Vietnam

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Ha Long Bay

Limestone karsts and emerald water

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Ha Long Bay Plan a trip around Vietnam

Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
Currency: VND
Time zone: UTC+7
Country: Vietnam

Photo: shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, CC BY 2.0

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage bay in northeastern Vietnam, known for nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets rising from emerald water. Visitors come for overnight cruises, caves, kayaking and views of the karst landscape.

Largest cities

Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi
Da Nang
Hai Phong
Can Tho

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Vietnam
Capital: Hanoi
Region population: 1,540
Population of Vietnam: 96.2M
Country area: 331,690 km²
Official language: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND) · 1 USD ≈ 25,856 VND
Time zone: UTC+7
Calling code: +84
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 0 m
Plugs: A / C / F · 220V
Emergency numbers: 113 · 114 · 115
Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	20°	20°	23°	27°	29°	31°	31°	31°	30°	28°	26°	22°
Low	14°	16°	19°	22°	25°	27°	27°	26°	26°	23°	20°	16°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$23
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$70
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$235

Plan a trip to Ha Long Bay

Top things to do

≈ $18
Thien Cung Cave
Walk through large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites on a standard cruise route; go early to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $18
Dau Go Cave
The largest grotto in the bay, with three chambers and 19th-century French graffiti; it is usually paired with Thien Cung on the same boat route.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $20
Sung Sot Cave
A vast cave on Bo Hon Island reached by a climb of steps, with wide chambers and lighting; included in the longer 5 to 6 hour cruise route.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $20
Ti Top Island
Climb about 400 steps for a panoramic view of the bay and swim at the small beach below; the stop is short, so keep an eye on your boat's schedule.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
≈ $4
Luon Cave Kayaking
Paddle a kayak or take a rowed boat through a tunnel into a enclosed lagoon ringed by cliffs; kayak rental is about 100,000 dong.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
Free
Cua Van Floating Village
See houses and fish farms floating on the bay and learn about the fishing community; visits are usually by boat from a cruise.
- Half day
- Halong City
- Good for kids
≈ $6
Cat Ba National Park
Hike forest trails to viewpoints and look for the endangered Cat Ba langur; the island is reached by bus and ferry from Hanoi or Haiphong.
- Full day
- Cat Ba
- Good for kids
≈ $60
Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
Sail a quieter bay with similar karst scenery and fewer boats, departing from Hon Gai wharf; a good full-day alternative to the main bay.
- Full day
- Bai Tu Long Bay
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including British citizens, can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days for tourism, with an entry and exit stamp giving the date you must leave by; a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa is available for longer stays. From 15 April 2026, all foreign nationals arriving via Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City are encouraged to complete a digital arrival card online before arrival, and a health declaration may be required from 1 July. Passports need at least 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages, and rules differ by nationality, so check the official Vietnamese immigration guid

Official website

From the airport

Most travellers arrive from Hanoi, about 170 km away, by shuttle bus or private car in roughly 2.5 to 4 hours, or by seaplane in about 45 minutes to Tuan Chau Island Marina. Van Don International Airport (VDO) serves the bay with limited domestic flights.

Getting around

The islands are reached by boat from Halong City, Tuan Chau or Haiphong; on land, taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the city and port areas.

Local tips

Carry cash in Vietnamese dong for ports, small vendors and tips; cards work at larger hotels and cruise operators.
Book cruises through a reputable operator and confirm the route, as many boats follow the same crowded itineraries.
Swim only at island beaches, not in Halong City, and check water quality with your cruise staff.
Bring a light rain jacket and insect repellent; summer is hot and humid with frequent rain from June to September.