Halong Bay cost in 2026 starts at about $34 per person for a day tour from Hanoi. A Halong Bay cruise 2 days 1 night costs about $120 to $225 per person on boats that sail the Halong Bay route. A 3 days 2 nights cruise starts at about $239 per person on Lan Ha Bay routes.
These figures are the starting fares listed on Beka Travel in October 2026. The fare is only part of the budget. The final Halong Bay trip cost also depends on whether the transfer from Hanoi and the government sightseeing fee are included. Drinks and tips are usually extra.
Quick summary of Halong Bay trip costs
| Cost item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Day tour from Hanoi | From $34 per person | Transfer, entrance fees and lunch included |
| 2D1N cruise, Halong Bay route | $120 to $225 per person | Cabin, meals and activities |
| 2D1N cruise, Lan Ha Bay route | $150 to about $400 per person | Boats listed under Halong Bay that sail Lan Ha Bay |
| 3D2N cruise | From $239 per person | Lan Ha Bay routes |
| Sightseeing fee, day visit | 250,000 VND per person | Routes VHL1 and VHL2 |
| Sightseeing fee, overnight | 550,000 VND per person | Route 2 with 1 night |
| Hanoi to Halong Bay, one way | 120,000 to 700,000 VND per person | Public bus, shuttle bus or limousine van |
| Private car, one way | 1,400,000 to 2,350,000 VND per car | Shared by the group |
Halong Bay cost by trip type and duration
Halong Bay day trip cost
A day tour is the cheapest way to see the bay because there is no cabin to pay for. The Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi sold by Beka Travel starts at $34 per person. The fare covers the limousine or coach transfer from Hanoi, the entrance fees, kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, a buffet lunch and an English-speaking guide.
Drinks, tips and the holiday surcharge are not included. The Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay Day Tour starts at $60 and covers both bays in one day. A Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi includes about 2.5 to 3 hours on the road each way by limousine van.
Cost of a Halong Bay cruise for 2 days 1 night
A 2D1N cruise on the Halong Bay route costs about $120 to $225 per person on Beka Travel. Hera Classic Boutique Cruise, Amanda Halong Bay Cruise and Cozy Bay Grand Halong Bay Cruise are in the $120 to $140 range. Ambassador Halong Bay Cruise and Catherine Halong Bay Cruise are in the $195 to $225 range.
The fare usually covers a private cabin, meals on board, the sightseeing fee, a cave visit and kayaking. The price gap between boats comes mostly from cabin size, a private balcony, a bathtub and the number of guests on board. On the same boat, a suite costs more than a standard cabin.
Halong Bay cruise cost for 3 days 2 nights
The 3D2N cruises currently listed on Beka Travel run on Lan Ha Bay routes and cost about $239 to $310 per person. The range includes Lan Ha Bay 3D2N Peaceful Journey and Beka Premium Cruise 3D2N. The second night adds a full day on the water without a second road trip from Hanoi.
3D2N departures on the Halong Bay route are available on request. For a 2 nights stay on Halong Bay route 2, the sightseeing fee is 750,000 VND per person, compared with 550,000 VND for 1 night.
What is included in the Halong Bay tour price?
Two boats with the same fare can include different services. The table shows what is usually in the price and what is usually charged on top.
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Cabin on overnight cruises | Transfer from Hanoi on some packages |
| Meals in the itinerary | Soft drinks and alcohol |
| Sightseeing fee on most packages | Tips for the guide and crew |
| English-speaking guide | Spa treatments |
| Cave visit and kayaking or bamboo boat | Holiday surcharge |
| Single cabin supplement |
The transfer from Hanoi changes the total more than any other item. The Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi includes it in the $34 fare. Some overnight cruises include a round-trip transfer, while others sell it as an add-on. Child prices and the single cabin supplement differ from boat to boat and are listed on each cruise page.
Government sightseeing fees in Ha Long Bay
The Ha Long Bay Management Board sets the sightseeing fee for each route and publishes it on halongbay.com.vn. A day visit on route VHL1 or VHL2 costs 250,000 VND per person, and VHL3 or VHL4 costs 200,000 VND. VHL7, which combines routes 1 to 4 on exploration cruises, costs 600,000 VND. The coastal route VHL8 costs 70,000 VND.
Overnight stays use a separate fee. Route 2 with 1 night costs 550,000 VND per person, and route 2 with 2 nights costs 750,000 VND. Route 3 or route 4 with 1 night costs 500,000 VND. Overnight cruise fares generally include this fee, so it should not be counted twice. Since July 1, 2026, passengers using Ha Long International Passenger Port also pay a port fee of 80,000 VND per person for a return journey, as announced on halongbay.com.vn.
Transportation and other Halong Bay trip costs
When the package leaves out the road trip from Hanoi, transport is the largest cost outside the fare. A public bus costs about 120,000 to 250,000 VND one way, a shuttle bus 250,000 to 500,000 VND and a limousine van 350,000 to 700,000 VND. A private car for the Hanoi to Halong Bay transfer costs about 1,400,000 to 2,350,000 VND per car.
Drinks on board and tips are the other common extras. Their cost depends on the boat and on how much each traveler orders.
Halong Bay budget for two people
The examples below use the lowest fares listed on Beka Travel. Drinks and tips are not included.
| Trip | Fare for 2 people | Extra costs to check |
|---|---|---|
| Day tour from Hanoi | $68 | Holiday surcharge |
| 2D1N cruise, Halong Bay route | From $240 | Transfer from Hanoi if not included |
| 3D2N cruise, Lan Ha Bay route | From $478 | Transfer from Hanoi if not included |
A return trip by shuttle bus or limousine van adds about 500,000 to 1,400,000 VND per person when the cruise fare does not include the transfer.
How to save money on a Halong Bay trip
- Choose a day tour: The $34 day tour already includes the transfer and entrance fees, so the fare is close to the final cost.
- Compare the total: Add the transfer and the sightseeing fee to any fare that leaves them out before comparing two boats.
- Book a standard cabin: On the same boat, a standard cabin costs less than a suite with a balcony or a bathtub.
- Avoid public holidays: Some tours add a holiday surcharge. Check the Halong Bay weather by month before fixing the date.
- Start from Cat Ba Island: Travelers already staying on Cat Ba Island can join a Lan Ha Bay tour without the road trip from Hanoi.
Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay cruise cost
Many boats listed as Halong Bay cruises sail in Lan Ha Bay, south of Halong Bay. On Beka Travel, 2D1N cruises on the Halong Bay route cost about $120 to $225 per person. 2D1N cruises on Lan Ha Bay routes cost about $150 to $400. The top of that range comes from boats such as Elite of the Seas and Orchid Premium Cruise, at over $350 per person.
Beka Travel runs its own boats in Lan Ha Bay. Beka Premium Cruise 2D1N costs $129 to $139 per person, close to the lower end of the Halong Bay route. A Lan Ha Bay cruise is an option for travelers comparing both bays at a similar budget.
What the extra cost of a Halong Bay cruise buys
A day tour suits travelers with 1 spare day in Hanoi, since the $34 fare already covers the transfer, entrance fees and lunch. A 2D1N cruise costs about 3.5 times more. It adds a cabin, dinner, breakfast and a second round of sightseeing.
For travelers with more time, a 3D2N itinerary provides a slower pace and more time for exploring Halong Bay Vietnam and the surrounding areas.
When comparing prices, focus on the total cost of a Halong Bay cruise, not only the cabin rate. A slightly higher fare may already include transfers, sightseeing fees and activities that another package charges separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Halong Bay trip cost?
A Halong Bay trip costs from about $34 per person for a day tour from Hanoi, including the transfer and entrance fees. A 2D1N cruise on the Halong Bay route costs about $120 to $225 per person. A 3D2N cruise starts at about $239 per person on Lan Ha Bay routes.
Is the sightseeing fee included in a Halong Bay cruise price?
Usually yes on overnight cruises, and the Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi also includes the entrance fees. When a boat quotes the fee separately, a day visit on route VHL1 or VHL2 costs 250,000 VND per person, and route 2 with 1 night costs 550,000 VND.
What is included in the cost of a Halong Bay cruise?
Most overnight cruise fares include a cabin, meals on board, the sightseeing fee, an English-speaking guide, a cave visit and kayaking. Drinks, tips, spa treatments and, on some packages, the transfer from Hanoi are extra. Child prices and the single cabin supplement differ by boat.
Is transportation from Hanoi included?
Not always. The Halong Bay Day Tour from Hanoi, from $34, includes the limousine transfer from Hanoi. Some overnight cruises include a round-trip transfer, while others sell it as an add-on. A shuttle bus or limousine van costs about 250,000 to 700,000 VND per person one way.
How much should two people budget for Halong Bay?
Two people should budget from about $68 for a day tour from Hanoi and from about $240 for a 2D1N cruise on the Halong Bay route. Drinks and tips are extra. When the transfer is not included, a return trip by shuttle bus or limousine van adds about 500,000 to 1,400,000 VND per person.
Is a Lan Ha Bay cruise more expensive than a Halong Bay cruise?
No, not at the lower end. Beka Premium Cruise 2D1N in Lan Ha Bay costs $129 to $139 per person, close to the $120 to $140 fares at the lower end of the Halong Bay route. Lan Ha Bay also has more high-end boats, with 2D1N fares up to about $400.
Do children pay less for the Halong Bay sightseeing fee?
Yes. Children under 1.2 meters or under 7 years old are exempt, and children aged 7 to under 16 receive a 20% discount, assessed by age. The 50% discount for people aged 60 and over applies to Vietnamese citizens only.
