Day trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay is a great idea that can’t miss in your Vietnam journey if you happen to be in Hanoi for some days. Just about 150 kilometers far from the center of Hanoi, it only takes around 2-3 hours to go from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Till now, Halong Bay is one of the most attractive destinations and top choices among various appealing tourist attractions spreading from North to South of Vietnam.

Halong Bay is one of the world’s 7 natural wonders and considered a must-visit destination for foreign tourists when traveling to Vietnam. It consists of nearly 2000 islands and islets as well as magnificent cave systems. Therefore, tourists can relax and immerse into picturesque view and the breathtaking beauty of mountainous and sea scenery.

ha long bay

A part of Halong Bay – the beautiful UNESCO natural heritage 

Perhaps you will find it difficult to travel in Halong Bay within only one day since there are lots of interesting things to discover. However, it is completely possible for you to have a wonderful day trip in Halong from Hanoi with these tips and detailed itinerary below.

Let’s explore Halong Bay in one day with AZ Local Trip!

 12 BEST Day Trips From Hanoi  & Comparison (Inforgraphic + Photo)

BEST Halong Bay Tours

HANOI TO HALONG | by Shuttle Bus &Train & Private Car & Seaplane

1. Halong Bay Day Trip From Hanoi Overview

Halong Bay is listed as one of the most reputable tourist attractions in Vietnam with spectacular landscapes and limestones. Almost 2000 islands and islets, as well as mysterious cave systems, make it a natural wonder of the world.

Actually, Halong Bay cruises will include other beautiful bays such as Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Bay and Halong Bay itself. Nowadays, being a tourist hotspot, Halong Bay welcomes more than 6 million tourists annually.

This is how a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi looks like!

>>> Contact us for this exciting Halong Bay day trip! <<<

Joining Halong Bay day trip, tourists can not only visit Halong Bay but also can discover other destinations such as Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Bay which are not less appealing. Besides sightseeing, travelers also can participate in dynamic outdoor activities, including climbing, trekking, kayaking, or even yoga sessions on the beach.

2. Should you do Halong Bay Day trips?

Many people asking us for “should we do Halong Bay cruise for a day?”

The answer from us is “depend”, this may be a not really good answer but, we have to do so,

Because in our point of view Halong Bay worths spending at least 2 days 1 night, but if have to do in 1 day, you can see the comparison below for the duration.

If you have chosen Halong Bay for one day (1 day trip) choose the cruise to spend 2 hours on the new high way to the Bay, and spend at least 6 hours ( even 8 hours) on the bay instead of 4 hours on the road and 4 hours on the bay as many old cruises are running,

You have more time to enjoy the amazing landscape!

>>> Get the FREE ITINERARY PLANNING to explore Halong Bay to the fullest <<<

3. Halong Bay Day Trips and Alternatives

There are 3 main bays in Halong you should consider before taking the decision of booking tours,

Each destination has its own view (Lan Ha Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay)

Halong Bay is the biggest Bay in (1553 square kilometers) more islets and most popular one!

You can see the pic that Halong Bay is more famous but more touristic in comparison with Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

Bai Tu Long Bay is more for at least 2 days 1 night Cruise!

For 3 day trips to the Bay as you can see these activities are quite similar, the activities would be much different when you choose 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights, if in one day, the activities would be the same!

Our recommendations

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4. Places of Interest in Halong Bay Day Trips From Hanoi

Although one day is a short time to explore such an amazing wonder of nature, you still absolutely enjoy the best day in Halong with a range of different activities and visiting famous places in the bay. However, for your limited time, you should choose some of the following activities instead of being involved in all.

List of exciting activities you can join

Observing beautiful islets in Halong Bay

In Halong Bay, tourists can have a great opportunity to enjoy the spectacular sceneries of this bay. Halong is noted for thousands of limestone karst formations and green beaches. There, tourists can visit unique and strange islets in Halong Bay such as the Dog Stone and the Burning Incense islets, which are famous for their particular shapes and colors.

If fortunate, you can listen to an interesting legend about the origins of these islets. Don’t forget to bring your fully charged camera and take as many photos as possible to memorize unforgettable things in Halong Bay journey.

Observing beautiful islets in Halong Bay

The Kissing Rocks – Symbol of Halong Bay and there are also many other islets here with interesting names which based on locals’ imagination of their different shapes

Visiting fishing village

Now there are four remaining fishing villages: Cua Van, Vung Vieng, Cong Dam, and Ba Hang. Although people do not now live here full time, the locals do still carry out a lot of activities and work tasks here, such as fishing, net weaving, and pearl processing.

Coming to these villages, you can learn more about the culture and typical lifestyle of Vietnamese fishermen. For those who desire to enjoy the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of Halong, Ba Hang fishing village is definitely your ideal choice. This idyllic village is home to many households with their traditional career handed down from generation to generation.

Visiting fishing village

You can go to some floating fishing village in Halong to discover what the fisherman life like

Kayaking in Ba Hang fishing village

You can do kayaking or simply sit in a bamboo boat rowed by locals in a Ba Hang village to explore this beautiful village. Struggling the ups and downs with tidal waves and even heavy storms, the fishermen here still keep their optimism by “cheo” songs or “hat gheo” about their dream about a peaceful daily life.

Kayaking in Ba Hang fishing village

Kayaking is an amazing activity you can not miss when coming here

(photo: isewaathome)

Exploring the famous cave – Thien Cung Cave

Adjacent to Ba Hang fishing village, Thien Cung cave or also called Heaven Cave is one can’t-miss destination in the journey to Halong Bay.

Located in the northern direction of Dau Go cave, Thien Cung cave boasts its diverse stalactites and stalagmites in various and strange shapes. The name of this cave is originated from the unique stalactites’ shape inside the cave such as dragon, phoenix and Four Pillars, which reminds us of wonderful heaven.

Wandering along the mysterious and spectacular landscape of Thien Cung cave, tourists will have the feeling of entering a heavenly place full of bright lights and shapes. You can hear an amazing legend about an ancient Dragon King who helps Vietnamese defeat invaders.

Unique grottos and holes inside Thien Cung cave – the biggest cave in Halong Bay

Swimming in Monkey Island

Monkey Island is right nearby Halong Bay so that it can an ideal choice for you to go swimming. In this island, tourist can swim on the crystal clear emerald water with amazing backdrops that can’t be more wonderful.

Furthermore, you can also take a memorable picture with spectacular scenery and lovely monkeys in this romantic island, or just lay on the beach and enjoy the fresh air.

>>> Experience all the exciting activities in Halong Bay Tours! <<<

Halong Bay Tours

5. Quick Tips for Halong Bay 1 Day trips

Maybe you find it difficult to arrange a day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi by yourself, then book a Halong Bay cruise 1 day is a reasonable choice. As a result, you just need to enjoy the best of the cruise and can save your time and money.

Besides, the most suitable period to go on Halong Bay Cruise trip is when the weather is dry, not too hot and especially there is no rain or storm. Spring and summer are the best time all around a year to visit Halong Bay and they are also the peak time when there are a large number of both local and international travelers, and this bay gets more crowded than ever.

If you have any questions or if you want further information and advice, please feel free to contact us, the AZ Local Trip team. It is our pleasure to help you plan your perfect trip in Vietnam!