Halong Bay 1 Day Tour - Top Cruises & Must-See Highlights 2025

Halong Bay is that magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam, super renowned for its handsome emerald waters and a lot of towering limestone islands covered in lush greenery. While longer-length cruises are very popular, if you do not have enough time, you definitely can take a one-day tour.

Either you can book a Ha Long bay tour from Hanoi or if you are already in Ha Long town on your own, you can book a cruise yourself.

This guide will break down what to expect on a tour of Halong Bay in a day to ensure you have an amazing time and still save money!

Transport: Hanoi to Halong (shuttle, private, bus)

The full-day excursion usually commences with early morning pickups in Hanoi to head to Ha Long Bay. Full activity tours will fill the day with cave explorations, kayaking or bamboo boating, island hiking, and finally cruising by boat in the tranquil waters.

If you are staying in Halong town, then your tour operator will pick you up directly from your hotel / homestay.

Note - Due to the last year Yagi typhoon in September 2024, water in Ha Long bay has become a bit muddy but as of writing this article, the bay is open and operations are ongoing to clean it.

Highlights:

• Cruise around and enjoy the stunning scenery in Ha Long Bay: limestone and waters.

• Cave Exploration: The Thien Cung or Sung Sot Caves are excellent options; both are full of some outstanding stalactites and stalagmites. They are pretty but personally we feel it's way too commercialised. If you want to have a true cave experience as a traveler (not a tourist), head to Phong Nha!

• Kayaking or Bamboo Boating: Guests will only be paddled through the Luon Cave to get super close to the cool limestone formations. This was personally the best activity for us on the whole tour because it actually feels like an adventure when you are actually doing an activity by yourself (:
  It's quite safe as you kayak in calm waters and also get life jackets of good quality. Just be careful and mind your head when you are kayaking under a cave, that’s the only time we felt we had to be watchful!

• Hike and Astonishing Views: Head to Titop Island with breathtaking views of the bay. If you are planning to hike, always opt for early morning or late evening tours otherwise it can get pretty hard in the harsh sun during the day.

• Seafood lunch on board: Enjoy fresh local grub amidst beautiful green waters everywhere. Most tours have food included in the tour package but still you should check at the time of booking to avoid any surprises (extra charges).

One Day Itinerary

7:30-8:00 am: Early morning pick-up at Hanoi Hotel, head to Halong Bay.

Depart from Tuan Chau Harbour: board the cruise for 4 to 8 hours depending on the tour package.
Lunch Onboard: Savor fresh seafood at a buffet amid unparalleled views.

Discover Attractions:

• Surprise Cave - Sung Sot Cave: It is the greatest and the nicest cave in Halong Bay. Again a bit touristy and crowded during peak day times. Try to catch an early tour or travel in off-season if you really want to avoid the crowded places.

• Titop Island: You can relax on the beach or hike up to the top for a great overview.

• The water sports: kayaking, or having a bamboo-boat trip to Luon Cave.

• Travel to Hanoi: Arrive around 4:30 pm, and then head for an evening tour around Hanoi.

Types of Cruises

• Luxury Cruises
  Offers spacious sundecks, gourmet meals, and extra luxury amenities.
  The popular options include Ambassador Day Cruise, Amethyst Cruise, Dream cruises.

Note: Luxury cruises come in 3, 4 and 5 stars and each one has extra amenities over the lower star option. Major differences between 4 and 5 star cruises are Buffet and personal dining options. In a 4 star cruise you can only get a buffet option. But both would have a common Jacuzzi on the deck!

• Regular Cruises:
  It is cheap, with basic things and fixed menus.
  Great for budget-conscious travelers.

• Family Cruises:

Made for comfort with stuff you can do at any age.

Example: Cozy Cruise.

Insider Tips

• Make an early booking because during peak seasons, it really gets very busy in spring and autumn.

• Pack light with the essentials being sunscreen, shades, and a camera. Try to get a water resistant sunscreen if you can.

• Comfortable climbing and cave exploring shoes.

• Bring Cash: For tips and activity options. Yep, cash is king on the boat!

Price and Reservation

Prices depend on a category of cruise and length:

• Standard Packages: $35–$50 per head.

• Luxury packages: $70–$100+ per person. Most tours offer round-trip transportation from Hanoi, in addition to food and activities like kayaking.
  
  If you are already in Halong town without a tour, just head to Tuan Chau Port by Grab taxi to book a tour Or you can ask your hotel to book a tour for you which we personally found a better option as they have better contacts with local tour operators and therefore get a better deal too.
  If you are staying in the area and have more time, then get a motorbike on rent (cost ~ $6) and browse around Bai Chay beach (google maps link) and do parasailing, banana boat activities or just chill on the beach!

Is it worth taking the whole day for?

Of course, because the one-day tour, though short, englobes a wide range of experiences around Halong Bay and thus fits well for those on strict time.

FAQs

1. Best time to visit Ha Long Bay?
   Good months: March to May, September to November. The weather is good; there is no rough sea.

2. What to wear on the tour?
   Light weight dress, hat and comfortable walking shoes; during winter months, bring a light jacket.

3. Are day tours great for families?
   Sure, many tours offer children-friendly, safe, and fun activities.

4. Can I change the itinerary?
   You can fully personalize the private ones, while group tours have fixed schedules.

5. Is kayaking safe for beginners?
   Absolutely! The guides will go through all the safety stuff with you and prepare life jackets. Just mind your head when kayaking under a cave!

6. What language do the guides speak?
   Most of them are quite fluent in both English and Vietnamese. But do check in advance when booking the tour as some tours are mainly for local people and the guide might not be willing or can’t speak English.

7. Should I do Lan Ha Bay or Ha Long bay tour?
   Short answer: Lan Ha is less crowded and often cleaner; choose it if you want fewer tourists.
   
   If you are a social butterfly or just want to have more things to do then opt for Ha Long bay as they are more touristy and have way more activities to do. And a higher number of boats too.
   If you are someone who likes to relax more, enjoy the scenery in peace and want to enjoy a nice peaceful dinner on the boat without too much of a crowd in the bay, then definitely choose Lan Ha Bay.
   Additionally from what we have seen, Lan Ha bay waters are cleaner too comparatively!

8. Can you see Halong Bay in one day?
   Yes, you’ll see highlights but consider an overnight if you want calm waters & sunset.
   
   
9. How long is the transfer from Hanoi?
   2 to 3.5 hours depending on transport and traffic.