In Hanoi tourism, Halong Bay stands out as Vietnam’s most famous landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi, it features nearly 2,000 limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald waters in the Gulf of Tonkin. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Hanoi day trip circuits.
A day cruise is the most common way to experience it. You leave your Hanoi hotels around 7:30 to 8 AM and travel for about 2.5 hours to Halong City using the new expressway, which has reduced the journey from nearly 4 hours. Boarding usually happens around noon, followed by a 4 to 5 hour cruise experience.
Onboard, you enjoy a multi-course Vietnamese seafood lunch along with curated stops. The itinerary typically includes Sung Sot Cave, also called Surprising Cave, known for its three vast chambers filled with stalactites. You also get time for kayaking or bamboo boat rides at Luon Cave or a stop at Ti Top Beach. You return to Hanoi by around 8 to 9 PM, making it one of the most structured things to do in Hanoi for short-term travelers.
The natural scenery is the highlight of the entire journey. Sailing between limestone karsts in still waters, with only the boat’s engine breaking the silence, is often described as a deeply memorable experience and one of the defining moments of Hanoi tourism for many visitors.
For those wanting a quieter alternative, Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay offer less crowded routes compared to the main Halong circuits. These are increasingly recommended for travelers who want a more peaceful experience while still enjoying similar landscapes.
Reputable operators such as Indochina Junk, Bhaya Cruises, and Paradise are commonly used, with price differences reflecting boat quality, group size, and food standards. Day cruises operate year-round. The best time to visit Hanoi for this experience is October to April, when weather is cooler and photography conditions are clearer. Summer from May to September is warmer but may bring afternoon thunderstorms due to the typhoon season from July to September.