By Evelyn Nguyen, Mar 21, 2025
Halong Bay is truly one of the most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, drawing nearly 60 million visitors over the past three decades. Its stunning natural beauty captivates everyone, enhanced by Quang Ninh Province’s impressive investment in infrastructure, a wide range of exciting tourism options, and great travel industry management.
With such a vibrant tourism scene, travelers have the delightful choice of discovering the highlights of Halong Bay or exploring its equally enchanting neighbor, Lan Ha Bay.
But which one should you choose? To help you decide which adventure is perfect for you, Halong Bay Cruise Trip, with its years of expertise in organizing Halong Bay tours, is here to walk you through the unique charm and allure of both breathtaking destinations.
Halong Bay Cruise Tour
What is Halong Bay known for? When it comes to Halong Bay, many visitors may not know that it is just one part of the Halong Bay World Heritage Site Complex. This vast complex consists of three small areas:
Lan Ha Bay is often called the bay near Halong Bay because visitors often have to go through Halong to get there. Most tours to explore Lan Ha start from Cat Ba Island or from Halong pier. Many itineraries combine both bays, allowing visitors to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Halong Bay while vibing in the tranquility of Lan Ha Bay.
If you like the hustle and bustle of many famous attractions, Halong Bay is the right choice. But if you love privacy and want to avoid the crowds, Lan Ha Bay is the ideal destination.
Lan Ha Bay Swimming Area
What is special about Halong Bay? Halong Bay is located entirely within the territory of Quang Ninh province, about 160 km (about 2.5 - 3 hours by car) from Hanoi. This is one of the most famous destinations in Vietnam, with the core Halong Bay area of about 335 km² and more than 775 large and small islands.
Halong Bay is not only famous for its unique natural landscape but also has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. The piers, hotels, and services here are all modern and convenient, making it easy for visitors to join cruise tours or explore interesting caves such as Sung Sot Cave and Thien Cung Cave.
Sung Sot Cave
Lan Ha Bay is located to the south of Halong Bay, in the Cat Ba archipelago, Hai Phong city. Compared to Halong Bay, Lan Ha has a smaller area (about 70 km²) but owns more than 300 islands covered with green trees. Lan Ha Bay is famous for its many small, pristine beaches, ideal for activities such as swimming, kayaking, and exploring floating fishing villages such as Cai Beo, and Viet Hai.
According to the Lan Ha Bay vs Halong Bay map, to get to Lan Ha Bay, visitors usually depart from Cat Ba Island. If you go from Hanoi, you can choose the following route:
Dark & Bright Cave
If you are looking for a convenient and quick trip from Hanoi, Halong Bay is a more suitable choice thanks to its existing highway and port system. Visitors can easily book cruise tours or on-site services without having to travel much.
On the other hand, if you don't mind traveling a little further to Lan Ha Bay, which is more peaceful and less crowded, this journey is also worth considering. In addition, Lan Ha Bay is especially suitable for those who want to combine exploring Cat Ba Island with activities close to nature.
As one of the world’s most famous natural heritages, Halong Bay attracts millions of visitors every year. This makes prominent locations such as Sung Sot Cave, Hon Trong Mai, and Titop Island often crowded, especially during peak season (October - December).
Sung Sot Cave, which is one of the most beautiful and famous caves in Halong Bay, sometimes becomes overloaded by a large number of tourists visiting at the same time. To avoid overcrowding and provide a more comfortable experience, some Halong Bay cruise ships have changed their schedules, choosing to visit Thien Cung Cave instead of Sung Sot Cave. Thien Cung Cave is also an equally beautiful cave, featuring magnificent stalactites and a more spacious space.
More Crowds in Halong Bay
On the contrary, Lan Ha Bay is a quieter and more relaxing space. Sightseeing areas such as Dark and Bright Cave, Monkey Island Bay, and small, pristine beaches are rarely crowded. Even during peak season, you can still easily enjoy private space while participating in activities such as kayaking, swimming, or exploring fishing villages such as Cai Beo.
Cruises in Lan Ha often focus on personalized experiences, have fewer guests, and are often less crowded at stops.
Freely swim in secluded Lan Ha Bay
If you like a lively atmosphere, many choices of tours and services, then Halong Bay is the ideal choice. However, consider the schedule to avoid crowded spots, or choose high-end tours with different routes.
If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy a quiet and private space, then Lan Ha Bay is the perfect destination, especially for those who love to explore nature in peace.
Cruises in Halong Bay are a top choice for those who want to see the whole of this natural wonder. Popular cruise tours include day trips or overnight trips. You will visit famous spots such as Sung Sot Cave, which has a large space and majestic stalactite landscape, or Titop Island, which has a beautiful beach and a mountain peak for breathtaking panoramic views.
On luxury cruises, visitors can also participate in many interesting activities such as cooking, night squid fishing, or enjoying cocktail parties on the deck at sunset.
In Lan Ha Bay, cruises have a different experience with a more peaceful and private space. The itineraries often take you to explore lesser-known spots such as Sang Toi Cave or Cai Beo fishing village - one of the oldest fishing villages in Vietnam.
Cruises here also often anchor near small beaches where visitors can swim or kayak in the clear blue water. The wildness and few people of Lan Ha Bay will give you the feeling of being in a completely separate world.
Bamboo boat in Lan Ha Bay
Halong Bay is famed for its thousands of limestone karsts and islets that rise dramatically from the sea, with landmarks like Fighting Cock Islet and Incense Burner Islet being particularly iconic. Each formation tells a unique story that is mouth-transfering by locals, contributing to the bay’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lan Ha Bay, on the other hand, is home to over 300 lush green islands with a softer and more serene landscape compared to Halong Bay. While smaller in scale, Lan Ha’s scenery is equally stunning and less crowded, creating an ideal setting for those seeking peace and tranquility amidst nature.
Halong Bay view from the cruise
Halong Bay boasts some of the most famous caves in Vietnam, such as Sung Sot Cave, Dau Go Cave, and Thien Cung Cave, which feature magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. However, Sung Sot Cave can be overcrowded, prompting some cruises to adjust their schedules to visit Thien Cung Cave instead, which is less busy but equally impressive.
Lan Ha Bay doesn’t have large caves like Halong Bay, but it offers hidden gems such as Bright and Dark Cave, which you can explore by kayak or bamboo boat. These smaller caves retain their pristine beauty and provide a more peaceful experience closer to nature.
Halong Bay has popular swimming spots like Titop Beach and Soi Sim Beach, where visitors can relax and enjoy the clear waters. However, these spots can get quite crowded during peak season, so it may be hard to fully relax.
In contrast, Lan Ha Bay features numerous small, secluded beaches like Van Boi Beach or those near Monkey Island. These beaches are quieter and less developed, allowing you to immerse yourself in the crystal-clear water and enjoy the serene surroundings without interruptions.
Kayaking in Halong Bay to explore by yourselves
Kayaking is a favorite activity in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise for unique perspectives of the towering limestone karsts and hidden lagoons. In Halong Bay, popular kayaking areas include Luon Cave and Vung Vieng Fishing Village, where you can paddle through arches and observe the daily lives of local fishermen.
Lan Ha Bay’s kayaking experience is even more serene, often centered around Bright and Dark Cave or isolated inlets. The calm, less crowded waters make it ideal for those seeking a more immersive adventure, allowing you to explore at your own pace without competing with other groups.
So, with the above-mentioned info, did you choose a suitable place for a bay cruise tour? Deciding between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay largely depends on what you’re looking for in your travel experience. Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay tours have breathtaking scenery, exciting activities, and unique attractions, but they cater to different types of travelers.
Enjoy your Halong Bay overnight trip
Better yet, why not explore both and enjoy the best of what these incredible bays have to offer? No matter where you go, a trip to either Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay will leave you in awe of Vietnam’s extraordinary natural wonders. Contact Halong Bay Cruise Trip to choose your best Halong Bay cruise with a suitable itinerary and budgets from middle class to luxury!
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Best Halong Bay Cruise Trip 2025/2026
