How To Travel From Da Nang To Halong Bay

Distance from Danang to Halong Bay

Located in Central Vietnam, Danang is a beautiful coastal city, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The distance from Danang to Halong Bay is approximately 904km (561 miles). The total transfer time by land route is about 16 hours while it takes only 1.5 hours to fly from Danang to Hanoi or Hai Phong and another car drive to reach Halong Bay.

How to get from Danang to Halong Bay

Halong Bay can be accessible from Danang by air, local bus, or train and the fastest way is taking a flight from Danang to Hanoi or Hai Phong City. 

By air

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Price: 38 - 59 USD/per person/one way

The quickest and most convenient means of transportation to transfer from Danang to Halong Bay is by airplane. Because there is no direct flight route from Danang to Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh Province, you need to either fly to Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) (170km away from Halong Bay) or Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong City) (60km away from Halong Bay). The domestic flight is provided by Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet Air with a duration of only 1.5 hours.

If you choose to fly to Hanoi, you have to arrange a further 3.5-hour private transfer (private car or taxi) or take a shuttle bus to Halong Bay following Hanoi - Hai Phong Expressway. Meanwhile, upon reaching Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong City, it takes only one hour to drive to the bay.

Danang - Hanoi

Danang - Hai Phong

By local bus

• Duration: 16 hours
• Price: 17 - 20 USD/per person/ one way

This mode of transport is best suited if you are seeking a money-saving way of transfer from Danang to Halong Bay. It takes almost one day with a sleeper bus and you should book a 45-seater bus fully equipped with meals included, sleeping berths, blankets, and bottles of water for a comfortable ride. There are several reputable bus providers on the Danang - Quang Ninh route namely Luc Tung and Viet Son Anh Bus that you can either book online or buy tickets at the bus station.

By train

• Duration: 16 - 18 hours
• Price: 25 - 45 USD/per person/ one way

Taking a train is a suitable option if you are not pressed for time and don’t mind further transfer to Halong Bay. It is easy to check for daily trains from Danang Train Station to Hanoi Train Station. Additionally, this way of transfer can fit different types of travelers thanks to its wide range of prices. For instance, it costs less than 25 USD for a seat without meals while the price for a soft berth with meals is about 45 USD.

Once you arrive in Hanoi, you can easily take a private car or shuttle bus to Halong Bay with a cost of around 15-20 USD/ per pax/ one way.

Travel time and price comparison

Pros and cons