Ha Long Bay: Entry Fee, Cruise Choice, and Transport from Hanoi Guide

Planning a Ha Long Bay visit means picking the right bay route, cruise type, and departure port before you leave Hanoi. This guide covers the official entry fee system, day vs overnight cruise decisions, and transport logistics so you can book with confidence instead of sorting it out at the dock.

The entry fee you pay depends on which route you take, not just whether you step onto a boat. An overnight cruise costs more in fees than a day trip, and the bay you choose — Ha Long, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long — changes both the price and the crowd level. All prices below are current as of July 2026.

What to know first

• Ha Long Bay charges a mandatory sightseeing fee (phí tham quan vịnh) on top of your cruise ticket — the fee ranges from 70,000 to 750,000 VND per person depending on route and duration.
• Day cruises follow routes VHL1–VHL8; overnight cruises pay separate overnight-route rates (500,000–750,000 VND for 1–2 nights).
• Lan Ha Bay (off Cat Ba Island, Hải Phòng) and Bai Tu Long Bay (northeast of Ha Long) are quieter alternatives with different fee structures and departure ports.
• The main departure port for Ha Long Bay is Tuần Châu International Passenger Port (Quảng Ninh); for Lan Ha Bay cruises you often board from Gia Luận port (Cát Bà, Hải Phòng).
• Hanoi to Ha Long is about 170 km — buses and limousine vans take 2.5–3.5 hours via the Ha Long–Hải Phòng expressway. Most cruise bookings include or offer round-trip transport.
• Typhoon season runs June through August; cruises may be cancelled on short notice. The best months are September to November (cool, clear skies) and March to May (sunny).

Source: Ha Long Bay panoramic view, Quảng Ninh Province. Photo by Rolf Müller via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

How the entry fee system works

The Ha Long Bay Management Board collects the sightseeing fee separately from your cruise fare. Every passenger pays it — there is no free category for foreign visitors. You pay at the ticket counter at the departure port, or your cruise operator collects it in advance as part of a package.

Day-tour routes and fees (06:30–18:30):

| Route group | Areas covered | Fee (VND/person) | |---|---|---| | VHL1 (Route 1) | Thiên Cung, Đầu Gỗ, Trống Mái | 250,000 | | VHL2 (Route 2) | Soi Sim, Ti Tốp, Sửng Sốt, Mê Cung, Luồn | 250,000 | | VHL3 (Route 3) | Cửa Vạn, Tiên Ông, Ba Hầm, Bà Men | 200,000 | | VHL4 (Route 4) | Cỏ, Thầy, Cống Đỏ, Tùng Áng caves | 200,000 | | VHL5 (Route 5) | To Gia Luận / Cát Bà (Hải Phòng) | 250,000 | | VHL6 (Route 6) | Chân Voi, Tùng Lâm, Cặp Bài (near Lan Hạ) | 150,000 | | VHL7 (Explorer) | Any combination from VHL1–4 routes | 600,000 | | VHL8 (Coastal) | Tuần Châu → Hạ Long → Nam Cầu Trắng | 70,000 |

Route 2 is the most common day-tour route — it covers the popular Sửng Sốt (Surprise) Cave and Ti Tốp Island beach stop.

Overnight-route fees:

| Route | Duration | Fee (VND/person) | |---|---|---| | Route 2 | 1 night | 550,000 | | Route 2 | 2 nights | 750,000 | | Route 3 | 1 night | 500,000 | | Route 3 | 2 nights | 650,000 | | Route 4 | 1 night | 500,000 | | Route 4 | 2 nights | 650,000 |

These fees are set by the Quảng Ninh Provincial People's Committee. The rates above were confirmed on the official Ha Long Bay Management Board portal (halongbay.com.vn) in July 2026.

Choose the right bay and cruise type

Ha Long Bay (core UNESCO zone): The classic choice. Most cruise operators, most routes, and the highest number of visitors. You get the iconic limestone pillars, cave access, and floating-village stops. Best for first-time visitors who want the full postcard experience. Downside: crowded during peak hours (10:00–15:00) and peak season (October–April).

Lan Ha Bay (Cát Bà / Hải Phòng): Smoother waters, fewer boats, and closer access to Cát Bà National Park. Day cruises often include kayaking into hidden lagoons. Board from Gia Luận port on Cát Bà Island, or book a VHL5 route from Tuần Châu. Good choice if you want calmer scenery without the heavy boat traffic.

Bai Tu Long Bay (northeast zone): The least developed option. Remote, quiet, fewer cruise operators — which also means fewer last-minute alternatives if your booking falls through. Better for multi-day expeditions than a quick day trip.

Day cruise vs overnight: A day cruise (4–6 hours) covers one route group, a cave visit, a beach or kayak stop, and lunch on board. You return to port by 18:30. An overnight cruise adds a second day, a sunset/sunrise on the water, and access to farther routes that day boats cannot reach in time. The overnight entry fee is higher (500,000–750,000 VND), and the cruise itself costs more — expect USD 120–300 per person for a one-night cruise, compared to USD 30–60 for a day trip.

How to get from Hanoi to the departure port

Most cruise bookings include Hanoi round-trip transport in a shuttle bus or limousine van. If you are traveling independently:

• Express bus / limousine van: 2.5–3.5 hours, 170 km via the Hanoi–Hải Phòng–Ha Long expressway (Highway 5B). Departures from Mỹ Đình or Giáp Bát bus stations in Hanoi. Fares range from 150,000 to 350,000 VND depending on vehicle type.
• Private car: 2.5 hours door-to-door, roughly 1,500,000–2,500,000 VND one-way from Hanoi.
• Train + taxi: No direct rail line to Ha Long. The nearest station is Hải Phòng (70 km from Ha Long). You would need a taxi or bus from Hải Phòng station to the port — not recommended unless you are already in Hải Phòng.
• Seaplane: Hải Âu Aviation runs 45-minute scenic flights from Nội Bài Airport (Hanoi) to Tuần Châu Marina. A premium option; check availability and pricing directly with the operator.

Port check: Confirm which port your cruise departs from before you leave Hanoi. Tuần Châu International Passenger Port handles most Ha Long Bay cruises. Hạ Long International Cruise Port serves larger vessels. Lan Ha Bay departures typically use Gia Luận port on Cát Bà Island — you reach Cát Bà via ferry or cable car from Hải Phòng.

Rules and exceptions that change the visit

• Operating hours change by season. Summer (April 1–October 31): departures from 05:00, latest return by 20:00. Winter (November 1–March 31): departures from 05:30, latest return by 19:00. Attractions open 07:30–17:30 in summer and 07:30–17:00 in winter.
• Overnight cruises have a maximum stay limit of two nights (48 hours) from departure time.
• Typhoon season (June–August) can cancel cruises. The Management Board may suspend all boat operations during severe weather. If you book during these months, choose a cruise with a clear refund or rescheduling policy.
• Children and residents: The official fee table lists categories for residents with ID cards. Foreign visitors pay the full entry fee regardless of age unless a tour operator offers a child discount on the cruise fare itself.
• The entry fee is paid per person per visit. If you take a day cruise and later decide to add an overnight trip, you pay the overnight fee separately — the day fee does not count as a credit.
• Kayak and cave add-ons: Some route packages include kayaking or additional cave stops in the cruise fare, others charge extra. Confirm with your operator which activities are included and whether they require a separate route fee.

Common booking mistakes

• Booking a cruise before checking the port: A Ha Long Bay cruise and a Lan Ha Bay cruise depart from different ports, up to 50 km apart. Confirm the departure port and address in your booking voucher.
• Missing the environmental fee in your cost estimate: The entry fee (70,000–750,000 VND) is mandatory and often not included in the advertised cruise price. Factor it into your total.
• Showing up at the port without a booking: Same-day walk-up tickets exist at Tuần Châu for day cruises, but boat availability and route choice are limited. Overnight cruises almost always require advance booking.
• Buying the cheapest cruise without checking what is included: Cut-rate day cruises may skip cave entrances, serve a minimal lunch, or use boats that leave late and return early. Read recent reviews and verify the route number.
• Assuming all three bays are interchangeable: A Ha Long Bay booking does not cover Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long. Each bay has separate entry fees and departure ports. If you want Lan Ha Bay, book a cruise that explicitly says Lan Ha Bay — not just "Ha Long Bay area."

What to check before you go

• Check the official Ha Long Bay Management Board website (halongbay.com.vn) for any fee or route changes.
• Verify your cruise departure port, boarding time, and included activities with the operator 24 hours before departure.
• During June–August, monitor weather forecasts and message your cruise operator about cancellation and rescheduling terms.
• Carry your passport — cruise operators and port staff may require it for registration.
• Bring enough VND cash. Port ticket counters and smaller operators may not accept foreign cards.
• Pack sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a light rain jacket regardless of season. December–March mornings on the water are cooler than Hanoi.

Sources

• Ha Long Bay Management Board — Official sightseeing fee rates: https://halongbay.com.vn/p/58-muc-phi-tham-quan-vinh-ha-long
• Ha Long Bay Management Board — Operating hours and visitor times: https://halongbay.com.vn/c/thoi-gian-on-khach-tham-quan
• UNESCO — Ha Long Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage listing: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/672/
• Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — Ha Long Bay destination overview: https://vietnam.travel/places-to-go/northern-vietnam/ha-long
• Quảng Ninh Province Tourism Portal — Official tourism information: https://dulich.quangninh.gov.vn