Kayak Halong Bay Vietnam

Hanoi to Halong Bay

Halong Bay’s sister cities of Bai Chay and Hon Gai are about 165 kilometers northeast of Hanoi. The repaving of Highway 18 (and the redesign of Highway 5) has cut a full 90 minutes off what was formerly a 3-4-hour trip from Hanoi. At present, the most convenient route from Hanoi to Halong Bay is via Bac Ninh:

Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Pha Lai – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Halong (At 155km, this is the shortest route to Halong)
• Hanoi – Bac Ninh: 30km
• Bac Ninh – Pha Lai: 25km
• Pha Lai – Dong Trieu: 30km
• Dong Trieu – Uong Bi: 30km
• Uong Bi – Halong: 40km

However, other routes are possible:

Hanoi – Hai Duong – Sao Do – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Bai Chay (170km)
• Hanoi – Hai Duong: 55km
• Hai Duong – Sao Do: 25km
• Sao Do – Dong Trieu: 20km
• Dong Trieu – Uong Bi: 30km
• Uong Bi – Bai Chay: 40km

Hanoi – Hai Duong – Hai Phong – Halong (163km)
• Hanoi – Hai Duong: 55km
• Hai Duong – Hai Phong: 48km
• Hai Phong – Quang Yen : 20km
• Quang Yen – Halong : 40km

Hanoi – Lai Khe – Kim Mon – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Bai Chay, Halong (163km – the journey involves crossings on the May and Trieu vehicle ferry)
• Hanoi – Phu Luong Bridge – Lai Khe: 68km
• Lai Khe – Kim Mon – May, Trieu Ferry – Dong Trieu: 25km
• Dong Trieu – Uong Bi: 30km
• Uong Bi – Bai Chay, Halong: 40km

If you’re really in a rush, skip the road and go by Russian-built MI-8 helicopter!

Minibus
The most expedient way of reaching Halong is to purchase an overnight trip from one of our packages. Better yet book one of the sea kayaking trips!

But for those who prefer to steer their own course, take a bus leaving Hanoi for Halong at Gia Lam Bus Station, and to Hanoi from Bai Chay Bus Station, at intervals of 20 minutes. Tickets cost VND 50,000 – 3.5 hours) at the ticket offices inside the station. It is unwise either to buy tickets from touts, or to board unlicensed buses outside the station

Car
Independent travelers can arrange their own transportation. For the round trip, expect to pay US$100-$150. You’ll also have to book your own boat in Halong Bay.

Motorcycle
A more adventurous option is to hire a motorbike and cruise out to the bay yourself. Small motorbikes can be rented in Hanoi. Try the Memory Cafe (33b Tran Hung Dao Street; tel: 04.8265854) or the Mai Linh Cafe (22 Cau Go; tel: 04.8244554).

Helicopter
If you have more money than time, or prefer a double shot of adventure, go by helicopter. Helicopter service aboard Russian-built MI-8 or MI-17 helicopters is offered on Saturday only. You depart at 8 a.m. from Gia Lam Heliport, about 15 km from center of Hanoi. Free transportation to Gia Lam Heliport from the Metropole Hotel departs at 7:15 a.m. The return flight is at 3 p.m. the same day. A ticket will set you back US$195 per person. Children under 6 pay half. The same helicopters can be privately chartered for US$2000 an hour.

A ground package to visit Halong Bay by boat is as 4-hour Halong Bay Cruise

Contact Northern Flight Services Company (182 Truong Chinh Road; tel: 84-4-852-3451 or at Gia Lam Airport, tel: 84-4-877-1410). There must be a minimum of 10 passengers to make the trip. Confirm your trip by the Wednesday prior.

Hanoi to Hai Phong City

Travelers can reach Hai Phong via Highway No.5.

Bus
Book any our departures from Hanoi to get Hai Phong or take buses from Luong Yen or Gia Lam Bus Station to Hai Phong. They depart every 10 minutes from 6.00am to 9.00pm daily (the latest at Luong Yen Bus Station. Gia Lam is closed at 8.00pm). Ticket costs VND 45,000 per person (departing at Gia Lam) or VND 50,000 (departing at Luong Yen) and takes about 2 hours.

Motorbike
Take bikes from one of two above addresses then drive Hai Phong along Highway No.5. This is more adventurous but NOT recommended as it’s one of the biggest and busiest roads in the country (more accident daily).

Related posts:

1. Kayak Halong Bay & Trek Cat Ba National Park
2. Trek Cat Ba National Park and Kayak Lan Ha Bay & Halong Bay