Halong Bay in a Day: The 5 Most Popular Cruise Routes

Travelers may have heard of not only Halong Bay but also Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay when searching for a cruise to this UNESCO World Heritage Bay. However, Route No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may not be familiar to everyone as they are specific routes for day tours regulated by the government. Each route is associated with a certain bay, has certain highlights, and corresponds to a certain duration. Here are all the cruise routes in Halong Bay that you need to know to make a perfect plan aligning with your schedule and preferences.

Halong Bay - Route 1, 2, 3

The most famous part that always welcomes a huge number of visitors yearly is Halong Bay. The area was recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site for its aesthetic value in 1994 and geomorphological value in 2000. Covering an area of 1,553 km2 with almost 2,000 limestone islands and islets, Halong Bay is the largest part offering the most striking attractions.

A trip to Halong Bay is truly a feast for your eyes thanks to the iconic sites and magically-shaped rocky islands like Fighting Cock Islet (symbol of Halong), Stone Dog Islet, Finger Island, Man’s Head Island, Incense Burner Island, etc. Visitors have a chance to uncover giant caves like Sung Sot or Thien Cung Cave or ancient grottoes like Me Cung or Dau Go Grotto. Besides, Halong Bay offers a great diversity of activities such as kayaking through Luon Cave, taking a sampan boat around the Cua Van floating village, swimming at the Titop or Soi Sim Beach, or capturing a panoramic view from the top. Halong Bay is a paradise for scenic sightseeing and exciting activities.

Kayaking at Halong Bay (Photo by @ambassadorcruise.halong via instagram)

Day tours in Halong include Route 1, Route 2, and Route 3. Route 1 is the shortest route, suitable for travelers with limited time. Route 2 and 3 have a similar duration but Route 2 focuses on magnificent natural landscapes while Route 3 focuses on cultural insight.

Route 1:

• Attractions: Tuan Chau Port - Thien Cung Cave - Dau Go Cave - Stone Dog Islet, Ba Hang Area, Dinh Huong Islet, Fighting Cock Islet.
• Duration: 4 hours
• Itinerary: After welcoming guests onboard, the cruise starts sailing to Halong Bay. The first stop is Dau Go Island where you will disembark and explore Thien Cung Cave or Dau Go Cave by climbing on stone steps and walking. After that, the cruise crosses Stone Dog Islet and stops at the second spot - Ba Hang Area. Here you can enjoy kayaking or a sampan boat to discover rocky islands or learn about local life. The cruise continues to cross Dinh Huong Islet (Incense Burner Islet) and Fighting Cock Islet before returning to the harbor.

Route 2:

• Attractions: Tuan Chau Port - Soi Sim Island - Titop Island - Sung Sot Cave - Bo Nau Cave - Luon Cave - Me Cung Cave.
• Duration: 5-6-8 hours
• Itinerary: Day trips in route 2 start from Tuan Chau Port to Halong Bay and stop at Soi Sim or Titop Island. Here are the 2 large islands with stunning sandy beaches and a top view from the mountain. Continue to cross Bo Nau Cave, Trong Cave and Trinh Nu Cave before dropping anchor at Bo Hon Island. Visitors will climb to explore Sung Sot Cave or kayak/take a sampan boat through Luon Cave. The final stop is Me Cung Cave - an ancient cave with high historical value.

Route 3:

• Attractions: Tuan Chau Port / Halong Port - Cua Van Fishing Village - Halong Floating Cultural Center - Tien Ong Cave - Ba Ham Lake - Ba Men Temple.
• Duration: 6-8 hours
• Itinerary: Starting from Tuan Chau Port or Halong International Port, day cruises head to Halong Bay and stop at Cua Van Fishing Village. Visitors will visit Halong Floating Cultural Center to learn more about the local life in the past and at present. Later, the cruises cross Tien Ong Cave and Ba Ham Lake with tranquil scenery. The last visit is to Ba Men Temple - a historical and cultural site with an important spiritual meaning to locals.

Bai Tu Long Bay - Route 4

Bai Tu Long offers unspoiled and peaceful scenery (Photo by @semicuratedlife via instagram)

Located to the East of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long is the most secluded part of 3 bays. The area is 158 km2 and features untouched karst islands and beaches. The serenity and pristine beauty enchant those who want to stay away from the bustling tourist attractions and totally indulge in nature.

Despite the quietness, Bai Tu Long boasts no shortage of impressive sites with interesting activities. Hike to Thien Canh Son Cave and learn about the magic formation of the cave as well as unique stalactites and stalagmites. Hop on a sampan boat rowed by a local to see the floating houses and fishing boats in Vung Vieng Fishing Village. Pamper yourself in the glass water or unwind on wild beaches. Kayak around hidden islands and discover the diverse ecosystem in the sea or on the mountains.

Bai Tu Long Bay is usually visited by overnight cruises. However, daytime travelers still can get a glimpse of this charming bay on an 8-hour tour on Route 4.

• Attractions: Tuan Chau Port / Halong Port - Bai Tu Long Bay - Cong Do Island - Tung Ang Ecological Area - Vung Vieng Fishing Village
• Duration: 8 hours
• Itinerary: Route 4 takes you to explore Bai Tu Long Bay with the first stop at Thien Canh Son Cave (also called Co Cave). Here you can admire beautiful stalactites with unique shapes and an overview of Halong Bay from above. Then, you can kayak at Cong Do Area, witness breathtaking views at Tung Ang Ecological Area, and explore Vung Vieng Fishing Village by sampan boat.

Lan Ha Bay - Route 5

Pristine beach at Lan Ha Bay (Photo by @heritagecruises via instagram)

With an area of only 70 km2, Lan Ha Bay has a modest area but undeniable allure. The bay impresses your eyes with around 300 splendor limestone islands and 139 natural sandy beaches, perfect for swimming and kayaking. Travelers will be amazed by the Bright Cave - a half-submerged cave with an arch-shaped entrance that leads to peaceful lagoons. Lying to the South of Halong and is the home of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay is proud of both landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can access the island and have fun biking around the Viet Hai Village - an idyllic village with traditional houses, rustic scenery, and friendly locals.

Route 5 is the only route connecting Halong and Lan Ha Bay. However, if you want to focus on Lan Ha Bay only, some day cruises like Jadesails or Halong Catamaran Cruise will take you to see as much of Lan Ha Bay as possible.

• Attractions: Tuan Chau Port / Halong Port - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Thien Cung Cave - Dau Go Cave - Dinh Huong Islet - Fighting Cock Islet - Viet Hai Village.
• Duration: 6-8 hours
• Itinerary: From Tuan Chau or Halong Cruise Port, day cruises start sailing to Halong Bay with the first stop at Dau Go Island. Visitors climb to explore Thien Cung or Dau Go Cave - two of the most beautiful caves in Halong. Cross iconic spots like Dinh Huong Islet and Fighting Cock Islet and proceed to Lan Ha Bay area, explore Viet Hai Village - a traditional village nestled in dense jungles and mountains on Cat Ba Island. Here you can walk or cycle around the village to learn about the local life and culture.

Summary & cruise suggestions

Travelers can buy the ticket directly at the port to join a shared day boat for Route 1 and 2. Route 3, 4, and 5 are only available for a private day boat which is more expensive and should be reserved in advance.

Alternatively, many cruise companies organize a-z day tours visiting one of 3 bays. It is easier for you to choose the area and book the cruise in advance to secure the availability and be well-informed about the itinerary and service. You can consider the highlights of each area to match your travel purpose and preferences (exploration or relaxation priority, young or senior members, bustling or secluded attractions, etc).