Ha Long Overnight Cruises and Multi-Day Circuits

Spending a night or two on the water changes how Ha Long feels, because the day boats leave and the bay goes quiet. This guide covers the common overnight formats, what official fees apply, and how to plan around storms. Costs are in Vietnamese dong (VND), about 26,000 to the US dollar.

What a night on the bay looks like

On a two day, one night cruise you usually join the boat near noon, eat lunch under way and spend the afternoon on an excursion, such as a cave, a kayak stop or the beach at Ti Top. Dinner is followed on many boats by squid fishing from the deck. The next morning may begin with tai chi, then breakfast and a slow return to the pier by late morning. A three day, two night version adds a day boat into quieter water, in Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha, and returns to the main vessel at the end of the day.

Official overnight fees

The Ha Long Bay Management Board sets a sightseeing fee by route and by length of stay. Operators fold it into the cruise price, but it explains why prices differ.

  • VHL2: 550,000 VND for 24 hours, 750,000 VND for 48 hours.
  • VHL3 and VHL4: 500,000 VND for 24 hours, 650,000 VND for 48 hours.

The Board also lists these on its fee page . The Ha Long International Passenger Port adds a charge of 80,000 VND round trip, or 40,000 VND one way, from 1 July 2026.

Cruises that continue into Lan Ha

Since 20 April 2026, link itineraries run overnight from Ha Long into Lan Ha, with no day trip option. VOV reported the launch . Bhaya Cruises runs Au Co 1 on this link, and Ambassador Signature is another vessel in operation. Lan Ha is part of Hai Phong, so it adds an entry fee of about 120,000 VND for adults and 60,000 VND for children.

Getting there and combining Ninh Binh

Hanoi sits about 160 km from Tuan Chau, a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours by expressway. Limousine minibuses start at about 260,000 VND a seat, and the public bus takes around 3.5 hours. Onward to Ninh Binh is about 3.5 to 4 hours by road, so treat that as a half day of travel.

Choosing a safe boat

The UK government’s advice is to consider safety standards carefully before an overnight trip and to wear a life jacket on any boat. To follow it:

  1. Ask for the vessel registration and safety certificate.
  2. Find out whether the hull is steel or wood.
  3. Travel between October and April when the weather is clearer.
  4. Leave a buffer day if you visit between June and October.

Storm season runs May to November. Typhoon warnings can stop sailings or shorten a cruise. A national inspection of all 508 cruise boats was ordered in March 2026.

Reducing plastic

The bay has banned single use plastic for businesses since September 2019. Refillable water is supplied on board, and the crew will explain the rules.

Read more: Day trips from Ha Long for shorter excursions.

Search overnight stays on Booking.com .