How many days in Halong Bay: Suggested itineraries with tips

 

Many tourists struggle with deciding how many days to spend in Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.

In this article, we’ll look at 3 standards Halong Bay itineraries: 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days, as well as their pros and cons.

In a nutshell:

1 days is perfect for people with limited time. It’s might be quite exausted due to long time traveling between places.

2 days is a perfect balance & the most popular options.

3 days give you a complete look about Halong Bay: It’s rural area & vibrant cultural life.

 

 

1 Day in Halong Bay

 

So we have good news for travelers with limited time. Halong Bay do available for a day trip and we could easily explore a large part of Halong in just 1 day.

It does, however, have pros and cons. Consider the “do” and “don’t” of one-day trip options below:

 

Pros and Cons of a 1 Day Trip

 

Pros: Day tours to Halong Bay are perfect for those with limited time or a tight budget. With a day, you have 4 to 6 hours on board to see the several famous attractions of Halong Bay, such as Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, and Luon Cave.

There are many activities you could do within only a day, such as kayaking, swimming, and visiting a pearl farm.

These day trips also tend to be far less expensive than other itineraries, with prices ranging from 45USD to 85USD per person, including meals, transportation, entrance tickets, and activities.

 

Cons:

– One day at Halong Bay may not be an appealing choice for travelers who do not travel frequently. If you leave from Hanoi, it will take at least 3 hours to get there, that call for you to spend at least 6 hours on a shuttle round trip. Even though these shuttles generally go on the new and modern expressway (5B), they nevertheless take a long time.

– The time spent on the bay is another factor that you should consider when visiting Halong Bay in a day. You’ll only have 4 to 6 hours. Even though it covers a lot of places and activities, you may feel rushed at times.

 

Standard Itinerary for 1 day in Halong Bay

 

If you decide to take a one-day trip to Halong Bay, take a look at the standard itinerary to help you make the most of your time here:

• 8:30: Get picked up by the bus
• 12:00 Arrive Tuan Chau Marina
• 12:30 Having lunch on board
• 14:00 Visiting Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave)
• 15:00 Visiting Ti Top Island
• 16:30 Come back to the cruise for Tea Party
• 18:00 Back to the port, catching bus back to Hanoi.
• 21:00 Arrive Hanoi. Tour end.

 

2 Days in Halong Bay

 

If time is not an issue, we strongly advise you to spend at least 2 days at Halong Bay.

 

Pros & Cons of a 2 days and 1 night trip

 

A two-day trip to Halong Bay gives you the chance to see more of the bay’s attractions and activities. It could help you explore further places where a 1-day trip couldn’t go, such as Luon Cave, Tra Bau Area, or Lan Ha Bay.

Besides the fact that you’d cover more places in 2 days (of course!), this itinerary gives you more time to relax on the bay. You won’t have to travel right back to Hanoi after a long 3 hours on the bus.

Traveling on a 2-day trip would also give you a chance to sleep overnight on a cruise, which would be a romantic and memorable experience.

When it comes to the question of how many days to spend in Halong Bay, 2 days is the most popular option.

Cons: It costs more than a day trip, with price ranges ranging from 100 USD to 200 USD depending on the trip categories you take.

Standard Itinerary for a 2 days Trip

 

Here’s the standard itinerary of 2 days in Halong Bay:

Day 1:

• 8:00 AM – Get picked up by the bus. Depart from Hanoi to Halong Bay
• 12:00 PM – Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. Boarding the cruise.
• 12:30 PM – Lunch
• 1:30 PM – Visit Sung Sot Cave
• 3:00 PM – Kayak or swim in Titop Island and surroundings.
• 5:00 PM – Return to the boat and enjoy sunset views
• 7:00 PM – Dinner

 

Day 2:

• 6:30 AM – Join a Tai Chi. Sunrise hunting.
• 7:00 AM – Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – Explore Luon Cave by kayaking.
• 11:00 AM – Return to the boat and check out
• 12:00 PM – Have lunch on the boat while cruising back to the pier. Get on the bus
• 15::00 PM – Arrive in Hanoi. Tour end.

More at: Halong Bay Cruise Prices: Detailed guide to avoid overpaying

Best Halong Bay 2 days cruises

 

 

3 Days in Halong Bay

 

Why 3 days

 

People who want to appreciate and explore Halong Bay more may find that a two-day vacation is insufficient. Then 3 days are added, making it easier than ever to visit rural and off-the-beaten-path Halong.

The activities during your 3 days trip may not be too different from others itinearies. For example, fishing and swimming are still common things to do. But it’s where you’re going to do it that will make the three days worthwhile.

 With 3 days, you’ll be transferred to a small day cruise and then visit the deepest part of Halong Bay, which has yet to be overrun by tourists.

You’ll also be able to undertake some extra inland activities, such as cycling on Viet Hai Island, or stop by a fishing village and learn about local ways of life. It will give you a different perspective on Halong Bay, not only its amazing natural beauty, but also the vibrant life of the community that lives surrounding it.

That being said, 3 days in Halong Bay is a great amount of time to explore this beautiful destination at fullest. 

However, keep in mind that a 3 day trip will cost approximately twice as much as 2 days.

Take a look at our best 12 Halong Bay 2 night cruise here: 12 Top Halong Bay 2 night cruise recommendations in 2023 (with guide)

Standard Itinerary for a 3 days Trip

 

If you decide to take a 3 trip to Halong Bay, here’s a sample itinerary to help you plan your trip:

Day 1:

• 8:00 AM – Depart for Halong Bay
• 12:00 PM – Boarding the boat at Tuan Chau Marina.
• 12:30 PM – Lunch
• 1:30 PM –  Visit Sung Sot Cave & TiTop Island.
• 5:00 PM – Return to the boat and enjoy sunset party.
• 7:00 PM – Dinner

 

Day 2:

• 6:30 AM – Wake up
• 7:00 AM – Enjoy breakfast
• 9:00 AM – Transfer to a smaller boat to explore Viet Hai Village
• 11:00 AM – Cycling in Cat Ba island
• 12:00 PM – Lunch time with local.
• 2:00 PM – Come back to the main cruise
• 7:00 PM – Dinner time

Day 3:

• 6:30 AM – Join a Tai Chi. Sunrise hunting.
• 7:00 AM – Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – Explore Luon Cave by kayaking.
• 11:00 AM – Return to the boat and check out
• 12:00 PM – Have lunch on the boat while cruising back to the pier. Get on the bus
• 15::00 PM – Arrive in Hanoi. Tour end.

Collections of Halong Bay 3 days Cruises

 

Conclusion

 

How many days you spend in Halong Bay varies on how you like to travel and what you want to do. 1 day is good for people who don’t have much time or money, while 2 days lets you see Halong Bay in different times. A 3 days trip is more immersive and gives you the chance to visit more remote areas and do cultural activities.

 

Hope that this article could help you make your decision on deciding how many days you should be in Halong Bay. If you have any others questions, do not hesitate to contact us!

 

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