Explore the Journey from Hanoi to HaLong Bay: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Explore the Journey from Hanoi to HaLong Bay: The Ultimate Travel Guide

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Are you looking for a memorable journey from the vibrant life of Hanoi to the magnificent beauty of HaLong Bay? Join us to explore this ideal travel route, with interesting experiences on each route. From choosing the right means of transportation, to exploring famous locations and enjoying delicious dishes, this article will provide you with all the information you need to have a perfect trip from Hanoi to HaLong Bay and vice versa. Get ready for a memory-filled adventure!

Overview of the journey from Hanoi to HaLong Bay

The journey from Hanoi to HaLong Bay is one of the most famous tourist routes in Vietnam, connecting the vibrant capital with the bay recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. The distance is about 180 km, passing through the peaceful countryside of the Northern Delta before coming to the majestic beauty of thousands of large and small islands in HaLong Bay. This is a great route to explore the diversity in the natural landscape as well as the culture of Northern Vietnam.

halong bay vietnam

There are many reasons why the journey from Hanoi to HaLong becomes attractive to tourists:

  • First of all, this is a great opportunity to experience the interesting contrast between the bustling life of the capital Hanoi and the peaceful beauty of HaLong Bay.
  • Second, HaLong Bay is known as a natural wonder with thousands of limestone islands, caves and steep cliffs. The scenery here will bring visitors unforgettable experiences.
  • Third, this journey is also an opportunity to enjoy the unique cuisine of Quang Ninh, especially fresh seafood.
  • Finally, with the distance not too far and diverse means of transportation, the journey from Hanoi to HaLong is quite convenient for a short day or weekend trip.

For the above reasons, the journey from Hanoi to HaLong will definitely bring visitors interesting and memorable experiences.

How to travel from Hanoi to HaLong Bay

Bus/coach from Hanoi to HaLong

Bus or passenger car is a popular and economical means of traveling from Hanoi to HaLong.

  • Travel time usually takes about 3-4 hours depending on traffic conditions. Ticket prices range from 100,000 – 200,000 VND/person.
  • Pick-up/drop-off points are usually My Dinh, Gia Lam, Luong Yen bus stations in Hanoi. In HaLong, the destination is usually Bai Chay bus station or large hotels.

To travel by coach/bus from Hanoi to HaLong Bay, you can choose the following reputable bus companies:

Hoang Long passenger bus

hoang long bus hanoi to halong bay
  • Departing from My Dinh and Gia Lam bus stations (Hanoi), arriving at Bai Chay bus station (HaLong)
  • Departure time: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. every day
  • Ticket price: about 160,000 – 180,000 VND/person/one way
  • Travel time: about 3.5 – 4 hours
  • Contact to book tickets: 1900 6469

Van Minh passenger bus

van minh bus hanoi to halong bay
  • Departing from My Dinh bus station, Luong Yen (Hanoi) to Bai Chay bus station (HaLong)
  • Departure time: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. every day
  • Ticket price: about 150,000 – 170,000 VND/person/one way
  • Travel time: about 3.5 – 4 hours
  • Contact to book tickets: 024 3826 5589

Hai Au bus

hai au bus hanoi to halong bay
  • Departing from Luong Yen bus station (Hanoi) to Bai Chay bus station (HaLong)
  • Departure time: 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. every day
  • Ticket price: about 130,000 – 150,000 VND/person/one way
  • Travel time: about 4 – 4.5 hours
  • Contact to book tickets: 0914 786 009

Phuc Xuyen passenger bus

phuc xuyen passenger bus hanoi to halong bay
  • Departing from Nuoc Ngam bus station (Hanoi) to HaLong bus station
  • Departure time: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. every day
  • Ticket price: about 140,000 – 160,000 VND/person/one way
  • Travel time: about 3.5 – 4 hours
  • Contact to book tickets: 1900 1243

Note: Ticket prices and schedules may change, you should contact the bus companies directly for the most accurate information. In addition, to have a smooth trip, you should book tickets in advance, arrive at the bus station on time and bring the necessary identification documents.

Rent a private car from Hanoi to HaLong Bay

rent a private car from hanoi to halong bay

Renting a private car is a more comfortable and flexible option for groups of friends or families.

  • The advantage of renting a car is that you can freely adjust your schedule, stop for sightseeing along the way and save travel time.
  • The price to rent a 4-seat car is about 1,500,000 – 1,800,000 VND/car/2 ways, a 7-seat car is from 1,800,000 – 2,500,000 VND/car/2 ways. Reputable car rental companies often provide door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services.

Train from Hanoi to HaLong

train from hanoi to halong

Train is also an interesting experience to travel from Hanoi to HaLong.

  • The train journey offers the opportunity to admire the Northern countryside landscape and have time to relax before starting the trip to explore HaLong Bay.
  • Trains SP3 and SP5 depart from Hanoi/Gia Lam station to HaLong in the morning and afternoon, with a travel time of about 6-7 hours. One-way ticket prices range from 200,000 – 300,000 VND/person depending on seat class.

Depending on your preferences, budget and number of members, you can choose the most suitable means of transportation for the journey from Hanoi to HaLong Bay. No matter how you go, the trip will definitely bring you many interesting experiences.

Discover the best Ha Long tour from Hanoi now:

Means of transportation from HaLong Bay to Hanoi

After finishing your trip to explore HaLong Bay, you can return to Hanoi by the following means:

Bus/coach from HaLong to Hanoi

  • You can catch a passenger car/bus from Bai Chay bus station (HaLong) to bus stations in Hanoi such as My Dinh, Gia Lam, Luong Yen.
  • Reputable bus companies such as Hoang Long, Van Minh, Hai Au, Phuc Xuyen all have HaLong – Hanoi routes with a frequency of 1-2 hours/trip.
  • Travel time is about 3.5 – 4.5 hours depending on traffic conditions.

Rent a private car for the return trip

rent a private car for the return trip
  • If traveling in a group or family, you can rent a private car from HaLong Bay to Hanoi to be proactive about time and itinerary.
  • Many travel and hotel companies in HaLong provide car rental services with prices ranging from 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 VND/car/2-way depending on the type of car.

Train from HaLong to Hanoi

  • Trains SP2 and SP4 depart from HaLong station to Hanoi/Gia Lam station in the morning and afternoon every day.
  • Travel time is about 6-7 hours, ticket prices range from 200,000 – 300,000 VND/person/one way depending on seat class.

Stop for sightseeing on the way back to Hanoi

On the journey back to Hanoi, you can stop to visit some of the following interesting places:

Bat Trang pottery village

bat trang pottery village
  • About 15 km southeast of Hanoi, Bat Trang pottery village is famous for its traditional pottery craft of more than 500 years.
  • Coming here, you can visit ceramic factories and buy handmade ceramics as souvenirs.

Famous Dau Pagoda

famous dau pagoda
  • About 25 km northeast of Hanoi, Dau Pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, with a history dating back to the 3rd century.
  • Dau Pagoda is associated with the legend of the Four Dharmas and is home to many rare antiques such as a thousand-eyed, thousand-armed Buddha statue and a 12-story stone tower.

Above is some information about the journey back to Hanoi from HaLong. You can customize your itinerary to visit interesting places along the way or return straight to Hanoi.

Tips for the trip

Which season is best to travel from Hanoi to HaLong?

  • Spring (February – April) and autumn (September – November) are the best times to go from Hanoi to HaLong. The weather in these two seasons is often cool and pleasant, favorable for sightseeing and enjoying beautiful scenery.
  • Summer (May – August) can be quite hot and rainy. However, this is also the peak tourist season with many attractive activities.
  • In winter (December – February), the weather is often cold and has little rain, suitable for those who like cold air. However, you should remember to bring warm clothes and prepare yourself mentally for swimming.

What luggage to prepare for the trip?

  • Identification documents such as ID card/CCCD, driver’s license (if any)
  • Personal items such as clothes, swimsuits, towels, slippers, hats, sunglasses
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent, common cold/fever medicine
  • Cameras, camcorders, backup chargers, batteries to capture beautiful moments
  • Cash and credit/ATM cards for payment convenience
  • Some medications are specifically for people with chronic diseases
  • Snacks and drinks to use on the go

Safety and health notes

  • Always carry your identification documents and a copy of your passport/ID card when going out
  • Do not bring a lot of cash and valuable belongings
  • Pay attention to preserving personal luggage and bags in public places
  • When participating in activities such as swimming, boating, or climbing, follow safety instructions and wear life jackets when necessary.
  • Drink enough water, eat hygienically, and sleep regularly to ensure health
  • Bring motion sickness medicine if you get motion sickness
  • If you are sick or have any health problems, you should immediately notify your tour guide or local medical staff.

Hope the above tips will help you have an enjoyable and safe trip from Hanoi to HaLong Bay. Wishing you many memorable experiences!

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