Bai Chay
Main tourist strip, beach, parks, easy tours
City hotel guide
Ha Long
Ha Long, located in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, sits approximately 178 km east of Hanoi and is renowned for the spectacular Ha Long Bay. Formed in 1993 through the merger of the former capital Hon Gai and the main tourist area Bai Chay, the city had a population of over 270,000 in 2019. Note that Ha Long ceased to exist as a provincial city on July 1, 2025, following administrative reforms. Despite this change, it remains a premier destination for travelers seeking to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site, offering unique coastal scenery and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
520Hotels
12Brands
7Programs
🕐 Asia/Bangkok · 💱 VND
Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Best time to visit
☀️ Best months: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
Jan20° / 14°💧46mm
Feb20° / 14°💧77mm
Mar25° / 19°💧29mm
Apr27° / 21°💧83mm
May29° / 24°💧171mm
Jun31° / 27°💧338mm
Jul32° / 27°💧224mm
Aug31° / 26°💧441mm
Sep30° / 25°💧287mm
Oct29° / 22°💧77mm
Nov27° / 21°💧39mm
Dec21° / 15°💧13mm
High/low are monthly means, 💧 is mean monthly precipitation (2022–23, Open-Meteo); green = comfortable & drier.
Where to stay
Hon Gai
Local east-bank city, markets and bay views
Tuan Chau
Resort island and major cruise marina
Hung Thang / Ha Long Marina
Newer waterfront hotels, condos, malls
Hong Hai–Hong Ha
Quieter east-side seafront near museum
Area guides are reference info (AI-assisted, web-grounded); never ranked by price or commission.
Getting there & around
From the airport
Van Don International Airport (VDO) is the closest airport, about 50 km from central Ha Long/Bai Chay; taxi, private transfer or prebooked hotel car usually takes about 45-60 min. Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong is another practical option, roughly 1.5-2 hr by car via expressway. From Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN), use a prebooked limousine bus/private transfer or connect via Hanoi bus operators; expect about 2.5-3.5 hr to Ha Long. There is no airport train or metro to Ha Long.
VDO airport guide (official info · terminals · lounges) →
Around the city
Ha Long has no metro and no tourist transit card. For visitors, taxis, Grab where available, hotel cars and short electric tourist carts in resort areas are the easiest city transport; local buses exist but are less convenient for first arrivals and luggage. Check your cruise pier before booking rides: boats may leave from Tuan Chau Marina or Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay. Staying near your pier or Bai Chay reduces cross-bridge taxi time.
🚆 Ha Long Railway Station
As of 2026-06-20 — confirm current schedules/fares with the operator.
Loyalty program coverage
Before choosing where to stay
Where to Base
Stay in Bai Chay for the highest concentration of hotels, proximity to the beach, and easy access to tour operators. Hon Gai offers a more local atmosphere with fewer tourist-focused amenities but provides a glimpse into daily life. Both areas serve as convenient gateways for boat trips into Ha Long Bay.
Getting Around
The city is located about 178 km from Hanoi. While specific airport codes are not provided, ground transportation is the primary mode of arrival. Within the city, distances between Bai Chay and Hon Gai can be significant; renting a motorbike or using taxis is recommended. Allow extra time for transfers to Ha Long Bay piers, especially during peak seasons.
Best Season
Spring (March-April) and Autumn (October-November) offer the most pleasant weather for exploring the bay. Summer can be hot and humid with rain, while winter may bring fog that obscures views. Plan your stay accordingly, ensuring comfortable clothing and early hotel bookings during peak tourist periods.
Nearby attractions
Bai Chay Bridge
bridge in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay
UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam
Dragon's Run
steel coaster
Ocean Park Ha Long
amusement park
Hòn Gai Church
church in Hạ Long, Vietnam
Cat Ba National Park
national park
Monument to Gherman Titov, Titov Island
monument in Titov Island, Vietnam
Dining
Nhà Hàng Anh Em Quán Hạ Long - Hải Sản, Lẩu & Nướng
Seafood
Nhà Hàng A Trần
Restaurant
Nhà Hàng Linh Đan Hạ Long
Seafood
Chill Beach Bar
Restaurant
Bonn Appetit
Seafood
Nhà hàng Toản Hường 2
Restaurant
Nhà hàng GREEN
Restaurant
Nhà Hàng Thuỷ Chung
Vietnamese
Attraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
See all guide-listed restaurants in Ha Long (Michelin / Black Pearl) →
Flights to Ha Long
Off-site flight search (affiliate link — no in-app checkout, no price shown).
Search flights to Ha LongMost-covered hotels in Ha Long
Ranked by verified records and coverage depth — never by price, never by commission.
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Royal Halong Hotel
5★0 recordsSparse
À La Carte Halong Bay
5★0 recordsSparse
The Yacht Hotel by DC
5★0 recordsSparse
FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort
5★0 recordsSparse
A La Carte Ha Long Bay Managed by TASECO
5★0 recordsSparse
D'Lioro Hotel & Resort
5★0 recordsSparse
THE WATSON PREMIUM HALONG HOTEL
5★0 recordsSparse
Lotus D'Orient Cruise
5★0 recordsSparse