If you are looking for where to stay in Halong Bay, you’re in the right place. In this article, I will help you to find the best places to stay in Halong Bay including recommended areas, hotels, and overnight cruises.
Halong Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the must-see attractions in Vietnam. There are many ways to explore the bay including taking cruises or staying on an island of the bay.
Taking an overnight cruise on Halong Bay is the most popular option but it can be expensive. If you are on budget, you can consider staying in Halong City or Cat Ba island, then day cruise to the bay.
Where to stay in Halong Bay?
In my opinion, there are the three main best places to stay in Halong Bay. You can:
- Stay at the hotel on the mainland of Halong Bay, in the Halong City or Bai Chay area.
- Stay on an overnight cruise on either Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, or Bai Tu Long Bay.
- Stay on an island of Halong Bay such as Cat Ba island, Co To, or Quan Lan island.
Most visitors will choose to take a 1-night or 2-nights cruise to explore Halong Bay. They will be transferred directly from Hanoi to the Halong port and onboard on cruise to explore either Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, or Lan Ha Bay.
All of these three bays are basically part of the world heritage site Halong Bay complex. Halong Bay is located in the center and is the most famous bay where you can see well-known attractions such as Ti Top island, Sung Sot Cave, and Luon Cave.
Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay are the extensions of Halong, having similar landscape but offering quieter atmosphere and cleaner water. If you want a relaxing cruise and less-touristy bay, I recommend taking a cruise on Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay.
In addition to staying on an overnight cruise, which is usually expensive, you can consider staying in Halong City and take a day cruise to explore Halong Bay. This is the favorite way to explore Halong Bay for domestic travelers. They can explore both the mainland and the bay while saving money.
Other best place to stay in Halong Bay is Cat Ba island. Many visitors will choose to stay here and take a day cruise to Lan Ha Bay. This is a very budget-friendly way to explore Halong Bay. Cat Ba is also an interesting island with many things to do and see such as national parks, caves, and beaches.
The 5 Best areas to stay in Halong Bay (Top places and cruises)
1. Bai Chay and Halong City, best area to stay in mainland for first-timers
Staying inland in Halong City is one of the best ways to explore Halong Bay, especially for budget-conscious travelers. You can explore local life and visit some attractions in the mainland such as Quang Ninh Museum and Ha Long Market before exploring the bay on a day cruise.
The downside of staying in Halong Bay is that there is nothing much to do here. It is best suited to stay if you want to do a day cruise and want to have a break before the cruise. This is because if you directly do Halong Bay day trips from Hanoi, you’ll spend lots of time traveling on the road between two cities.
The total time traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, and from Halong Bay back to Hanoi is around 5 hours on the Expressway. If your driver takes the non-express way it will be around 6-7 hours in total. Then you’ll have 4-6 hours on the cruise. Your Day Trip to Halong Bay is gonna be exhausting!
Popular areas to stay in Halong City are the Bai Chay and Hon Gai area. Famous places to visit here include Bai Chay Beach, Bai Chay Bridge, Sun World Halong Complex, and Bai Tho Mountain.
Halong City has many hotels, guest houses, and resorts for all budgets. Here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in Halong City and Bai Chay area:
Wyndham Legend Halong Hotel. This is a luxury hotel located on Bai Chay ward, very close to the cruise port and Bai Chay bridge, offering stunning views of the ocean and the bridge. It has multiple pools, a gym, and spacious rooms with comfortable beds.
Vinpearl Resort and Spa Ha Long. Vinpearl is a popular and luxury resort, located on a private island called Reu Island in Bai Chay. It has several private beaches, pools, tennis courts, and a kids playground. If you have a good budget, Vinpearl Resort is a perfect place to stay in Halong for couples and families.
Novotel Ha Long Bay. This is a popular 4-star hotel in Bai Chay ward, very close to Sun park and Halong International Cruise Port. If you just want a good night’s sleep before a day cruise, this is a good choice. If you want a quiet stay, you can ask for a room away from the nightclub on the beach.
2. Halong Bay, the most popular area for overnight cruises
Halong Bay is the most popular area to stay in Halong Bay for both overnight cruises and day cruises. This Bay is the best route for those who want to see famous attractions such as Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, Cua Van floating market, and Luon Cave.
The downside of taking an overnight cruise on Halong Bay is it is very touristy and crowded. It is the best route if you don’t mind the crowd while visiting caves, floating villages, and beaches.
Due to its popularity, Halong Bay has many cruise companies operating in this route. You’ll have many choices to choose from budget-friendly to luxury cruises.
My recommendations for the best cruise on Halong Bay:
Paradise Elegance Cruise. Paradise is a luxury cruise, offering 2-days and 3-days cruise packages. It departs from Tuan Chau island and will take you to explore famous attractions in Halong Bay. The cruise will stop at Titov island, Surprise Cave, and Luon Cave. You can enjoy activities such as swimming, kayaking, cooking demonstrations, and hiking.
Athena Luxury Cruise. Athena is one of the best places to stay in Halong Bay for an overnight cruise. This cruise departs at Halong International Cruise Port and will take you to Sung Sot Cave, Me Cung Cave, Luon Cave for kayaking, and Titov Island for swimming and hiking to the top.
3. Lan Ha Bay, the best area for a quiet and less touristy overnight cruises
Lan Ha Bay is an extension of Halong Bay, located just south of Halong Bay and very close to Cat Ba island. Lan Bay is the best bay for those who want a less tourist area with more pristine beaches.
Similar to taking a Halong Bay cruise, you’ll see caves, beaches, islands, floating villages when taking a cruise on Lan Ha Bay. You’ll have the same activities on cruise such as Tai Chi Class, cooking class, swimming, kayaking, squid fishing, and hiking.
Popular stops on the Lan Ha Bay cruise include Viet Hai village/ Cat Ba island, Dark-Bright Cave, Van Boi Beach, Ba Trai Dao Beach, and Cai Beo fishing village.
Some of the best cruises on Lan Ha Bay:
Peony Cruise. Peony is one of the best mid-range cruises in Lan Ha Bay. This cruise will depart from Tuan Chau Marina, offering both 1-night and 2-night cruises. I recommend booking an additional transfer between Hanoi and the cruise port for your convenience. This cruise will take you to Tra Bau area, Trung Trang Cave, Viet Hai village, and Cat Ba island.
Stellar Of The Seas. Stellar is a 5-star luxury cruise that will take you to explore the beautiful and less tourist Lan Ha Bay. It has 22 spacious cabins, Mini-golf course, wine cellar, and an outdoor pool. You can choose a room that has a balcony and bathtub for more stunning views of the karts. Popular stops of this cruise include Dark & Bright Cave, Ao Ech area, and Viet Hai village on Cat Ba island.
4. Bai Tu Long Bay, the least touristy area for serene overnight cruises
Bai Tu Long Bay is an off the beaten path in Halong Bay complex. It is the biggest of three bays, located on the east side of Halong Bay. I highly recommend staying on cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay if you want a serene atmosphere, secluded beaches, and a less tourist crowd.
The cruise itinerary on Bai Tu Long Bay is quite similar with the one on Halong Bay and Lan ha Bay. You’ll explore caves, beaches, and fishing villages but in different and more quiet routes.
Most cruises on Bai Tu Long Bay will take you to Thien Canh Son cave, Ban Chan Beach, Cong Do, Cong Dam, and Vung Vieng Fishing Village.
Recommended cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay:
Dragon Legend Cruise. This cruise will depart to HaLong International Harbor, and take you to Bai Tu Long Bay. You will visit less-visited attractions such as Thien Canh Son Cave, Cap La island, ban Chan Beach, and Cong Do area. It has 24 cabins over 4 decks. Each room has a big window with a sea view.
Renea Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay. Renea is a great cruise to explore the off-the-beaten-track Bai Tu Long Bay. It has Triple and connecting cabins, which are perfect for families or groups of friends. The cruise will stop at places like Cap La island, Vung Vieng fishing village, Thien Canh Son cave, and Cong Do area.
5. Cat Ba island, best island to stay in Halong Bay for budget travelers
Cat Ba island is one of the best places to stay in Halong Bay, especially for budget travelers. This island has beautiful beaches, national parks, and lots of caves to explore. Additionally, you can find cheap day cruises from here to explore Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay.
You can easily get to Cat ba island from Hanoi by bus and ferry. You can explore the island by walking, renting a motorbike, or taking guided tours. The most convenient area to stay in Cat Ba is Cat Ba Town.
Some of the best hotels in Cat Ba island are:
See more:
- Best Time to visit Halong Bay
- The Best 3 Days 2 nights Halong Bay Cruise
- Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay
- How Many Days in Halong Bay is Enough?
These are my recommendations for the best places to stay in Halong Bay. There are Halong City, Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Cat Ba island. Taking an overnight cruise on Halong Bay is the most popular choice for many visitors. You can consider staying at a hotel on Halong Bay or Cat Ba island then take a day cruise to the bay.