How to Get to Halong Bay: Best Routes & Transport

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most iconic destinations in Vietnam. Known for its emerald waters and towering limestone karsts, it attracts millions of travelers every year. With new highways, modern airports, and improved transport services, getting to Halong Bay is now easier than ever before.

You can reach Halong Bay from major domestic cities like Hanoi, Sapa, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ninh Binh, as well as from international hubs such as Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Whether you prefer fast flights, scenic train journeys, or budget-friendly buses, there are plenty of options to choose from.

1. How to get to Halong Bay from domestic destinations

1.1.  From Hanoi (165 km – 2.5h)

Hanoi is the most common starting point to visit Halong Bay, with a short distance of just 165 km. The new expressway has reduced travel time to around 2.5 hours, making it very convenient. Travelers can choose between affordable buses or more luxurious limousine vans.

• Shuttle bus / limousine bus
• Local bus
• Private car / taxi
• Seaplane (Hai Au Aviation)

Check out for a detailed guide on getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

1.2.  From Hai Phong (60 km – 1h)

Hai Phong is another popular gateway, located only 60 km from Halong Bay. With Cat Bi International Airport nearby, many travelers arriving by plane continue their trip to Halong from here. Besides private cars, the ferry-and-speedboat combo via Cat Ba offers a scenic alternative.

• Local bus
• Ferry + speedboat (via Cat Ba → Tuan Chau)
• Private car / taxi

1.3.  From Sapa (480 km – 7–12h)

Getting from Sapa to Halong Bay takes longer, but it’s still manageable for those who want to combine mountains with the sea. Depending on your budget, you can either take a direct overnight bus or travel via Hanoi before continuing to Halong. This route allows you to experience diverse Vietnamese landscapes in one journey.

• Overnight bus
• Train to Hanoi + bus/car to Halong
• Taxi / private car

1.4.  From Ninh Binh (200 km – 3–4h)

Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land,” is another must-see spot before heading to the real Halong Bay. Travel time is about 3–4 hours, with limousine buses being the most comfortable choice. Budget travelers can opt for regular coaches, while private cars are suitable for families.

• Coach (budget option)
• Limousine bus
• Private car

1.5.  From Hoa Binh / Mai Chau (230 km – 5–10h)

From Mai Chau or Hoa Binh, you can enjoy a long but beautiful drive to Halong Bay. The trip usually takes between 5 and 10 hours depending on traffic and chosen transport. If you don’t mind a longer ride, the sleeping bus is a convenient option.

• Local bus / sleeping bus
• Taxi / private car

1.6.  From Da Nang (900 km – 16h road / 1h15 flight)

Da Nang is quite far from Halong Bay, so the best option is to fly. Direct flights to Hanoi or Hai Phong take just over an hour, followed by a short transfer. For adventurous travelers, sleeper buses or trains via Hanoi are available but take much longer.

• Airplane (to Noi Bai – Hanoi / Cat Bi – Hai Phong)
• Sleeper bus (18–19h)
• Train to Hanoi + bus/car

1.7.  From Hoi An (925 km road / 551 km air)

Hoi An travelers typically go via Da Nang airport to fly to Hanoi or Hai Phong. This is the fastest and most convenient route. If you want to save money, buses and trains are available, though travel time is much longer.

• Flight (via Da Nang airport → Hanoi / Hai Phong)
• Coach + bus combo
• Taxi / private car
• Train (via Da Nang → Hanoi → Halong)

1.8. From Nha Trang (1,395 km)

Nha Trang is another coastal city, but far from Halong Bay. The most time-saving choice is to fly to Hanoi or Hai Phong, then transfer by bus or car. Budget travelers may take the train, but the journey is long.

• Flight (to Cat Bi / Noi Bai)
• Train (Nha Trang → Hanoi → Halong)
• Bus (29–32h, budget option)

1.9. From Ho Chi Minh City (1,848 km road / 2h flight)

From Ho Chi Minh City, flying is by far the best way to visit Halong Bay. You can choose flights to Van Don, Cat Bi, or Noi Bai airports, then continue by bus or private car. The train and bus alternatives are much cheaper but take over 30 hours.

• Flight (to Van Don / Cat Bi / Noi Bai)
• Train (HCMC → Hanoi → Halong)
• Bus (35h, cheapest)

1.10. From Phu Quoc

For Phu Quoc travelers, the fastest option is flying to Hanoi or Hai Phong, followed by a road transfer to Halong Bay. While ferry + overland combinations exist, they take too much time and are not recommended for short trips.

• Flight (Phu Quoc → Hanoi / Hai Phong → Halong by bus/car)
• Alternative: Ferry → HCMC → bus/train → Hanoi → Halong (time-consuming, not recommended)

Travel Comparison Table (Domestic)

2. How to get to Halong bay from International Destinations

2.1.  From Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket)

Thailand is one of the easiest international gateways to Halong Bay. Direct flights from Bangkok to Hanoi or Hai Phong are frequent and affordable. Thai passport holders don’t need a visa for stays under 30 days, which makes the trip even smoother.

• Flights to Hanoi / Hai Phong / HCMC
• Visa requirement (Thai passport exempt under 30 days)
• Sample airfares + airlines

Need help with your Vietnam visa? Find all the details and requirements in this guide.

2.2.  From Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca)

Malaysia also has strong flight connections to Vietnam. Most visitors land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before transferring to Halong Bay. With a visa exemption of up to 30 days, Malaysian travelers can enjoy hassle-free trips.

• Direct flights to Hanoi / HCMC, then transfer
• Visa requirement (Malaysian passport exempt <30 days)
• Airlines + prices

2.3.  From Singapore

Singaporeans enjoy a short flight of just three hours to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Many low-cost airlines operate this route, making it one of the cheapest ways to reach Vietnam. For travelers asking what is the best way to visit Halong Bay from Singapore, flying to Hanoi then taking a 2.5-hour bus is the fastest.

• Direct flights to Hanoi / HCMC
• Visa rules (Singaporean passport exempt <30 days)
• Airline options & price range

2.4. From the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Davao)

The Philippines connects to Vietnam mainly via flights to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. While there are currently no direct flights to Hai Phong, Manila offers affordable direct routes to Hanoi. Filipino passport holders get 21-day visa-free entry, making it convenient for short Halong Bay trips.

• Flights: Manila → Hanoi (4 hrs), Manila → HCMC (2h 45m)
• Visa requirement: Filipino passport exempt ≤ 21 days
• Sample airfare: $120–$180 round-trip (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines)

Get a Vietnam tourist SIM card easily see the full guide here.

2.5. From China (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai)

China is one of the closest gateways to Halong Bay, with multiple options by air, land, or train. Direct flights from southern China cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Hanoi or Haiphong are common. For those near the border, buses and trains via Dongxing or Nanning are affordable alternatives.

• Flights: 2–3 hrs from Guangzhou/Shanghai → Hanoi/Hai Phong
• Visa requirement: Chinese passport holders need a Vietnam visa (e-visa available, $25)
• Sample airfare: $90–$150 round-trip (China Southern, VietJet, Bamboo Airways)
• Overland option: Nanning → Hanoi by train (8–10 hrs, ~$35)

2.6. From South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Jeju)

South Korea is one of the top sources of visitors to Halong Bay, with frequent direct flights to both Hanoi and Hai Phong. The flight duration is only around 4–5 hours, making weekend trips possible. Korean citizens benefit from a 15-day visa exemption, making travel hassle-free.

• Flights: Seoul/Busan → Hanoi/Hai Phong (4–5 hrs)
• Visa requirement: Korean passport exempt ≤ 15 days
• Sample airfare: $150–$250 round-trip (Korean Air, Asiana, VietJet, Jeju Air)

3. Tips for choosing the best way

With so many transportation options, you might be wondering what is the best way to visit Halong Bay. If you are on a tight budget, buses and trains are the cheapest. For those who value time, flights are the most efficient.

• Budget option → bus / coach
• Time-saving option → airplane + transfer
• Unique experience → seaplane from Hanoi
• Best for groups → private car

4. Recommended Halong Bay Tours with Sun Get Away

If you want to make the most of your Halong Bay trip, these carefully designed tours from Sun Get Away are great options:

• Halong Bay 1 Day Cruise – Incredible UNESCO Experience – Transfer by Limousine + Buffet Lunch: Perfect for those short on time, this one-day cruise includes round-trip limousine transfer and a buffet lunch, letting you enjoy Halong’s iconic scenery in comfort.
• 7 Days Northern Vietnam Tour: Hanoi, Halong, Sapa: A full week journey through Northern Vietnam, combining city life, mountain trekking, and an unforgettable Halong Bay experience.
• Northern Vietnam Delights: Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sa Pa 6 Days 5 Nights: A balanced itinerary that blends cultural immersion in Hanoi with natural wonders in Halong and Sapa.
• 5-Days Guided Tour of Northern Vietnam: Hanoi and Halong Bay: Ideal for travelers with limited time who still want a guided and stress-free experience of the highlights.

5. Conclusion

Today, reaching Halong Bay is easier than ever thanks to Vietnam’s growing transport network. Whether you are coming from nearby Hanoi, distant Ho Chi Minh City, or even overseas, there are multiple routes to choose from.

Each transportation method has its pros and cons, so travelers can decide based on budget, convenience, and preferences. From budget-friendly buses to luxurious seaplanes, you now know how to get to Halong Bay in the way that suits you best.

And if you’d rather skip the hassle of planning everything yourself, Sun Get Away offers flexible options, from classic tours like Hanoi–Halong–Sapa to customized itineraries tailored to your style. You can even reach out directly on WhatsApp if you need quick travel advice before your trip.