Lan Ha & Halong Bay Cruises

You do need a visa to enter Vietnam. Subject to your nationality and having the requisite forms filled in in advance and “approval letter” issued, you may be able to obtain an e-Visa or visa on arrival. Your passport will need to have more than 6 months to expiry date left in order to get a visa.

Please note that the e-Visa and visa on arrival are not valid if you are entering the country by river cruise from Cambodia – in this case you need to have the visa stamped in your passport before travel.

You should be vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A. Depending on where you are staying, you may also need to be vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, or rabies. Be sure to see your doctor about a month before your trip for the latest recommendations and requirements.

Some doctors recommend that visitors start taking malaria tablets before entering Vietnam, but it is not a very common practice.

Halong Bay is an unmissable experience in and of itself, with many great places to visit. But the most intriguing of all Halong Bay attractions are the caves, with Sung Sot cave undoubtedly the most impressive with its huge chambers, stalactites and stalagmites and amazing stone formations.

Caves are well prepared for tourists and you only need a basic level of fitness to explore them. Check your Halong Bay cruise itinerary for the caves visited.

Halong Bay is renowned for its local cuisine. Unsurprisingly, much of this includes fresh seafood and shellfish. You can find fresh squid, crab, clams, and even sea worms called sipunculus. You may also want to try the local special wine made from fermented rice.

Both Halong Bay and its nearby namesake city are tourist hubs and generally very safe. Halong Bay is one of the best places to swim in Vietnam thanks to the very calm waters which also makes boating and kayaking popular. Be aware that the water can get cold at the cooler times of the year.

The best time of the year to go to Halong Bay are the dry and temperate seasons between September and November, and March and May. Avoid May and August when hurricanes occasionally affect the area. This is also the time when many cruises are unavailable as boats take time off for maintenance.

If you are considering a Halong bay cruise please check your desired boat’s schedule with your agent to avoid disappointment.

There are many great family activities in Halong Bay. Between the opportunities for boating, swimming, and exploring, there are no end of things to do. There are also many resorts and hotels in the area that cater to families and tourists.

When planning a Halong Bay cruise, please check with your agent as some boats don’t allow toddlers onboard.

If you enjoy outdoor exploration and spending time on the beach, Halong Bay could be a perfect honeymoon destination. There are some very luxurious honeymoon cruises available and sunsets in the bay are very romantic, especially from a private jacuzzi or your very own terrace!

The cost of a Halong Bay cruise typically depends on itinerary length, boat comfort level and cabin category, although seasonal and single supplements may also apply. More luxurious overnight cruises of 2 days cost between $150 – $300 pp, and longer cruises of 3 days from $300 – $700 pp based on double occupancy.

To help reduce the cost of your overnight cruise, keep apprised of the latest Halong Bay cruise deals, or if traveling with a group, you may like to consider a Halong Bay private cruise charter, which can actually work out cheaper per person if your group fills the boat. Alternatively, you could consider only doing a day cruise in Halong Bay.