Cruise Departures from Hanoi City

More than just a vital transition hub for many destinations in the Northern region, Hanoi is a top attraction with engaging natural landscapes, a vibrant culture, and a rich history. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the beauty of ancient Hanoi preserved to this day through ancient buildings, the heroic history of the great president Ho Chi Minh, and inspiring stories behind historical relics like Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, One-pillar Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, etc. Hanoi is a worthy destination on your bucket list in Vietnam.

Best time to visit

Featuring a typical tropical monsoon climate in the North, Hanoi has 4 seasons in a year. Spring is cool, slightly rainy. Summer is hot and wet. Autumn is pleasant and dry. Winter is cold, dry, and misty. The best time to visit Hanoi is Spring from February to April and Autumn from September to October when the temperature is mild, the rainfall is low, and the sunshine is gentle. It is very suitable for outdoor activities and city exploration during this time.

Things to do

• Hanoi Old Quarter: Also called French Quarter, the Old Quarter is Hanoi's historic heart. The site shows off 36 ancient streets with colorful shops, French colonial architecture houses, and endless mouthwatering local street food. Hanoi Old Quarter promises a unique shopping and culinary experience.
• Hoan Kiem Lake: A tranquil lake telling a legend about King Le Loi returning the sword to a turtle after fighting the invaders. Visitors can learn about the history, admire the poetic scenery, witness the mystical Turtle Tower amidst the lake, walk through The Huc Bridge and explore Ngoc Son Temple.
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral: Just steps from Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral resembles a miniature Notre Dame and has been a precious Gothic architectural work since the 1800s. Admiring the featured architecture from outside and inside, attending the solemn mass, or immersing in the bustling atmosphere of the surroundings are highlights when visiting St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
• Temple of Literature: Established in 1976, Temple of Literature is the first university in Vietnam. The site boasts tranquil gardens and courtyards, iconic pavilion Khue Van Cac - the symbol of Hanoi, and 82 stone stelae on turtle backs. The site is ideal for quiet moments amidst the bustling city and learning about the studying tradition of Vietnamese.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: This is the final resting place of former leader - President Ho Chi Minh. Visitors can witness the unique 3-layer architecture of the place preserving Uncle Ho's body, learn about his life and dedication through documents and artifacts, and visit related monuments like Ba Dinh Square, his stilt house, fish pond, and One-Pillar Pagoda.
• Hoa Lo Prison: Constructed in 1896 by the French to prison and torture Vietnamese revolutionaries. Coming here, a vivid picture of the brutality of French colonials and the fierce resilience of prisoners during the Vietnam War will be recreated via images, videos, artifacts, and stories.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda: Next to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda offers a serene landscape of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake,  stunning stupas with impressive architecture.
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: The 3.27-hectare museum includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits about 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Costumes, daily life tools, musical instruments, jewelry, religion, traditions, or even life-size traditional houses are displayed, giving a deep view of rich Vietnam culture.

How to get to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Halong Bay is around 170 km from Hanoi center. The most popular way to travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay is by car, which just takes you 2.5 hours on the new highway. However, there are some options to suit diverse travel budgets and preferences you can refer below:

• By sharing bus: The most convenient and affordable way is traveling by a sharing bus. It costs you $7-10/person/way for a public bus (20 - 45 seats) or $15-20/person/way for a minivan (9 seats). Public buses provide large occupancy and cheap prices but longer duration and low safety (language barriers, possible scam, etc), while minivans save time and are more comfortable. You are advised to book a transfer by sharing bus via a cruise operator or travel agent since these buses pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and will guarantee the time and correct drop-off address for a smooth journey.
• By private car: It costs around $100-120/4-seat car/way or $170-180/car/round trip. This way is more expensive but more comfortable and time-saving as you can be picked up at any location, not limited to the Old Quarter, and no need to wait for picking up other guests.
• By personal transport: This way is recommended for those seeking adventure and local experiences. By renting a motorbike or car, you can have flexible departure times and your own schedule, and have a chance to explore the local landscape on the way as you wish. Motorbike rental is just $5-8/vehicle/day while car rental is $20 - 130/car/day upon vehicle type (fuel is excluded).
• By seaplane: The most expensive way but offers an exclusive experience! Seaplane from Hanoi to Halong costs around $480/person/way and you can get to Halong in 45 minutes and have an extra 15 minutes watching the bay from a bird-eye view. Please note that this service is only available for 3 trips per day and allows 7kg of luggage per person.