Ha Long

Mystical limestone islands and emerald seas

Ha Long is a coastal city in northern Vietnam known for its dramatic limestone islands rising from emerald waters. The area features thousands of small and large karst formations, many with caves that hold ancient fossils and unique rock patterns. Local fishing villages dot the shoreline where boats move quietly between islands at sunrise. The climate stays warm year-round with frequent light rain, creating lush greenery along cliffs and beaches. Visitors can explore historic caves or take short cruises to see hidden lagoons and waterfalls tucked into rocky crevices.

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City in Vietnam

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.9

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at most hotels, on cruises, and in tourist areas, but less so in local markets or with older residents. Basic communication is usually possible for travelers.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Ha Long Summary

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Great for coastal scenery and boat excursions. Take cruises among limestone islands, visit caves, kayak in sheltered bays and enjoy seafood along the waterfront.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Natural sites

Sea

Guided tours

Kayak & SUP

Boating

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

Vietnam – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type C Type A: Type C: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Vietnamese Dong (VND) £1 ≈ ₫34,381
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Vietnam, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Cash is still commonly used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, but small tips are appreciated for good service in restaurants, taxis, and hotels.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Vietnam, but drinking in certain public spaces, like parks, may be regulated.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces, but there are smoking restrictions in some indoor public areas.

Independence Day (2 September)	Celebrates Vietnam’s independence from France
Tết (January/February)	The most important holiday in Vietnam, typically in January or February

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 113 (Police), 115 (Ambulance), 114 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	Vietnam is famous for its vibrant cities, historic sites, and stunning landscapes like Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta, offering a rich and diverse travel experience.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ha Long, Vietnam

☁️

Jan

🌥️

Feb

🌧️

Mar

🌧️

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌥️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	March, June - July, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Typhoon season June to September: cruises often suspended and itineraries cancelled at short notice

Tet, late January to mid-February: domestic travel surges, many local businesses closed for several days

Don't miss

⛵ Cruise through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts and emerald waters
🛶 Kayak into hidden lagoons and explore sea caves
🌅 Watch sunrise from the deck of an overnight cruise
🪨 Visit Sung Sot Cave with its stunning formations
🏔️ Climb Ti Top Island for breathtaking panoramic views
🐟 Taste fresh seafood at floating fishing villages

You've been here?

Why travel to Ha Long?

If you’re into jaw-dropping natural scenery, Ha Long Bay is a must-see. Cruising between the towering limestone pillars, you’ll feel like you’ve sailed into a fantasy novel. There are endless chances for adventure-kayaking, swimming or simply soaking in the views from a boat deck. The sunsets here are unforgettable and the caves and floating villages add a unique cultural twist. But, be prepared: Ha Long is no secret. It can get crowded, especially during peak season and some areas suffer from over-tourism and litter. Picking a reputable cruise operator and avoiding the busiest routes can help you find those magical, quieter moments.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Tuan Chau Island
2 Bai Tu Long Bay
3 Ti Top Island
4 Viewpoint
5 Thien Cung Cave
6 Dau Go Cave
7 Surprise Cave
8 Quảng Ninh Museum
9 Bai Chay Bridge

🎡Places for activities

1 Bãi Cháy
2 Lan Ha Bay
3 Đảo Cống đỏ
4 Mê Cung
5 Luon Cave
6 Halong International Cruise Port

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Ha Long Bay
A UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay features thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. The bay offers serene cruises, cave explorations and vibrant marine life along its dramatic coastline.
2 Monkey Island
3 Dragon Eye Island
4 Fighting Cock Islet
5 Thien Canh Son cave
6 Đảo Ngọc Vừng

🛍️Shopping

1 Cái Dăm Market
2 Vincom Plaza Ha Long
3 Chợ Hòn Gai (Hon Gai Market)
4 Halong Marine Plaza

🎈Events

Ha Long Carnival
Ha Long International Tourism Week
Quang Ninh Trade Fair
Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon
Ha Long Cherry Blossom Festival
Sea Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)
Lantern Festival
Dragon Boat Race

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Knowledge before you go

Book bay cruises early; quality varies widely by operator.
Start boat trips early morning to dodge crowds, haze and midday heat on deck.
Carry cash and sun protection; small vendors and boats often avoid cards.
Consider an overnight cruise or nearby Lan Ha Bay for calmer waters and fewer tour groups.

How to travel to Ha Long

Ha Long is about 180 km from Hanoi. The most common way to get here is by shuttle bus, private car or guided tour from Hanoi (about 3–4 hours). There’s also Van Don International Airport nearby, serving some domestic and limited international flights. Ferries and cruise boats connect Ha Long with Cat Ba Island and other bays.

Access summary

From Van Don Airport (VDO): Shuttle or taxi, usually around 45–60 minutes.
From Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport): Direct bus or private transfer, roughly 2.5–4 hours.
From Hai Phong (Cat Bi Airport): Highway bus or car, typically 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ha Long

Ha Long offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels and resorts to budget hostels and homestays. Many visitors opt for overnight cruises in the bay, which range from basic to five-star luxury. Book early in peak season.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort

8.9

Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long

9.2

Novotel Ha Long Bay Hotel

8.5

DeLaSea Ha Long Hotel - Modern Bayview Escape

9.1

Halong Boutique Hotel

9.2

THE WATSON PREMIUM HALONG HOTEL

9.2

Muong Thanh Luxury Ha Long Centre II

8.7

Wyndham Legend Halong Hotel

8.9

Peony Cruise managed by Big Bay Group

9.4

Muong Thanh Luxury Quang Ninh Hotel

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ha Long

The best way to experience Ha Long is by boat – most visitors join day or overnight cruises to explore the bay. In the city, taxis, buses and motorbike rentals are available. Walking is pleasant along the waterfront, but distances between attractions can be large.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-72 %

Daily expenses in Ha Long are around 72% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-12 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to VND) is 12% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£21	£49	£158
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£9	£26	£90
🍝 Food per day	£10	£21	£59
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£8

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.80
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.29
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£5
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£31
🤧 Cold medication	£1.30
💇 Basic haircut	£1.90

Safety information overview

General safety

Ha Long is generally safe, but petty theft like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Always check boat safety standards before joining cruises and keep valuables secure.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available in Ha Long city, but for serious issues, Hanoi is better equipped. Drink bottled water and be cautious of food hygiene on boats and in markets.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies: major hotels and some cruise boats cater to mobility needs, but many caves, islands and smaller boats are not wheelchair-friendly. Streets can be uneven and crowded.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and should be used for drinking and brushing teeth. Public water fountains are rare.