Halong Bay 3 Day Itinerary For First-Timers

Itinerary 1: (Sunworld, Day Cruise, Museum)

Enjoy a fun day at the Sun World amusement park. Experience a two-day cruise and visit the museum in Halong Bay.

Summary:

• 1-day Halong Bay cruise. Discover the stunning beauty and splendor that the Bay has to offer.
• Visit Sun World, a world-class amusement park featuring two main areas: the coastal amusement complex and the top-rated amusement park at Ba Deo, all linked by a renowned cable car.
• Explore the Halong Museum, where numerous artifacts are displayed across three floors.

Note that the third day can be substituted with an additional day on a cruise.

Day 1 - Hanoi to Halong and Sun World

Morning:

• 06:00: The tour bus will pick you up at a designated meeting point. A brief stop will be made at Sao Do town before continuing the journey to Halong Bay.

Afternoon:

• 12:00: Arrive in Halong Bay and enjoy a delightful seafood banquet for lunch.
• 13:00: Check into the hotel, take a moment to relax and freshen up.
• 14:00: Visit Sun World Park in Halong Bay. The park is split into two sections: Bay Chay Beach side and the Ba Deo area, connected by a world-class cable car. Standing at nearly 190 meters high, it is the tallest cable car in the world, accommodating up to 230 passengers at once.
  • Bai Chay Beach side: Here you can find Dragon Park, the only theme park in Vietnam boasting over 30 thrilling attractions.
  • Ba Deo Area: Travel from the Ocean Station to Sun Station with the Queen's Cable Car. This is the sole route to the peak, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views of the park.

Evening:

• 19:00: Enjoy dinner around Bai Chay Beach. Spend the night in Halong Bay.

Day 2 - Halong Bay Day Cruise

Morning: 

• 06:00: Wake up early to catch the breathtaking sunrise and have breakfast at the hotel. 
• 07:45: Prepare for a one-day Halong Bay cruise. 
• 08:00: The cruise begins. The boat will stop at Thien Cung Cave, meaning "Palace of Heaven," and Dau Go Cave. The cruise will navigate through thousands of majestic karst islands, showcasing the grandeur of the bay. Other stops include Dragon Rock Island, Ga Choi Islet, and Con Coc Islet.

Afternoon:

• 12:00: Enjoy lunch at the onboard restaurant and take some time to relax. 
• 16:00: Transfer to Bai Chay Beach to enjoy swimming, partake in water activities, or simply bask in the sun.

Evening:

• 19:00: Dine at a local restaurant and return to your hotel for the night.

Day 3 - Museum and Return to Hanoi

Morning: 

• 08:00: Have breakfast at the hotel and then head to the Quang Ninh Museum. Opened in 2014 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Quang Ninh province, the museum is home to numerous artifacts displayed over three floors. After the museum, take a trip to the Halong Market for some souvenir shopping.

Afternoon:

• 12:00: After checking out of the hotel, have lunch, and enjoy some free time before heading back to Hanoi. Check out of the hotel. At 14:30: Depart for Hanoi with a stopover in Hai Duong.

Evening:

• 18:30: Arrive in Hanoi. Take time to relax and reflect on a wonderful trip.

Recommended Hotels in Hanoi: Hanoi Marvellous Hotel & Spa. Address: 55 Đường Thành, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. Phone: 024 3266 9240. Room Price: Approximately 1,200,000 VND per night. Rating: 4.7 out of 5.

Itinerary 2: (3 Day Cruise in Halong Bay)

"Itinerary 2" will be a full 3-day cruise in Halong Bay. We’ll head in a different direction upon leaving the harbor to explore Bai Tu Long Bay. This itinerary allows ample time to fully experience the bay, blending excitement with relaxation.

Summary:

• Embark on a cruise through the serene Bai Tu Long Bay, with opportunities for kayaking and swimming.
• Visit the Vung Vieng Fishing Village and Thien Canh Son Cave.
• Return to Halong Bay, with a stop at Yen Duc Village to enjoy a traditional water puppet show.

Day 1: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Morning:

• 07:30: Pick up at your hotel or an agreed meeting point.

Afternoon:

• 12:30: Arrive at the Halong Bay cruise terminal.
• 13:00: Board the cruise and enjoy a refreshing welcome beverage.
• 13:30: Lunch on board while soaking in the stunning views of Bai Tu Long Bay.
• 15:30: Enjoy kayaking among the magnificent islands or relax on the beach.
• 17:30: Return to the boat to freshen up and take in the sights.

Evening:

• 19:00: Dinner on board, featuring the must-try 'drunken shrimp'—a delightful regional specialty.
• 20:30: As night falls, consider squid fishing, or simply enjoy time with loved ones.

On clear nights, we recommend going to the top deck for stargazing.

Day 2: Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay

Morning:

• 07:00: Start the day with Tai Chi on the upper deck.
• 08:00: Breakfast served as the boat sails to Vung Vieng Fishing Village.
• 9:30: Visit the fishing village in a traditional rowboat.
• 11:30: Explore the Thien Canh Son Cave.

Afternoon:

• 12:30: Enjoy a BBQ lunch on the beach.
• 15:00: Return to the boat and cruise to Hai Quan for more kayaking opportunities.

Evening:

• 19:00: Dinner served after a fulfilling day of exploration.
• 20:30: Enjoy a night of fishing, if you missed it the previous evening.

Share quality moments with old and new friends.

Day 3: Visit Yen Duc Village and return to Hanoi

Morning:

• 07:00: Wake up to coffee or tea, along with breakfast on the boat.
• 9:30: Head back to the harbor, enjoying the stunning sights along the way.
• 10:30: A buffet will be served before disembarkation.
• 11:30: Visit the traditional agricultural Yen Duc Village to learn about local customs.

Afternoon:

• 13:30: A water puppet show performed by local artists.
• 14:30: Depart for Hanoi.

Evening:

• 18:00: Arrive back in Hanoi, cherishing the wonderful memories made during the past three days.

Recommended cruises: For this itinerary focused on Bai Tu Long Bay, we recommend Indochina Junk and Swan Cruise, as they are among the leading operators in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Itinerary 3: (Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba Island)

This 3-day itinerary will take you from Hanoi to the breathtaking Cat Ba Island, exploring the wonders of Halong Bay along the way.

Summary:

• Depart from Hanoi early in the morning and join a cruise on Halong Bay later that day.
• The cruise spans two days, with a drop-off on Cat Ba Island in the afternoon of the second day.
• On the final day, explore Cat Ba National Park before taking a speedboat to Hai Phong, then returning to Hanoi.

Day 1 - Hanoi to Halong Bay

Morning:

• 08:00: Depart Hanoi at 8 a.m. for a scenic 4-hour bus ride to Halong Bay.

Afternoon:

• 12:00: Arrive in Halong Bay, enjoy lunch, and unwind after the long journey.
• 13:00: The cruise sets sail. Take in the stunning views of Halong Bay, with opportunities for kayaking and swimming. Stop at Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest cave systems in Halong Bay, followed by time to relax on the beach.

Evening:

18:00: Freshen up and prepare for dinner.

19:00: Relish a delightful banquet featuring a variety of dishes aboard the boat.

20:00: Enjoy the serenity of Halong Bay at night. Overnight stay on the boat.

Day 2 - Halong Bay to Cat Ba Island

Morning:

• 08:00: Rise and have breakfast on the boat. Savor a cup of coffee or tea on the deck, getting ready for another incredible day. The boat will sail toward Cat Ba Island.
• 09:00: Relax as the boat navigates through Halong Bay and into Lan Ha Bay.

Afternoon:

• 12:00: Enjoy lunch on the boat.
• 14:00: Arrive at Cat Ba Island, where a bus will transport you to your hotel. Freshen up and take some time to relax.
• 15:00: Head to the beach for water activities or simply lounge in the sun.
• 17:00: Return to the hotel to prepare for the evening.

Evening:

• 18:00: Visit Cannon Fort, located north of Cat Ba town, to witness a beautiful sunset.
• 19:30: Dinner time. Savor the local fresh seafood available on Cat Ba Island.

Day 3 - Cat Ba National Park / Speedboat to Hai Phong / Back to Hanoi

Morning:

• 08:00: A big day ahead! On the third day, visit Cat Ba National Park. Be sure to have a hearty breakfast.
• 09:00: Board the bus to the national park.
• 10:00: Discover the natural beauty of Cat Ba, including flora and fauna. Visit caves that once served as military hospitals during the war.

Afternoon:

• 14:00: Return to Cat Ba town.
• 15:00: Take a speedboat back to Hai Phong, Vietnam's largest seaport. The trip takes approximately one hour.
• 16:30: Arrive in Hai Phong and board the bus for the journey back to Hanoi, which should take around two hours.

Evening:

• 19:30: Arrive back in Hanoi. Take a moment to reflect on the amazing experiences and memories you've created.

Travel Tips:

• Always carry your passport, as registration with local authorities is required.
• Space on the boat is limited; avoid overpacking.
• Bring swimwear for swimming opportunities.
• No matter the season, always pack sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Recommended cruises: For this itinerary visiting Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay, we suggest checking out Orchid Cruises, Peony Cruises, and Era Cruises.