How Much Does a Trip to Ha Long Cost? – Detailed Breakdown of Expenses

Ha Long Bay - a natural wonder of the world with thousands of limestone islands, mysterious caves, and emerald green waters has become a dream destination for many travelers both domestically and internationally. One of the most frequently asked questions when planning a trip is "How much does a trip to Ha Long cost??". This article from NVK Travel will analyze in detail the costs so you can proactively budget for a memorable trip to Ha Long.

What factors affect the cost of traveling to Ha Long?

Before diving into the details of each cost, you need to understand that the total cost of a trip to Ha Long will depend on many factors:

• Travel time: Peak season (April - August) and holidays usually have prices 20-30% higher than the low season.
• Length of stay: Costs will increase based on the number of days you stay in Ha Long.
• Mode of transportation: Taking a bus, private car, or flying to Van Don.
• Type of accommodation: From budget homestays to 5-star hotels or luxury cruises.
• Type of tour: Group tour or private tour, day tour or overnight tour on the bay.
• Dining needs: Eating at local eateries or high-end restaurants.
• Entertainment activities: Additional experiences like kayaking, diving, Sun World experiences...

Traveling to Ha Long during peak season costs 20-30% more than during the low season.

>>> See more: Ha Long Travel 3 Days 2 Nights - The Most Detailed Itinerary

Below is a detailed analysis of each cost for you to have the most comprehensive overview.

Transportation costs to Ha Long

From Hanoi to Ha Long

1. Bus

• Limousine: 250,000 VND - 300,000 VND/person/way
  • Reputable bus companies: Hoang Long, Green Lion, Phuc Xuyen
  • Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
  • Pick-up points: My Dinh, Gia Lam, Giap Bat
• Sleeper bus: 200,000 VND - 250,000 VND/person/way
  • Bus companies: Kumho, Phuong Trang, Quang Hanh
  • Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
  • Departing from My Dinh, Gia Lam bus station
• Regular bus: 100,000 VND - 150,000 VND/person/way
  • Time: 3.5 - 4 hours

2. Personal vehicles

• Fuel costs: About 400,000 VND - 500,000 VND/round trip (depending on the type of vehicle)
• Toll fees: About 100,000 VND - 150,000 VND/round trip
• Parking fees: 20,000 VND - 50,000 VND/day (depending on the location)

3. Taxi/Grab/Be

• 4-seat Taxi/Grab: 800,000 VND - 1,000,000 VND/way
• 7-seat Taxi/Grab: 1,200,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND/way

4. Airplane + shuttle bus

• Flight ticket Hanoi - Van Don: 600,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND/person/way
• Shuttle bus from Van Don airport to Ha Long: 300,000 VND - 400,000 VND/person/way

From Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Long

• Flight ticket Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi/Hai Phong/Van Don: 1,200,000 VND - 3,000,000 VND/person/round trip (depending on the booking time)
• Transportation costs from the airport to Ha Long: As mentioned above

Getting to Ha Long by plane is convenient

>>> See more: Ha Long Travel 2 Days 1 Night - Admiring the Majestic Beauty

Accommodation costs in Ha Long

Accommodation costs in Ha Long are very diverse, depending on the type, location, and services:

1. Hotels/Resorts on land

• 5-star hotel/Premium resort: 2,500,000 VND - 5,000,000 VND/night
  • Examples: Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, FLC Ha Long, Wyndham Legend Halong
  • Amenities: Infinity pool, spa, upscale restaurant, bay view
• 4-star hotel: 1,200,000 VND - 2,500,000 VND/night
  • Examples: Novotel Ha Long Bay, Royal Halong Hotel, Saigon Halong Hotel
  • Amenities: Pool, restaurant, gym
• 3-star hotel: 600,000 VND - 1,200,000 VND/night
  • Examples: Ha Long Dream Hotel, Ha Long Seoul Hotel
  • Basic amenities, convenient location
• 1-2 star hotel/Guesthouse: 300,000 VND - 600,000 VND/night
  • Clean rooms, basic amenities
• Homestay: 400,000 VND - 800,000 VND/night
  • Friendly space, close to local people

2. Overnight cruise on the bay

• 5-star cruise: 4,000,000 VND - 10,000,000 VND/person/night
  • Examples: Paradise Luxury Cruise, Emperor Cruises, Heritage Line
  • Experience: Luxury rooms, private balcony, jacuzzi, activities on board
• 4-star cruise: 2,500,000 VND - 4,000,000 VND/person/night
  • Examples: Pelican Cruise, Alisa Cruise, Stellar of the Seas
  • Experience: Beautiful view rooms, delicious food, many activities
• 3-star cruise: 1,500,000 VND - 2,500,000 VND/person/night
  • Examples: Oriental Sails, Swan Cruises
  • Experience: Standard rooms, basic activities

Note: Cruise prices usually include meals, some activities like kayaking and guides. However, drinks and some spa services are often charged separately.

At Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long premium

Tour costs for visiting Ha Long Bay

1. Group tour visiting the bay in a day (no overnight stay)

• 4-hour tour (Ha Long): 500,000 VND - 700,000 VND/person; Visit 2-3 spots: Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, Fishing Village...
• 6-hour tour (Ha Long - Lan Ha): 700,000 VND - 900,000 VND/person; Visit 3-4 spots, including a beach
• 8-hour tour (Ha Long - Lan Ha - Cat Ba): 900,000 VND - 1,200,000 VND/person; Combine visits to many spots, lunch on the boat

2. Private tour visiting the bay

• Rent a private canoe: 4,000,000 VND - 7,000,000 VND/canoe (10-15 people)
• Rent a traditional wooden boat: 3,000,000 VND - 5,000,000 VND/boat (20-30 people)

3. 2-day 1-night tour sleeping on the bay

As mentioned in the cruise section, prices range from 1,500,000 VND - 10,000,000 VND/person depending on the cruise class

4. Tour visiting the bay combined with nearby locations

• Ha Long - Yen Tu tour: Additional 500,000 VND - 700,000 VND/person
• Ha Long - Ninh Binh tour: Additional 800,000 VND - 1,200,000 VND/person
• Ha Long - Sapa tour: Additional 1,500,000 VND - 2,000,000 VND/person

Visit the bay combined with nearby locations

Costs for entrance tickets to tourist spots in Ha Long

• Entrance ticket to Ha Long Bay: 290,000 VND/person (includes insurance)
• Entrance ticket to Sung Sot Cave: 150,000 VND/person
• Entrance ticket to Ti Top Island: 70,000 VND/person
• Entrance ticket to Cua Van fishing village: 50,000 VND/person
• Entrance ticket to Luon Cave: 60,000 VND/person
• Entrance ticket to Sun World Ha Long Park:
  • Full ticket: 850,000 VND/adult, 650,000 VND/child
  • Queen Cable Car ticket: 500,000 VND/adult, 350,000 VND/child
  • Water park ticket: 450,000 VND/adult, 350,000 VND/child

Dining costs in Ha Long

1. Budget restaurants

• Breakfast: 30,000 VND - 50,000 VND/person; Pho, bun, porridge, banh cuon...
• Lunch/dinner: 80,000 VND - 150,000 VND/person; Local rice, bun cha, stir-fried noodles with seafood...

2. Budget seafood restaurants

Average cost: 200,000 VND - 300,000 VND/person; Dishes: Crab with tamarind, steamed clams, grilled shrimp, stir-fried squid...

3. High-end seafood restaurants

Average cost: 400,000 VND - 800,000 VND/person. High-end dishes: Lobster, king crab, abalone, giant clams...

4. Famous specialty eateries in Ha Long

• Ha Long banh cuon: 30,000 VND - 50,000 VND/portion. Famous addresses: Banh cuon Ba Thua, Banh cuon Hoa Binh.
• Ha Long nem chua: 60,000 VND - 100,000 VND/portion. Address: Nem chua Co To eatery, Nem chua Huong.
• Ha Long cha muc: 150,000 VND - 300,000 VND/portion. Address: Cha muc Co To, Cha muc Minh Duc.
• Ha Long sa sung: 300,000 VND - 500,000 VND/100gr. A rare specialty of the Ha Long coastal region.

Entertainment costs in Ha Long

• Kayaking: 100,000 VND - 200,000 VND/person/hour (if not included in the tour)
• Snorkeling: 250,000 VND - 400,000 VND/person
• Drone flying over the bay: 500,000 VND - 1,000,000 VND/flight
• Seaplane experience to view the bay from above: 3,000,000 VND - 5,000,000 VND/person (15-30 minutes)
• Bicycle rental: 80,000 VND - 150,000 VND/day
• Motorbike rental: 150,000 VND - 250,000 VND/day
• Spa, massage: 400,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND/person (depending on the service)

Souvenir shopping costs in Ha Long

• Canned cha muc: 180,000 VND - 250,000 VND/250gr can
• Dried squid: 400,000 VND - 600,000 VND/kg
• Dried sa sung: 3,000,000 VND - 5,000,000 VND/kg
• Cat Hai fish sauce: 80,000 VND - 150,000 VND/bottle
• Handcrafted souvenirs: 50,000 VND - 500,000 VND (depending on the product)
• Pearl jewelry: From 300,000 VND - several million VND (depending on size and quality)

Buy Cat Hai fish sauce as a gift

Total travel costs in Ha Long according to different budget levels

1. Budget travel in Ha Long (2 days 1 night)

• Transportation: Regular bus round trip from Hanoi: 200,000 VND - 300,000 VND
• Accommodation: Guesthouse/2-star hotel: 300,000 VND - 500,000 VND/night
• Tour: Shared tour 4-6 hours: 500,000 VND - 700,000 VND
• Entrance ticket: 290,000 VND (Ha Long Bay ticket)
• Dining: 6 meals x 100,000 VND/meal = 600,000 VND
• Other costs: 200,000 VND

Minimum total cost: Approximately 2,090,000 VND - 2,590,000 VND/person

2. Average travel in Ha Long (2 days 1 night)

• Transportation: Limousine round trip from Hanoi: 500,000 VND - 600,000 VND
• Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel: 800,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND/night
• Tour: Shared tour 8 hours: 900,000 VND - 1,200,000 VND
• Entrance ticket: 290,000 VND (bay ticket) + 150,000 VND (Sung Sot Cave) = 440,000 VND
• Dining: 6 meals x 200,000 VND/meal = 1,200,000 VND
• Entertainment: 300,000 VND - 500,000 VND
• Souvenir shopping: 300,000 VND - 500,000 VND

Average total cost: Approximately 4,440,000 VND - 6,040,000 VND/person

3. Luxury travel in Ha Long (2 days 1 night on a cruise)

• Transportation: Luxury car/taxi round trip from Hanoi: 1,000,000 VND - 1,500,000 VND
• 5-star cruise (including tour): 4,000,000 VND - 6,000,000 VND/person
• Entrance tickets: Included in the cruise price
• Meals: Included in the cruise price + 2 meals outside x 400,000 VND = 800,000 VND
• Additional entertainment: 1,000,000 VND - 2,000,000 VND
• Purchase of high-end souvenirs: 1,000,000 VND - 2,000,000 VND

Total high-end cost: Approximately 7,800,000 VND - 12,300,000 VND/person

4. Family trip to Ha Long (2 days 1 night, 4 people)

• Transportation: Private car round trip from Hanoi: 1,500,000 VND ÷ 4 = 375,000 VND/person
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel (2 rooms): 2,000,000 VND ÷ 4 = 500,000 VND/person
• Sightseeing tour: Private tour 6 hours: 4,000,000 VND ÷ 4 = 1,000,000 VND/person
• Entrance tickets: 440,000 VND/person (bay + Sung Sot Cave)
• Sun World tickets: 850,000 VND/adult, 650,000 VND/child
• Meals: 6 meals x 200,000 VND/meal = 1,200,000 VND/person
• Other expenses: 500,000 VND/person

All-inclusive family trip to Ha Long at NVK Travel

Average cost per adult: Approximately 4,865,000 VND/person Average cost per child: Approximately 4,665,000 VND/person

Tips to save costs when traveling to Ha Long

1. Travel during the low season:
   • September-November and January-March (excluding Lunar New Year)
   • Room and tour prices often decrease by 20-30%
2. Book tours and rooms early:
   • Book 1-3 months in advance to get the best price
   • Many hotels and cruises have early bird policies with discounts of 10-25%
3. Look for combo deals:
   • Flight + hotel combos are often cheaper than booking separately
   • Hotel + sightseeing tour combos also save costs
4. Share costs:
   • Travel in groups to share costs of car rental, private tours
   • Some hotels have family rooms cheaper than booking multiple separate rooms
5. Choose suitable transportation:
   • Buses are usually the cheapest option from Hanoi
   • If traveling in a group of 4 or more, renting a private car may be cheaper
6. Explore some points on your own:
   • Rent a motorbike to explore Ha Long city on your own
   • Combine a 1-day bay tour with free exploration on the remaining day
7. Hunt for last-minute tours:
   • Many cruises offer last-minute discounts to fill empty spots
   • You can save 20-40% on tour costs

Traveling to Ha Long has a variety of costs, suitable for different budgets. Depending on your needs, preferences, and financial capacity, you can choose a trip from 2 million VND (budget) to over 10 million VND (high-end) for 2 days 1 night. The important thing is to plan in detail, consider factors affecting costs, and choose the right time.

If you want a complete Ha Long trip without worrying about calculating costs, NVK Travel is ready to assist you with many service packages from basic to high-end. Contact NVK Travel today via the website nvktravel.com for detailed advice on the Ha Long trip that suits your budget.