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Two Thousand Islands Away
For Australians, northern Vietnam is one of the easiest long-haul escapes — and a Ha Long Bay cruise is the moment most travellers remember. Halong Bay Cruise lists the highest-rated ships sailing from Hanoi: 5-star overnight cruises with private balconies, quiet Lan Ha Bay lagoons for kayaking, and full-day cruises for tighter itineraries. Every departure is bookable online with live prices in your currency.
Check Today’s PriceNearly 2,000 jungle-topped karst towers rise straight out of emerald water — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape found nowhere else on Earth.
Paddle through rock arches into silent lagoons in Lan Ha Bay, swim from quiet beaches and walk through cathedral-sized limestone caves.
Sunset cocktails on deck, dinner under the stars and sunrise tai chi — staying overnight is when the bay is at its most peaceful.
The best-selling overnight Halong Bay cruise. A shuttle collects you in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and, by early afternoon, you are aboard a 5-star ship with your own balcony cabin. The route links the famous towers of Ha Long Bay with the quieter lagoons of Lan Ha Bay: kayaking, swimming, a cave visit, a cooking class and sunset on the sundeck, then tai chi and brunch on the way back. Balcony cabins sell out first — check availability early.
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The highest-rated Ha Long Bay luxury cruise with an overnight stay. The Elite ship pairs balcony cabins with an infinity pool on the top deck and a panoramic restaurant. Days are spent kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay, evenings floating in the pool as the limestone peaks turn gold — the most indulgent way to see the bay.
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The cruise with the most reviews in the region. An elegant 5-star ship sails from Hanoi into Ha Long Bay and on to Lan Ha Bay, where far fewer boats anchor. All meals on board, kayaking or bamboo boating, a beach stop and a cave visit are included — outstanding value for a night on the bay.
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For travellers who want the bay without the crowds. Bai Tu Long Bay, north-east of Ha Long, has the same dramatic scenery but almost no traffic. In a small group you visit a floating fishing village, paddle through quiet channels and spend the night in a bay where hardly another ship drops anchor.
Book This CruiseHa Long means “descending dragon”. Legend tells of a dragon family sent by the gods to defend Vietnam from invaders at sea: the dragons spat jewels and jade into the water, and they hardened into a maze of islands that wrecked the enemy fleet. Geologists tell a slower story — 500 million years of sea, rain and wind carving the limestone into towers, arches and caves. In 1288 General Trần Hưng Đạo lured a Mongol armada onto hidden stakes in the nearby Bạch Đằng River, one of the great naval victories in Vietnamese history. Fishing families still live in floating villages among the rocks. UNESCO listed Ha Long Bay as a World Heritage Site in 1994, and the neighbouring Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba archipelago joined the extended site in 2023. An overnight Halong Bay cruise remains the best way to understand why — once the day boats leave, the bay belongs to the few ships that stay.
Everything Australians ask before booking a Ha Long Bay cruise — flights, visas, seasons, prices and what to pack.
Fly into Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport — there are direct and one-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne, and one-stop connections from Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. From Hanoi, every cruise on this page includes or offers a 2.5-hour shuttle to the bay.
Yes. Australian passport holders apply online for a Vietnamese e-visa, valid for stays of up to 90 days. Apply at least a week before departure and always check the latest official entry rules.
A day cruise from Hanoi starts at roughly 60 to 70 Australian dollars per person. A 2-day overnight cruise on a 5-star ship with a balcony cabin usually costs around 170 to 280 Australian dollars per person, including meals and activities. The booking page shows the live price in AUD.
Australian summer holidays fall in northern Vietnam’s cool season. Expect 15 to 20 degrees, misty mornings and calm water — great for cruising, but pack a light jacket. For warm swimming weather, travel in April–May or October.
Most of the cruises listed here combine both. Ha Long Bay has the iconic island formations, while neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is quieter, with better kayaking and small beaches. A combined route gives you the best of both in one night.
It is strongly recommended. Sailings can be cancelled by the coast guard during storms (mainly July to September), and good travel insurance covers delays and medical needs. Most cruises here also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes for the cave walk, a light jacket for evenings and a dry bag for kayaking. Big luggage can usually be left at your Hanoi hotel — just bring an overnight bag.
Feedback from Australian travellers who sailed Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay on an overnight cruise or a day trip.
Chloe Mitchell
Flew Sydney to Hanoi and went straight to the bay. The balcony cabin was better than most hotels we have stayed in. Absolutely worth it.
Jack Thompson
We did Ha Long in January — cool and misty, which honestly made the islands look even more dramatic. Bring a jumper for the evenings.
Emily Nguyen
Took my parents for their anniversary. The crew decorated the table and made a cake. Such a thoughtful touch on a cruise this well run.
Ryan O’Connor
The kayaking in Lan Ha Bay was the standout. Calm water, rock arches and not another tourist in sight.
Sophie Walker
Booked the day cruise from Hanoi because we only had a week. Long day, but the buffet and the caves made it totally worthwhile.
Liam Patel
Super easy to book online and the shuttle picked us up right at our hotel in the Old Quarter. Zero stress from start to finish.
Short on time? These three top-rated day tours reach Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi or Cat Ba and are back the same evening.
The number-one water activity from Hanoi: a full day on the bay with lunch on board, kayaking, swimming and a cave visit.
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A comfortable luxury ship, a generous buffet lunch and the bay’s most famous islands — back in Hanoi the same evening.
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An active day from Cat Ba Island: cycle through a village, kayak around Lan Ha Bay, explore caves and have lunch on the boat.
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