In a survey of Singapore’s Changi Airport Corporation (CAG) in 2021, 90% of tourists being interviewed wanted to travel to Halong Bay, Vietnam. This comprehensive guide will suggest how to get from Singapore to Halong Bay.
Visa Requirements
If you’re a Singaporean citizen or your nationality is on this visa exemption list, you won’t need a visa to enter Vietnam with a stay under 30 consecutive days.
For other nationalities, a visa is mandatory. The best and easiest way to get one is apply for an e-visa through the Vietnam Immigration Official website. The cost would be about 25 USD per person, and it might take 5-7 working days for it to be completed. Approval letter is another option if you can’t wait for an evisa. Get one via a local agency (~SGD170) and you’re allowed to obtain On-Arrival-Visa at Vietnam’s border.
Travel Restriction
After May 2023, the Vietnam Tourism Board officially lifted all restrictions for Singaporeans to travel to Halong Bay as well as Vietnam. You won’t need any tests or vaccine proof regarding the COVID situation. Travel insurance is also not mandatory, but it’s advisable to have one.
Getting to Halong Bay from Singapore
Since Singapore and Halong Bay are oceans away, there’re only two ways to travel: either by flight or by cruise ship. The routes cover 3267 kilometers, with a travel time of about 4 hours, depending on how you choose to travel.
| Options | Estimated travel time | Estimated cost |
| Flights | 3 hours 20 minutes | SGD360 – SGD380 |
| Cruises | Up to 2 weeks | From SGD640 |
- Flights: Flying to Halong is the most popular option among Singaporean travelers. Though there’s no direct flight between Singapore and the bay, it’s easy to fly to Vietnam’s biggest airport, Noi Bai in Hanoi. From there, you could easily take an additional 2.5-hour bus ride to the bay. There are several flights per day operated by Scoot, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, or Air Asia. You could easily choose one from Google Flights.
- Cruises: A cruise direct to Halong from Singapore is loved by luxury travelers. However, it’s more like a stop-over at the bay only for 1 day or 2 days. Celebrities Cruises offers a variety of cruises departing from Singapore or Thailand.
Accommodation in Halong Bay
Typically, when thinking about Halong, taking an overnight cruise in the bay is probably the best idea. This unique experience will bring you a romantic night out among the stunning limestones and karst formations of the bay. These cruises also cover most of the major sights of Halong, along with plenty of activities on and off board, such as kayaking, swimming, or cooking classes. You could choose from budget, midrange, or luxury cruises with a choice of a 1-night or 2-night stay.
If you’re not inclined to stay on a boat, then Halong City is the perfect area for you. The city is home to various hotels, from budget local hostels to reputable brands like Mecure, Wyndham, or Novetel. It’s only 8 km from the bay, making it easy to take a taxi to the port, do a day cruise, and get back to the city at night.
Practical Tips
- The bay will request passport information to stay overnight. So, it’s advisable to have your passport or at least a copy with you. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the travel date.
- Halong Bay is in a calm area. However, it’s better to pack some pills just to avoid getting seasick or carsick along the way.
- Wear sporty clothes. To fully explore Halong, you might join a lot of sports activities like kayaking, hiking, or even biking. Bringing a long, light jacket should be a good idea.
- The best time to travel Halong for weather wise is from March to April. November and December is also a good period to get cool weather and little rain fall.
