Independent travel expenses in Ha Long
Ha Long, located in Quang Ninh province, is famous for its majestic natural landscapes and numerous attractive tourist spots. Many people choose independent travel to fully explore the beauty of this place. Depending on the duration and nature of each trip, the cost of traveling to Ha Long will vary. Below is a summary of some minimum expenses for independent travel to Ha Long for your reference.
Transportation expenses
Traveling to Ha Long
From the capital Hanoi, it takes approximately 2 – 4 hours by bus to travel to Ha Long. Buses to Ha Long usually depart from My Dinh Bus Station, Gia Lam Bus Station to Bai Chay Bus Station in Ha Long. Ticket prices range from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND depending on the quality of the bus and the type of seat or berth. Additionally, you can reach Ha Long by various other means such as rental cars, buses, motorcycles, trains, or airplanes. For details on routes, travel times, and costs for each type of transportation to Ha Long, you can refer to this article.
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Traveling to Ha Long Bay by sleeper bus is a comfortable and convenient option.
Modes of transportation and sightseeing in Ha Long
The primary modes of transportation in Ha Long city are taxis or motorbikes, which are much more convenient than public transportation. Additionally, you can use Grab as it is quite popular in Quang Ninh province. Based on travel experiences in Ha Long, it is advisable to take a taxi if you have limited travel schedules, short distances between destinations, or if traveling in large groups, with children or elderly individuals. You can also rent a motorbike for 120,000 VND to 150,000 VND per day for more flexibility in exploring the area.
Ha Long is a coastal city, so besides exploring famous destinations on the mainland, don't forget to discover Ha Long Bay. Nowadays, tourists can rent boats to explore Ha Long Bay for around 340,000 VND per person, or opt for day cruises priced between 850,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND per person depending on the type of vessel.
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Hotel Expenses in Ha Long
Ha Long is one of the cities focused on tourism development, so accommodation services here are well-developed. Room prices vary depending on the area chosen by tourists, specifically:
- In Hon Gai: This area has many budget guesthouses and hotels. Prices range from 180,000 VND to 800,000 VND per night, such as Ngoc Anh Hotel (No. 39, 25/4 Street, Bach Dang Ward) and Hoang Long Hotel (LT24- Ha Long Street).
- In Bai Chay: A hub of hotels ranging from luxury to budget, with prices ranging from 200,000 VND to 2,500,000 VND per night. Notable options include Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, Ha Long Plaza Hotel (No. 8, Ha Long Street), Muong Thanh Grand Ha Long Hotel (Lot 20, Dong Hung Thang area), and Mithrin Hotel (Hoang Quoc Viet Street).
- At Tuan Chau Island: Offering two high-end accommodation services - resorts and villas, priced from 400,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND per night. Some recommended hotels are Tuan Chau Morning Star Hotel (Tuan Chau, Ha Long) and La Paz Resort Halong (Ngoc Chau Street).
A tip to save on Ha Long travel expenses is to visit during the weekdays. Typically, from Friday to Sunday, Ha Long tends to be crowded with tourists, resulting in higher room rates and possible full bookings.
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Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long
Cost of sightseeing and entertainment
Ha Long tourism, besides enjoying the natural scenery, tourists also have the opportunity to explore famous tourist spots and amusement parks like Sun World Ha Long Park. This can be considered the largest entertainment complex in Ha Long with 3 main areas: Dragon Park, Ha Long Water Park, and Ba Deo Amusement Area. Ticket prices for adults: 350,000 VND/01 ticket, children from 1 meter to 1.3 meters: 250,000 VND/01 ticket, children under 1 meter are free of charge.
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You can also visit Quang Ninh Museum with a ticket price of only 30,000 VND per person. Additionally, tourists can buy souvenir items for their family and friends at the night market in Ha Long. Note that the prices here are quite high because most customers are tourists, so you can bargain to get the items at your desired price.

Check-in at Sun World Ha Long Park
Food and Beverage Expenses
Visiting Ha Long means indulging in a paradise of delicious, fresh seafood dishes that are enticing and visually appealing. A meal at a seafood restaurant can range from about 1,000,000 VND per person depending on the restaurant and the number of dishes ordered. You can choose restaurants in areas like Bai Chay, Vuon Dao, and Hon Gai. These areas have many quality seafood restaurants offering good prices as well as street food stalls that tourists should not miss when visiting Ha Long. If you haven't already noted down the best and cheapest restaurants to try in this city, check them out here. And if you want to enjoy the famous street food of Ha Long, learn more in this article.

Dining in Ha Long
Depending on the itinerary and the entertainment needs of tourists, the cost of visiting Ha Long can vary. However, to summarize all the minimum expenses you need to pay when traveling independently to Ha Long in a budget-friendly manner, it will range from 2 to 4 million VND for a 2-day trip with activities such as exploring the bay and caves, enjoying Sun World Ha Long, or visiting Quang Ninh Museum.
Cost of Ha Long tours
If you lack experience in traveling or don't have the time to plan your trip, you can book all-inclusive Ha Long tours. Currently, there are many Ha Long tours available with diverse itineraries ranging from 1 day, 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights, etc., for you to choose from. With these tours, tourists will visit famous destinations with the most reasonable itinerary. Moreover, services such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are all included in the tour package, so you don't need to prepare much. The prices of Ha Long tours range from 950,000 VND to 3,890,000 VND depending on the program.
Furthermore, boat cruises are currently very popular and favored by many tourists for the novelty they bring. You can experience overnight stays on Ha Long Bay and explore the area with various exciting activities such as: enjoying the panoramic view of the stunning Ha Long Bay sunset from the cruise ship's deck, participating in kayaking, swimming in the bay, etc. You can refer to the most booked Ha Long Bay cruises such as Orchid Cruise, Azalea Cruise, Mon Cheri Cruise, etc.
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Ha Long Bay Cruises
For those who want to combine island exploration with city sightseeing and entertainment, you can consider Ha Long travel combo packages. These packages include both the cruise experience and hotel accommodation, making your trip more complete than ever.
Tips for Saving Money on Ha Long Travel Expenses
- It's advisable to book hotel rooms, transportation tickets, even tour packages early to get the best prices and avoid situations where services are overloaded or fully booked.
- To save on dining expenses, opt for budget-friendly eateries or local markets, which are also good choices. Eating at regular-priced restaurants can be quite expensive.
- Note that if you're planning to book a Ha Long Bay cruise tour, it's best to go during the summer season as this is when Ha Long cruises offer the best prices for Vietnamese tourists.
- Choose reputable travel agencies to book services. You can also seek recommendations from relatives, friends, thoroughly research information about the company, or read customer reviews to gather as much information as possible.
Above are the comprehensive expenses for traveling to Ha Long from A to Z. Hopefully, the article has provided you with useful information to prepare for your trip. Wishing you the most enjoyable and budget-friendly journey of exploring Ha Long!
Quynh Kiu
Image source: Internet
