how to see halong bay from hanoi, How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi?

What is there to do in Halong Bay?

There are several ways to reach Halong Bay from Hanoi:

1. Day Trip: Day trip packages are available for most countries embarking in Hanoi to Halong Bay. Very general, however, is for transportation to and from the bay, at least by bus or minivan, a cruise around that bay, and some lunch on board. From Hanoi it usually takes about 3-4 hours in both directions, thus making for an extended day, but an excellent option for short-time visitors.

2. Overnight Cruise: Overnight cruising will let you soak into the glamour of the Bay; you could kayak, explore caves, or savor the sunset. Cruises vary from budget, single-deck boats, up to luxury cruising yachts. Most of the cruises pick you from your hotel and transport you to Halong Bay.

3. Private Transfer and Tour: Take a private car and a driver to Halong Bay; if you would like a way to go with a more customized experience, in this way, your time would be flexible, and you would stop by a few noteworthy places on the way. Thereafter, you will join in a cruise or hire a private boat into Halong Bay.

4. Seaplane: Flying from Hanoi to Halong Bay in a seaplane permits a special taste of travel. Quite a bit more expensive, sea plane flights offer aerial views of the bay and other landscapes around it. The flight lasts for about 45 minutes and can be combined with a cruise or day trip.

In general, you should aim to be visiting Halong Bay during the dry season, which runs from October up to April, should the weather appeal.

Night Cruises: With the sun setting after a day of listening to locals share their culture, you may want to enjoy the beauty around Halong Bay. Several cruises offer some night cruises, where you could gaze at the star-studded sky, hear local tales, and revel in delicious food and drinks-with twinkling ocean lights shimmering in the background.

Scenery: Enjoy from the deck or balcony the sight of the island, the scoops, and mangroves. Several cruise ships offer many floors, boasting windows providing aerial view panoramas of the bay and beyond.

Private Bays and Islets: Intending for more privacy and exclusivity, many Halong Bay cruises will allow their guests to enjoy private bays and islets for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.

If you visit Hanoi, do join a group tour. Many tour operators in Hanoi run packages of 1-3 days that allow visiting Halong Bay. These are some wonderful tours that typically include round-trip transfer by bus or minivan, overnight stay on a cruise ship or in a hotel, and plenty of sightseeing, including kayaking and cave explorations.

For more flexibility, renting a private car may be an option, biking or mega-vanning with other travelers, which gives you the greatest flexibility over your schedule. The road trip can be done anywhere between 3-4 hours based on the number of stops the driver may have to make.

Traveling by public transport: For budget-conscious choices, catch one local bus from Hanoi's My Dinh Bus Station to Halong City. Buses are frequent and take around 4-5 hours. From Halong City, you'll need to replace a transfer to the harbor for a cruise or book the room in one of the nearby hotels.