you can spend on vacation.

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Sapa

If you stay in Vietnam for only 4 – 6 days, don’t miss out on the discovery of northern Vietnam. If Hanoi appears as a capital featuring the laid-back history and the pace of modern life, Sapa will catch your eyes with stunning mountain views. On these scanty days, you will join a Halong Bay - Sapa tour with a shuttle bus transfer.

Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

Anyone who admires the nature of "Halong Bay on land" shouldn't miss out on a Halong Bay - Ninh Binh tour. Spend time enjoying the majestic limestone cliffs and hidden gems in these two water lands. You will have the chance to admire the glamor of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise and soak up the laidback of Ninh Binh on a boat tour.

>> You may want to read more: Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Halong Bay.

Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Hoi An – Hue – Hanoi – Halong Bay

In case you have more spare time from 10 to 15 days, a Vietnam package tour is an absolute way to get to Halong Bay. You can traverse from the South to the North on a journey to the top wondrous beauty spots in Vietnam. Take time to enjoy your excursion in Saigon, Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi before taking an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.

In conclusion, there is no exact answer to the question “How to get to Halong Bay?” as you will have various options for travel routes, means of transportation, and transfer providers. For those from overseas, it is best to book an international flight and a tour package with BestPrice Travel who will consult you about the best way to travel.

Hong Nhung

(Image source: BestPrice Travel)