Halong Bay vs. Lan Ha Bay - Which one to visit?

Where are Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay is off the coast of Halong City in Quang Ninh Province, in the Northeast of Vietnam. Steeped in the legend of the "descending dragon," Halong Bay covers approximately 1,553 square kilometers and features nearly 2,000 islands and islets that resemble dragons landing. Recognized by UNESCO for its aesthetic value in 1994 and its archaeological significance in 2000, Halong Bay has gained worldwide fame, attracting countless visitors each year.

 Ha Long Bay

Adjacent to Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay lies to the east of Cat Ba Island, the second largest tourist archipelago in Vietnam, in Hai Phong Province. Lan Ha Bay features about 400 stunning limestone islands of diverse shapes. Although smaller at around 70 square kilometers, its untouched beauty earned it membership in the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (MBBW) in May 2020, further enhancing its appeal to travelers.

 Lan Ha Bay

Is it easier to get to Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay?

Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay can be easily accessed from Hanoi, with numerous package tours offering inclusive transfers.

Located around 130 kilometers from central Hanoi and 24 kilometers from Cat Bi Airport, Lan Ha Bay can be conveniently reached via Got Pier in Hai Phong. The journey takes about 2 hours from Hanoi and 40 minutes from Cat Bi Airport. Taxis and cars are readily available for hire.

To visit Halong Bay, you can travel to either Tuan Chau Marina or Halong International Cruise Port (operated by SunGroup) in Quang Ninh. The journey from Hanoi takes approximately 2.5 hours, while it is a little over 1 hour from Van Don Airport. If you fly into Hai Phong and wish to visit Halong, it is just a one-hour drive to the bay.

Tuan Chau Marina

What do Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay offer?

Caves

Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay are rich in caves and grottos. Adventure seekers interested in exploring vast caves and learning about their geological and archaeological importance will find Halong Bay to be the superior option. Some notable caves include Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave), the largest in Halong Bay, Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave), Trinh Nu (Virgin Cave), and Me Cung (Maze Cave). Visitors can walk through these caves, admiring the wave-like formations of their ceilings, the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, and climb to higher vantage points for stunning views over the bay.

 Sung Sot Cave

In contrast, the caves in Lan Ha Bay are primarily underwater and, while smaller than those in Halong, were formed millions of years ago and are adorned with beautiful stalactites. While hiking through these caves is not possible, visitors can enjoy kayaking or taking a sampan boat to explore and appreciate the breathtaking lagoon views. Dark-Bright Cave is a must-visit in Lan Ha Bay.

Dark and Bright Cave - Photo: @saigontoursas

Beaches

Beach enthusiasts will find larger and more touristy beaches in Halong Bay, while Lan Ha Bay offers smaller, more pristine, and private beaches. Titov and Soi Sim are two of the most popular sandy beaches in Halong Bay, while Ba Trai Dao and Van Boi Beach stand out as the most beautiful spots in Lan Ha Bay. Although Titov and Soi Sim are surrounded by numerous islands and boast extensive docking facilities for various sizes of boats, making them more crowded, their soft sandy beaches and stunning 360-degree views make them worth visiting.

Titov Island

In contrast, the beaches in Lan Ha Bay have fewer crowds due to their remote location and accessibility limited to favorable weather conditions. Beaches like Ba Trai Dao, Van Boi, and other less-known spots are characterized by white sand, clear water, and cleanliness, making them ideal for swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing in tranquility away from noise and disturbances.

Ba Trai Dao Beach - Photo: @wlgoexploring

Floating fishing villages

Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay are not only famous for their breathtaking scenery but also for their well-preserved traditional culture, particularly through floating fishing villages. Halong Bay is renowned for Cua Van Fishing Village, honored as one of the 16 most beautiful ancient villages in the world by Journeyetc.com in 2012. Meanwhile, Lan Ha Bay wows visitors with Cai Beo Village, one of the largest and most significant floating villages in Asia. Other villages such as Ba Hang and Tung Sau also provide insight into the traditional floating lifestyles of fishermen, featuring floating houses sheltered by rocky mountains and bamboo boats as primary means of transport.

Cai Beo Village

Cruising

The popularity of cruise trips on both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay can be overwhelming, with a wide selection of options available. Guests can choose from day trips to overnight stays, as well as budget-friendly 3-star cruises to luxurious 5-star experiences, utilizing either traditional or modern boat designs.

 Cruising on Lan Ha Bay

Halong Bay, being more popular and well-known, offers nearly 500 boats catering to an enormous number of visitors each year. Conversely, Lan Ha Bay has markedly fewer overnight boats and only a handful of day cruise options. If you do not mind larger crowds and seek to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site with diverse attractions, Halong Bay will impress you. However, if you seek a unique and peaceful experience in an idyllic setting, Lan Ha Bay could become the highlight of your journey. Choosing between the two entirely depends on your preferences and priorities.

To sum it up

For those who wish to experience prominent sights and a busy itinerary, Halong Bay is the ideal choice.

If relaxation in a peaceful and serene environment is your goal, be sure to head to Lan Ha Bay instead.