Overview
Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 170 km east of Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin, features around 1,600 limestone karst islands and jagged sea stacks rising from emerald waters — one of the most photographed seascapes in the world. The name means 'where the dragon descends to the sea,' and that mystical mood is the bay's greatest charm. The most popular way to visit is by junk-boat cruise — day trips and 1- or 2-night cruises let you sail among the islands, explore caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung, visit floating fishing villages, and kayak among the karsts. Day tour about VND 1,200,000-1,800,000 (lunch and shuttle included); overnight cruises from about VND 2,500,000. About 2.5 hours by car from Hanoi via the new expressway.
Opening Hours
Tours typically 08:00-17:00 (overnight cruises check in around 12:00)
🎟️ Check ticket prices →Travel Tips
Overnight cruises are vastly preferable to day trips — you get to enjoy night skies and sunrise. Typhoons in July-August may cancel cruises, so allow flexibility in your itinerary.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Hanoi, Vietnam from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Vietnam on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Hanoi on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Hanoi with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Hanoi 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Halong Bay Day Trip
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Hoan Kiem Lake
A scenic lake at the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, famed for the turtle legend and Ngoc Son Temple.
📍 138.9km away
Hanoi Train Street
Hanoi's iconic alley where trains thunder past houses with mere centimeters to spare.
📍 139.6km away
Things to Do in Hanoi
Hanoi Motorbike Tour
Hop on the back of a local riders motorbike to explore the Old Quarter, Train Street, Long Bien Bridge, and West Lake. Reach hidden alleys inaccessible on foot.
Water Puppet Show
Watch the 1,000-year-old Vietnamese water puppet tradition at Thang Long Theatre. Wooden puppets perform folk tales on water accompanied by live traditional music.
Bia Hoi Experience
Join locals on plastic chairs at Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter for fresh draft bia hoi, one of the world cheapest beers at VND 5,000-10,000 per glass.