Hạ Long Bay Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Thomas Hirsch / User:Ravn (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; 落山風, Dragutin HEGIC, Maxim Esaulov, Trung Nguyen, Saraipara Ideal School & College · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Vietnam
- Region:
- Asia & Far East
- Coordinates:
- 20.9000° N, 107.2000° E
About Hạ Long Bay
Hạ Long Bay stands among Asia's most distinctive cruise destinations, alongside ports such as Bangkok, Bali and Colombo. Located in Northeastern Vietnam and administered by the city of Quảng Ninh, the bay's name means "descending dragon" — a reference to the dramatic landscape that defines it.
The bay is renowned for its thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes. This geological wonder earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has made it a popular travel destination. The area also encompasses Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast and Cát Bà Island to the southwest, which share similar geological, geographical and cultural characteristics.
Things to do at Hạ Long Bay
Shore excursions offer a range of activities. Visit Dau Go Cave (rated 4.6 by 1,560 reviewers) or Động Thiên Cung (4.4 stars from 792 reviews). Hon Gai beach is a popular tourist attraction with a 4.5 rating from 1,653 reviews. For those seeking active pursuits, Sun World Halong Park offers sports activities and is rated 4.4 by 3,976 reviewers. Ocean Park and the Old Bai Chay Lighthouse provide additional options for exploration.
Hạ Long Bay or Halong Bay is a bay located in Northeastern Vietnam, administered by the city of Quảng Ninh. The name Hạ Long means "descending dragon". It features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes, for which it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular travel destination. The bay is also part of a larger area that includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast and Cát Bà Island to the southwest. These zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climatic, and cultural characteristics.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Hạ Long Bay on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: 王勝順 · via Google Maps Sports Activity Location
Sun World Halong Park
4.4 (3,976) 16.8 km from port
Popular theme park with rides like a roller coaster & bi-level merry-go-round, plus a water park.
Near: Bikini Hạ Long - chuyên bán và cho thuê đồ bơi, váy maxi (42 m) · Central Ha Long Hotel and Travel (62 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “This should definitly be on your list to visit when in Vietenam. Tickets are really affordable. This place was so…” — Abhiraj Gupta
- 5 · “Rode the cable car to Sun World for 300,000 VND. It’s about a 15 minute drive ride. And the cable…” — Erin Duffy
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Photo: Khoan Lang · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Hon Gai beach
4.5 (1,653) 8.4 km from port
Near: Minh phong hotel (108 m) · KHÁCH SẠN HOÀNG PHÚ GIA (200 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
- 5 · “Absolutely Gorgeous. Empty. Not Swimable unless in a diving/hazmat protective suit but very pretty.” — Leo
- 5 · “Nice beach, much better than the one in the city. Fresh water, clean and not that crowded. Locker was free…” — КРИСТИНА РАДЧЕНКО
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Photo: NHA KHOA THẢO CHI · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Dau Go Cave
4.6 (1,560) 18.9 km from port
Guided tours of a limestone cave with colorfully illuminated stalactites & stalagmites.
Near: Động Thiên Cung (223 m)
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Cave was awesome. Every few steps gives a whole new perspective on the whole cave. Use of natural lighting made…” — Tampa's Reliable Foodie
- 5 · “Beautiful and breathtaking view, I really like it. Very worth it to visit! 😍” — Intan Fashri
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Photo: Pedromolina molina · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Bài Thơ Mountain
4.2 (932) 13.7 km from port
Cliffside carvings of 15th-century poetry on a massive, tree-topped outcrop overlooking Ha Long Bay.
Near: International Bank - VIB Quang Ninh (28 m) · Thuy Nga Hotel- Tran Gia Development and Trading Investment JSC (90 m)
- 5 · “Definitely worth the climb and the fee that the lady is asking to let you through her house to the…” — Uvis
- 5 · “Reached the mountain peak, With time to sit and ponder, That the climb is not for the weak, The reward…” — Charles Hunter
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Tourist attraction
Động Thiên Cung
4.4 (792) 19.0 km from port
Sprawling natural grotto with intricate stalactite & stalagmite formations & colorful lighting.
Near: Dau Go Cave (223 m)
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
- 5 · “✨ THIEN CUNG CAVE – A MASTERPIECE OF NATURE IN HA LONG BAY 🇻🇳 Today, I had the opportunity to…” — Tran Duy
- 5 · “Often called the most accessible and senior friendly large cave in Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung Cave , also called…” — Arun Gupta
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Park and Garden
Ocean Park
4.4 (553) 17.5 km from port
Near: GIANG HẢI MINH HOTEL Hạ Long (21 m) · Nhà Hàng Hồng Hạnh, Hải Sản Tươi Sống Cơm Gia Đình (62 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
Opening hours
- Monday: 2:00 – 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 2:00 – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 2:00 – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 2:00 – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 2:00 – 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “Big, has all kinds of entertainment, publicly free to enter” — exe
- 5 · “Very good” — TUANKIM9931 NGUYEN
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Tourist attraction
Old Bai Chay Lighthouse
4.5 (461) 15.9 km from port
Near: Bai Chay old ferry terminal (53 m) · Wyndham Legend Halong Hotel (96 m)
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Nice stop to see the Bai Chay bridge, the lake, Cap Treo Nu Hoang. Many buses come here for there…” — Ni N.
- 4 · “Just an old, freshly painted lighthouse.” — Roman Kasparyan
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Tourist attraction
Bai Chay Lighthouse
4.4 (160) 15.9 km from port
Near: BRUNCH by ZEBRA (60 m) · Zebra Bar (61 m)
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “🌈We had an amazing experience with this lighthouse. First, we just wanna watch fireworks 🎇 but it turns out we…” — Thuha Ng
- 5 · “😍” — Deniss R
Map of Hạ Long Bay and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Hạ Long Bay
Cruises to Asia & Far East mostly sail november to March.
- Jan
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Cruises calling at Hạ Long Bay
Deals update daily — see all Asia & Far East cruises.
