Cruises

How Much Does a Ha Long Bay Cruise Cost?

Most overnight Ha Long Bay cruises cost between about US$120 and US$300 per person for the standard two-day, one-night trip in 2026. Budget boats start near US$105, mid-range four-star boats sit around US$145–250, and top-end boats run from roughly US$300 upwards. A day trip is cheaper at about US$25–90, while a three-day, two-night sailing usually starts around US$250. Almost every fare is quoted per person sharing a cabin, and most leave out drinks, tips and private transfers.

The range is so wide because "a Ha Long Bay cruise" covers everything from a basic day boat to a small boutique ship. Here is what each tier actually buys you, the extras that quietly push the final bill up, and how to tell a fair price from an inflated one.

What you'll pay, by cruise length

Day cruise (no overnight): roughly US$25–90 per person. You get four to six hours on the water, a seafood lunch, a cave or two and a short kayak or bamboo-boat ride. It is the cheapest way to see the bay, but you are on the busiest daytime route and back on the coach by late afternoon.

Two days, one night: about US$105 at the budget end, US$145–250 for a comfortable mid-range boat, and US$300 or more for the top tier. This is the classic Ha Long Bay cruise and where most travellers land — one night aboard is enough to see the bay empty out once the day boats leave.

Three days, two nights: from around US$250 for a mid-range boat up to US$800 on the best ships. The second night takes you into the quieter bays and well away from the crowds; it suits people for whom the bay is a highlight rather than a quick stop.

What the tiers actually get you

Budget, three-star (about US$105–160): a small en-suite cabin of 12–18m² with a window, buffet meals, a shared shuttle from Hanoi and a single route on the main bay. Perfectly fine for one night, but the food and cabins are basic and the boats are fuller.

Mid-range, four-star (about US$145–250): a larger cabin of 20–28m², usually with a private or French balcony, plated multi-course meals, included kayaking and tai chi, and quieter routes through Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay. For most people this is the sweet spot — a clear step up in comfort without the top-tier price.

Top-end, five-star and above (about US$300–600+): spacious balcony suites of 28–40m² or more, proper fine dining, a spa, and far fewer cabins on board. You are paying for space, service and a quieter route rather than a different view of the same karsts.

What's included — and what isn't

A quoted fare almost always covers your cabin, all meals while you are aboard (dinner, breakfast and a light lunch on a one-night trip), an English-speaking guide, the bay entrance fee of around US$12–13, drinking water, basic kayaking, and usually the shared shuttle transfer from Hanoi.

What it rarely covers — and what can add 15–30% to the headline price — is drinks (beer US$3–5, a bottle of wine US$25–60), crew and guide tips (budget US$3–5 per person per day plus US$5–10 for the guide), spa treatments (US$25–60), a private car in place of the shared shuttle (US$40–80 each way), and drinks packages (US$25–45 a day). A US$145 cruise often ends up nearer US$200 a head once you have had a few drinks and tipped the crew.

What makes one cruise cost more than another

Four things drive most of the difference: the cabin (its size, and whether it has a real balcony), the boat itself (age, size and how many cabins it carries), the route (the main Ha Long Bay is busiest, while Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long are quieter for much the same scenery, often at a similar or slightly lower price), and the season (roughly October to April is peak, and the shoulder months are cheaper).

One hidden factor is commission. Many booking sites earn a cut from the cruise lines and mark the fare up to cover it, so the same cabin can carry very different prices depending on where you book. We work the other way round.

Solo travellers, families and children

Cruising alone usually carries a single supplement of 30–50% on top of the per-person sharing rate, because cabins are priced on two people sharing. Children aged six and over are typically charged 50–75% of the adult fare, and a family cabin tends to cost around 1.5–1.8 times a single fare. If you are travelling as a family, it is worth asking about connecting or triple cabins, which not every boat offers.

How we come in

We are planners, not resellers, and we never take commission — so we have no reason to steer you toward the boat that pays us most rather than the one that suits you. We match the cruise length and tier to your dates, your budget and how the bay fits the rest of your Vietnam trip, and we will tell you honestly where the extra money is worth it and where it is not. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Ha Long Bay cruise for 2 days and 1 night?

Expect roughly US$105 per person at the budget end, US$145–250 for a comfortable mid-range four-star boat, and US$300 or more for the top tier — all per person sharing a cabin, before drinks and tips.

Are Ha Long Bay cruises worth the money?

For most travellers, yes, at the mid-range level. Below about US$100 a night the cabins, food and boats noticeably drop off, while the very top tier is more about space and service than a better view. If you are deciding how long to spend aboard, our guide to one night versus two goes into it.

What's included in a Ha Long Bay cruise price?

Usually your cabin, all meals aboard, an English-speaking guide, the bay entrance fee, drinking water, basic kayaking and a shared transfer from Hanoi. Drinks, tips, spa treatments and a private car are almost always extra.

How much does a day trip to Ha Long Bay cost?

A day cruise runs about US$25–90 per person including lunch, a cave and a short paddle. It is the cheapest option but also the busiest — here is whether a day cruise is worth it.

Is Lan Ha Bay cheaper than Ha Long Bay?

Prices are broadly similar for equivalent quality, and Lan Ha is often a touch less while being far quieter for much the same scenery. Our Ha Long vs Lan Ha vs Bai Tu Long comparison explains the trade-offs.