Is Ha Long Bay Worth It? My Experience and How to Visit it the Right Way

Nicoletta Dasara
7 hours ago
6 min read

Before traveling to Vietnam, one of the questions I had was: Is Ha Long Bay worth it?

If you search online, you find completely opposite opinions. Some people say it’s not worth it because it’s too touristy, overcrowded, polluted, with dirty water and too many boats. Others say it’s one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place that literally takes your breath away.

I visited Ha Long Bay last November and, after experiencing it myself, I can say it clearly: Ha Long Bay is absolutely not to be skipped.

But – and this is a big but – you need to know how and where to go.

In this article, I'll outline everything you need to know about Ha Long Bay and how to visit it the right way based on my own experience.

Ha Long Bay: two truths at the same time

Both versions you read online are true.

Yes, some areas of Ha Long Bay are very crowded, especially the central ones, where many day cruises arrive with large organized groups.

At the same time, the bay is still stunning. The limestone karst formations rising from the water, the light changing during the day, the silence when you move away from the busiest routes… all of this is real, and it is incredibly beautiful.

The truth is that Ha Long Bay offers very different experiences depending on how you visit it.

But... It’s not only Ha Long Bay!

One very important thing I learned is that when people talk about “Ha Long Bay”, there is often confusion. In reality, the area is much larger and includes other bays that are less known but just as beautiful:

Ha Long Bay (the most famous and most visited)
Lan Ha Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay

The landscape is very similar: limestone islands, emerald-green water, caves, hidden beaches. The main difference is... the number of tourists!

If Ha Long Bay is perfect for those with little time or who want an easy experience, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are ideal for travelers looking for something more authentic and quiet.

How to visit Ha Long Bay: all the options

“Classic” Ha Long Bay

Ideal for those with limited time or budget who want to see the most iconic places of Ha Long Bay.

This is the most popular option, but also the most crowded.

There are mainly day cruises departing to Ha Long Bay and returning on the same day.

This is the cheapest option and is ideal if you have little time or a limited budget

There are also 2 days / 1 night and 3 days / 2 nights cruises offering different levels of service, from very basic to very luxurious.

The “classic” itinerary

Cruises in Ha Long Bay, especially 1- or 2-night cruises, usually include these stops:

Ti Tốp Island – famous for its white sand beach and the viewpoint with panoramic views over the bay
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) – the largest and most famous cave in the bay, with impressive stalactites and stalagmites
Thien Cung Cave – a very scenic cave whose name means “Heavenly Palace”
Cua Van Floating Fishing Village – one of the largest floating fishing villages still open to visitors

Typical activities include kayaking around the islands, swimming in laggons, and easy visits to the caves.

If this is the best choice for you, I recommend booking with Ambassador Day Cruise. Their day cruise rates start at USD 87 per person, including transfer from Hanoi.

Lan Ha Bay

Perfect for those who seek time in nature, peaceful landscapes, and outdoor activities.

Lan Ha Bay is often considered a greener and more peaceful alternative to Ha Long Bay. It's less known, quieter, and you can also often visit Cat Ba Island. A great alternative if you want fewer boats and more nature with the same activities and sceneries!

A “nature and relaxed” itinerary

Cruises highlights usually include:

Dark & Bright Cave – a low cave entered by kayak or bamboo boat, with calm green water
Ao Ech Lagoon – a natural lagoon surrounded by islands, perfect for kayaking or relaxing in the water
Viet Hai Village – a small village surrounded by nature on Cat Ba Island, where you can cycle, meet the local community, and see rural life
Trung Trang Cave – a deep cave on Cat Ba Island, also accessible on foot
Van Boi Beach and Three Peach Beach – more natural and less crowded than those in Ha Long Bay, perfect for swimming or relaxing

Typical activities include kayaking in quiet lagoons, swimming in less crowded bays, and light hikes in the Cat Ba jungle.

If you want to go to Lan Ha Bay, I recommend booking Orchid Classic 2-day 1-night Cruise, starting from USD 175 per person.

Bai Tu Long Bay (my choice)

Ideal for those who want to avoid the crowds and experience the bay at a slower, more authentic pace.

And this is where my personal experience comes in!

I chose Bai Tu Long Bay, and it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my entire trip to Vietnam. Bai Tu Long Bay is larger and much less visited, so cruises here usually focus on remote places and more immersive experiences. For this reason, there are only overnight cruises going into Bai Tu Long Bay: you won't be able to visit on a day cruise.

An “authentic and less crowded” itinerary

Cruises include:

Thien Canh Son Cave – a beautiful cave with amazing views over the bay, often included in 2- or 3-day itineraries
Vung Vieng Fishing Village – an old floating fishing village that you can explore by kayak or small boat, observing daily local life
Beaches like Ban Chan Beach and Tra San Beach. Indochina Junk organizes a lovely BBQ lunch on one of these beaches on their 3D2N cruise!

Typical activities include kayaking in remote bays, visiting less crowded caves, and cultural experiences with local fishermen.

My recommendation for Bai Tu Long is the Dragon Legend 3-day 2-night Cruise by Indochina Junk, starting from USD 419 per person (transfer from Hanoi included).

My experience in Bai Tu Long Bay

I did a 3-day, 2-night cruise with Dragon Legend by Indochina Junk, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

What impressed me the most was the feeling of being alone. We visited places where there were no other boats, just us, the sea, and the islands. After reading so many negative comments about overtourism, experiencing the bay like this felt almost unreal.

Next to this, the cruise was fabulous. Service was excellent, cabins were spacious and clean (bathrooms had a wonderful jacuzzi tub by the window!), food was always delicious, and everything was perfectly organized.

During the cruise, we had the opportunity to go kayaking on 2 occasions, and both times we were the only ones by a few miles. We also had the chance to take a longtail boat into the Vung Vieng floating fishing village, where hundreds of fishermen live! Today, these villages are much fewer than in the past, but it was fascinating to see how people lived (and partly still live) in the bay, completely adapting their lives to the water and its rhythm.

We also had a wonderful BBQ lunch by the beach, during which we had the opportunity to swim in the calm waters (or at least, Reid did; the water was too cold for me!)

It was not only a beautiful experience, but also a human and cultural one.