Planning the next step of your Vietnam trip? I bet the Halong Bay itinerary is on your list, and you are wondering how to organize your trip to enjoy those high and romantic mountain shapes in the middle of the sea.
As we visited that beautiful place a couple of months ago, let us share our experience of doing Halong Bay in 2 days and practical things we learned on the way.
Read also our guide to Visit Hanoi in 2 days
How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi
Most travelers do the Halong Bay itinerary from Hanoi as it is quite close and stays in Cat Ba island. Actually, there are 2 ways to get there:
Combined ticket (includes bus and fast boat – more expensive)
In Hanoi, you will find many agencies that sell combined tickets to get to Halong Bay. The ticket includes the journey on the bus and a fast boat to get to your stay in Halong Bay. This option is usually expensive because of the fast boat. However, it is suitable if you are planing Halong Bay for 2 days.
Separate tickets for the bus and public ferry (cheapest option)
This is for sure the backpackers’ option for the Halong Bay itinerary. You can check the most recent transport options here. For the best synchronization, check the ferry schedule before booking your bus ticket.
Regardless of which option you choose, the bus ride is about 2 to 3 hours to the bay. There you either find the fast boat waiting for you. Or you have to walk to the public ferry dock. Plan at least 20 minutes walking as the public ferry is quite far from the bus stop.
Best time to visit Halong Bay
The bay is one of the famous attractions in Vietnam. So you should expect it to be crowded with tourists and cruises. As I am still a fan of the so-called shoulder season, we visited Halong Bay in February. It is good timing as most of Northern Vietnam is still relatively cold during that time, and high seasons haven’t started yet.
While planing your Halong Bay itinerary, keep in mind that the high season in Northern Vietnam is between May and November.
Halong Bay itinerary: where to stay
Halong Bay is quite a large region and one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Actually, you can find many hotels on the islands. Depending on how far the island is, it varies the night price. We recommend staying on Cat Ba island, as most ferries go to it and also there are a lot of other activities to do there.
We stayed at Cat Ba Ong Cottages, a separate island 20 minutes away from Cat Ba. To be honest, we really enjoyed this hotel as it is cheap, calm and wonderful. It also provides free pickup service from this place. Get in touch with them for more organization.
Here is a nice post if you are looking for more information about things to do and what to eat on Cat Ba island.
Celebrating her birthday in Cat Ong Cottages 😀
Halong Bay itinerary: is the cruise worth it?
Many tourists and travelers get tempted by the idea of spending a night on a cruise in Halong Bay. Actually, you can find many convenient cruise offers in Hanoi for Halong Bay in 2 days at a reasonable price.
The bay is famous around the world, and it is one of the main attractions in Vietnam. A cruise experience in Halong Bay could be worth it when you choose the right to do it to avoid the crowds.
Alternatively, you could also spend a nightlight on a calm island with the same view and make a day trip in Halong Bay.
How to organize your day trip to Halong Bay
The first piece of advice to consider when visiting this one of Vietnam landmarks: never book your day trip to Halong Bay with your hotels. They always offer over-priced tours because they also get commissions from each customer.
In Cat Ba center, you will find many small agencies around providing basically the same itinerary. That’s why you should ask several ones and compare the prices.
The tours take almost the whole day, and it is also planned with several stops. Good to know as well that lunch included. This should be your main plan for Halong Bay for 2 days.
You might also want to watch our Vietnam travel-video:
Final thoughts about Halong Bay
Halong Bay itinerary is a must-see on your Vietnam itinerary and is part of the best beaches in Vietnam. Just make sure you are there is good timing because of the crowd. Actually, Halong Bay in 2 days is an ideal plan for your Vietnam travel. Especially if you are starting from Hanoi, like most travelers.
3 comments
Cheers for these Tips! I visited Vietnam in 2018, but didn’t have time to fit the North into the itinerary. I will definitely have to go back and check out Halong Bay!
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