Halong Bay Tours
Halong Bay Tours
4.5
Boat ToursSightseeing ToursFood ToursDay Trips
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Halong Bay Tours is a Halong based provider offering tours and cruise to the world heritage site of Halong Bay with up to date tours and itineraries to travelers who are planning a cruise to visit Halong Bay.
Hanoi, Vietnam

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(173 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
431 reviews
Excellent
245
Very good
142
Average
28
Poor
9
Terrible
7

Frances L
United Kingdom263 contributions
Mar 2020
We had a overnight Cruise with Emeraude which started about midday. After embarking there were welcome drinks as we set sail followed by lunch then an onshore excursion to Surprise Cave. Crepes were served at about 4ish then many of us went kayaking and returned just in time for Happy Hour. Following a cookery demonstration on the Sun deck Dinner was served. There was then an opportunity to go squid fishing, see a film or just watch the sun go down on what must be one of the most spectacular landscapes of rock formations. The cabin, although not luxurious, had all that we needed and we slept well in a comfortable bed. The next day after early coffee and pastries it was time for Tai Chi, a quick swim followed by a magnificent brunch then the cruise back to the Harbour. Halong Bay is an enchanting timeless world.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tea-and-Sea
Singapore, Singapore50 contributions
Jul 2022
This review is for Halong Bay Tours who we used as booking agent and not for the cruise which I have reviewed separately. We found this broker to be good value and an easy way to compare options. Beware that the website does not show live availability so do wait for confirmation prior to booking flights etc - we tried to book for April, received a "thank you for your booking" email and I was halfway through booking flights when I saw another email stating there was no availability. Fortunately I hadn't finalised the flights. When we came to book for the summer instead, we checked the pricing and found Halong Bay Tours was still better value than booking direct. Checking our itineerary ahead of travelling we spotted the confirmation was for 2D1N instead of 3D2N - our mistake - which the team were able to sort for us immediately, removing the stress. Transport was on time and comfortable, collecting us from our hotel in Hanoi and dropping us off at the airport. Overall great service.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicetower
Paris, France3 contributions
Apr 2019
Tourism on the water in a boat with approximately 30 people. Also, get off the boat then use a small boat down the water and into coral caves. Waters with islands in the form of high cliffs. An interesting sight and experience that I've ever done.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helle M
Malmö, Sweden23 contributions
Dec 2022
Booked a Halong Bay cruise (Swan Cruise), loved everything but... via Halong Bay Tours.
Positive: Our private transfer to Hai phong airport was smooth, we requested to leave two hours after the cruise ended, so we would not have to wait 4 hours in the airport. There wasn't much to see in walking distance from the port and we had just eaten another good dinner, so did not use the restaurants, but had a walk and a drink in the port (very quiet after the cruises had left).
Negative: The communication with the booking agency was not amazing. Every time it was a different person who replied, they did not reply to my questions and did not give me the information I asked for. I plan our trips myself, therefore I am a very demanding customer (I want details!), and the information regarding transfer on the HP, did not match the information I was received after booking. We had to leave 8.00 in the morning for the cruise, which embarked 13.30, a trip which takes about 2-2½ hours. They did not tell me why, but it is because they schedule a shopping stop after reaching Halong. It did not figure on the itinerary given (I think we wouldn't be the only ones to questions this stop), it was sold by the guide as a restroom/refreshments stop, we never got ANY kind of refreshments, but was ushered into a very depressing building with very boring assembly rooms with bad chairs. We guess, to receive as spiel about the products they sold in the shop, locally produced. We didn't want to hear a spiel in that dreary room, found nothing of interest in the shop and waited standing outside for the rest of the group. It was sold as a 30 min. stop, but took 95 min. And then it took 5 min. to reach the port. If we could have waited in the port, it would at least have been more pleasant.
Oh yeah, and the schedule said pickup from our hotel 8.15-8.45, which was changed to 8.00 the evening before (I did not see the change until morning). And the guide was waiting for us at 7.45. So we really loved that we had to rush check-out, without time for coffee, just to sit 95 min. waiting outside a shop (again NO COFFEE!).
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ozboomer
Perth, Australia6 contributions
Dec 2010
The main reason many tourists travel to Hanoi is to see Halong Bay. Hardly surprising as Halong Bay predominates in any tourist literature and who wouldn't be impressed with those photos of attractive limestone islands thrusting out of the bay and visions of caves and grottos. Striking stuff and obviously a motivation to visit. Internation credibility is courtesy of a UNESCO World Heritage listing of the whole region.
Popularity has created a problem! With a never ending supply of tourists local tour operators have slashed their costs to be able to compete. Most Hanoi hotels flog the 'one day special' for USD35.Go direct to any travel agent (there are heaps) in Hanoi and they will charge USD25 for the same trip including pickup from your hotel. This is a bargain! Where else could you get someone to collect you from your hotel, drive you the 3 hour trip from Hanoi to Halong City, throw in a cruise with a seafood lunch on Halong Bay, dock at an island with a cave, give you 15 minutes paddling around on a kyak, cruise back to the port and then drive you the 3 hour return trip to Hanoi.
Bargain? - No doubt about that in monetary terms. BUT - is the experience really worth it?

So if you are thinking that a short trip to Hanoi with a day trip to Halong Bay is the go read on.

Pickup from hotel about 7.30am. Usual transport is a typical 14 seater van and there will not be a spare seat. Persons above 75kg and over 1.6m tall will have trouble fitting in. The trip to Halong Bay. I do not wish to be unkind but the 3 hour drive there and back will not have you reaching for your camera. There is but one toilet stop each way so be warned if you are unwell. Halong Bay docks are awash with tourist transport all disgorging their passengers. Similarly, there are dozens of boats of all shapes and sizes lined up waiting for their share of the tourists to be herded aboard. The morning I was there it was not exactly chaos but close. Out into the bay and lunch was served. There were several dishes of seafood origin but a long way from what most people would have in mind when they read 'delicious seafood lunch' on the brochure. (It was noted that the crew thoroughly enjoyed a large plate of cooked prawns at a nearby table - alas, none survived to reach us) We reached one of the islands that I surmise is the closest and most visited given the number of other boats queueing up. Obviously no Health and Safety inspectors visit here as from the boat we were on you had to climb down several shaky wooden boxes to get to the jetty. In fairness there were a number of crew in attendance to assist/catch you if you fell. On land we were informed we had to ascend about 70 steps (no handrails) up to a cave. After looking at the cave the group would make its way to another jetty further around the island to meet our boat. A very senior single gentleman travelling in our group was obviously unable to complete such an exercise. I advised the guide that I would stay with this gentleman and insisted the boat return to collect us. Fortunately it did. The return trip back to the docks was uneventual. We arived back at Hanoi at about 9pm, in a different van this time that surely was designed for transporting children. All in all a 14 hour experience. Was it good value - Yes! Would I do it again - No!

A group of backpackers, unlimited music in their ears and stout kidneys would probably love it. Anyone else may consider looking at alternatives, particularly the travel there and back. I suggest you look at different cruising options as well. There must be people who have had a Halong Bay experience that 'exceeded their expectations'. Regretably I was not one of them. I would visit again but next time .....

Speak with people who have had a good experience.
Beware overpricing of transport.
Consider overnighting in Ha Long City

The boat I went on was the 'Halong Phoenix Day Boat' run by 'South Pacific Travel'. It is the only experience that I have had on Halong Bay. In monetary terms it was really good value for what you get. They may have alternative cruises to suit a more mature taste. Anyway - good luck!
Written January 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PerthTravelmode
Perth88 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
We went on a one day tour to Halong bay, it is very beautiful, however, the 4 hour bus journey was something I don't think I will ever forget.
My advice is try to book a private driver to take you, especially if there are a few of you.
We were charged $50 per person for our one day cruise, which included transport and lunch (except any drinks, you have to purchase them separately at inflated prices)
We were surprised upon our arrival at the bay our tickets were only $10.00 for the boat cruise and lunch) , which meant that we had paid $40 each for transport, which in my opinion is much too expensive. Might be worth an investigation by some of you future travellers, either way, don't miss out on this beautiful piece of paradise.
Written December 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

493Ron
Jacksonville, FL967 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
When they sell you this day-trip in Hanoi they lay it on thick: bus-ride to Halong Bay (they don't tell you the bus is old and dirty and the road is a nightmare of bumps and potholes and the bus was overcrowded, with luggage stacked in front of the only exit door and the driver driving really recklessly and dangerously), they will pick you up (one hour late) at your hotel, the trip lasts from 7am to 7:30pm (actually it was 8am to 10:00pm but who's keeping track), you can swim and kayak in Halong Bay (when you get there the guide says it is too dirty to swim and you can kayak but only in a certain area and if you want to kayak in the nice area you have to pay extra), they provide lunch (rice and seaweed and if you want something to drink that is extra) and they will also try to sell you a fish you can eat for lunch. This day-trip was my worst travel expeience of my life. Be careful.
Written July 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kangelini
Hong Kong, China1,569 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
A day trip is enough at Halong Bay unless you plan a very romantic couples trip.

The bay is beautiful itself, and doesn't matter what the weather is like. We departed our hotel at 8am and were back at 7pm. Drive is 3.5 hours both ways, and the road is rather bumpy - do bring some water with you.

Plenty of opportunities for taking photos in the bay. Don't make the caves/grotto a priority, and spend more time in the bay itself.
Written April 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William7845
Bogota, Colombia83 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
1st time to Hanoi And went mostly to visit Halong. This cruise was recommended by my friends in the Indochina Hotel. What a great experince. Picked up at hotel ontime, beware thwt this is a 3.5 hour bus ride to get to the harbour at halong bay. Had the pleasure of sailing with cruise director TON " aka tom cruise". He was 1st class all the way. Boat is small and beautiful, we had 15 passengers aboard and was just right. I did see some better boats on there but I think the Carina was the perfect size. Rooms big, good shower with hot water. Be aware that if you go now it is cold and windy, quite cool at night. Destination is amazing, special cave was fantastic. Lots of wonderful photos. Be sure and bring hour appetite as the food is fantastic and they are constantly feeding you. The good was the best I had durong my stay in hanoi. Wonderful onboard chef.
ALSO- i accidently forgot my passport on the boat, and they delivered it to my hotel the next day as promised. By the way these people didnt ask for any tip, never mentioned it. But they certainly deserve it for their hard work and great service.

1st class all the way, would highly recommend.
Written January 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

liz18888
Singapore, Singapore5 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
Me and my family had a safe and wonderful holiday in Halong Bay and Hanoi. A big thank to this beautiful, friendly and excellence service young lady - Lily. Without her super fast response, arrangement and comfort, our trip may not be swift. I highly recommended her and her company to all travellers, you will be burden free. Should our family decided to visit Halong Bay again, she will be our only contact point. Thanks a lot....Lily!
Written December 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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