If you are asking where is Halong Bay, the bay is easy to recognise from photographs and harder to place on a map. It is not in Hanoi, it is not on the open sea, and it is not a single stretch of water, but a scatter of limestone islands off the coast of northern Vietnam.
This guide places the bay on the map, gives the distances from Hanoi and the nearest airports, and shows where cruises start. It also covers the islands and caves, the neighbouring bays and the season, with the published details of Hermes Premium Cruises as a practical example.
Where is Halong Bay? It lies in Quang Ninh Province, northeastern Vietnam, on the Gulf of Tonkin, about 150 km and 2.4 hours by road from Hanoi. Cruises leave from Tuan Chau International Port, 170 km from Noi Bai Airport and 40 km from Haiphong Airport. IUCN counts some 1,600 islands and islets in the World Heritage property.
Where is Halong Bay on the map?
Halong Bay is in Quang Ninh Province in northeastern Vietnam, on the Gulf of Tonkin. The city of Hạ Long sits on its shore.
IUCN’s World Heritage Outlook places Ha Long Bay “in the Gulf of Tonkin”, managed by Quang Ninh Province, while the neighbouring Cat Ba Archipelago is managed by Hai Phong City. Wikipedia gives its centre as about 20°54′N 107°12′E, and lists Hạ Long, Cẩm Phả, Quảng Yên and Vân Đồn among the places along its shore.
| Halong Bay at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country and province | Vietnam, Quang Ninh Province |
| Water | Gulf of Tonkin |
| Approximate position | 20°54′N 107°12′E |
| Area | 1,553 km² including core and buffer zones, according to Vietnam News |
| Islands | Some 1,600 islands and islets (IUCN); Vietnam News reports 1,969 |
| Heritage status | UNESCO World Heritage, extended in 2023 to Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago |
Island counts differ because sources count different areas and different minimum sizes, so treat any single number as approximate.
On 16 September 2023, according to Vietnam’s national tourism website, UNESCO announced the new inscription of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago, which made it the first Vietnamese World Heritage site to span more than one province. Quang Ninh holds the bay, and Hai Phong holds Cat Ba, which lies south of it. Lan Ha Bay borders the bay to the south and southeast, and our guide to Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay explains how the two compare for a cruise.
How far is Halong Bay from Hanoi, and from the nearest airports?
Halong Bay is about 150 km from Hanoi, roughly 2.4 hours by car. From Noi Bai Airport it is 170 km, about 2.5 hours, and the nearest airport to the cruise pier is Haiphong, 40 km away.
These are the distances Hermes Premium publishes from its pier at Tuan Chau:
| From the Tuan Chau pier to | Distance | Time by car |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 150 km | About 2.4 hours |
| Noi Bai Airport | 170 km | About 2.5 hours |
| Haiphong Airport | 40 km | About 45 minutes |
| Nearest ATM and hospital | 3 km | Not published |
Vietnam’s tourism authority agrees on the time, describing the trip as “about two and a half hours by road from Ha Noi” along the expressway. Traffic, weather and the day of the week can stretch it, so add a margin if you have a flight the same day. Our guide to getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay covers the options in more detail.
For Hermes Premium, the road transfer is not part of the cruise price. A luxury bus or private car is booked separately, and a helicopter can be arranged on request.
🧭 Cruise Director’s Insider Tip:
If you are flying into Vietnam, check which airport is closer to your cruise date and your onward flight. Haiphong is 40 km from the pier, while Noi Bai is 170 km, so the airport you choose changes the day more than the ship does.
Where do Halong Bay cruises start?
Cruises board at a mainland pier, and Vietnam’s tourism authority names Tuan Chau and Bai Chay as the cruise ports. Always confirm the exact pier, because the name on your voucher decides where the car takes you.
Vietnam’s tourism authority says cruise transfers depart from Tuan Chau and Bai Chay. Hermes Premium embarks at Tuan Chau: its berth is G112, opposite No. 20, Tuan Chau International Port. Guests gather in a private lounge at Lot 20, where they receive a welcome drink and complete a quick check-in between 11:15 and 11:30, and the transfer boat leaves for the ship at 12:00.
The 2 Days 1 Night itinerary on Hermes Premium sets out the day on our 26-cabin ship, while the page for Hermes Premium Cruises lists its facilities. Our sister 18-cabin vessel Hermes Cruises also embarks from Tuan Chau Marina, offering nine all-balcony, all-jacuzzi suite categories on the Hermes Cruises cabins & suites page and a classic Halong Bay route on the 2 Days 1 Night itinerary on Hermes Cruises.
What is inside Halong Bay: islands, caves and neighbouring bays?
The bay is a field of limestone islands, with caves and marine lakes among them. IUCN calls it “the most extensive and best known example of marine-invaded tower karst in the world”.
In plain terms, tall limestone towers formed on land and were later flooded by the sea, which left the islands standing in the water. IUCN lists caves, marine lakes and both conical-peak and isolated-tower landforms among the features. Wikipedia adds that the limestone is about 500 million years old, with the present karst shaped since the Miocene.
🌿 Local Naturalist:
The islands look like mountains cut off from the shore, and that is close to the truth. Rain shaped the limestone over a very long time, and the sea later filled the valleys between the towers. Caves are the most delicate part, because their formations grow slowly and do not repair quickly.
Three stops on the Hermes Premium programme show different sides of the bay:
| Stop | What it is | Where it fits on Hermes Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Sung Sot Cave | A large limestone cave, known as Surprise Cave | Day 1, 14:30 |
| Luon Cave | A cave entered by kayak or bamboo boat, with a lagoon and monkeys | Day 1, after Sung Sot |
| Titov Island | An island with a beach and a 424-step climb | Last morning |
The 3 Days 2 Nights programme adds a day in Lan Ha Bay, with Trinh Nu Cave, kayaking and the beach at Ba Trai Dao.
When should you visit, and how does the geography affect planning?
September to November is the best period, according to Vietnam’s tourism authority, which describes autumn and spring as clear and calm. Summer is hot, with the chance of storms, and winters are cooler and drier.
Because the bay sits inside a sheltered island basin on the Gulf of Tonkin, daily forecasts help crews time every excursion smoothly. As VietNamNet reported, Quang Ninh province works with the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to provide localized weather bulletins across Halong Bay. Hermes states that its itinerary may be adjusted for weather and tide, so read the season guide before you choose dates. Our article on the best time to visit Halong Bay compares the months.
⚓ Captain’s Maritime Log:
The islands give the bay its sheltered character, while tides and breeze shape the timing of each stop. Daily port forecasts help the crew choose the calmest hour for every cave and island visit.
Is Halong Bay close enough for a short trip?
Yes, for most travellers it is a comfortable overnight trip from Hanoi. With about 2.4 hours each way by road, the 2 Days 1 Night programme fits one night on board without a long journey on either side.
Many travellers choose it for the sunset and sunrise on the water, with the Sundeck and the Infinity Pool of Hermes Premium to enjoy between stops. Families can use the same programme, since each Hermes cabin is listed for a maximum of two adults and one child under five. If you are comparing ships, our guide to choosing a Halong Bay cruise lists the questions to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Halong Bay in Vietnam?
Halong Bay is in Quang Ninh Province, northeastern Vietnam. It lies on the Gulf of Tonkin, with the city of Hạ Long on its shore. IUCN counts some 1,600 islands and islets in the property.
Is Halong Bay in Hanoi?
No, it is about 150 km east of the capital. The drive takes roughly 2.4 hours by car, and Vietnam’s tourism authority describes it as about two and a half hours by expressway. Most visitors reach it as an overnight trip from Hanoi.
Which airport is closest to Halong Bay?
Haiphong Airport is the closest to the Tuan Chau pier, about 40 km and 45 minutes by car. Noi Bai Airport near Hanoi is 170 km, about 2.5 hours. Choose the airport that matches your onward flight, and book road transport separately.
Is Halong Bay the same as Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba?
No, they are neighbours. Lan Ha Bay borders Halong Bay on the south and southeast, and Cat Ba Island lies south of it, in Hai Phong City. Since the 2023 extension, UNESCO lists Halong Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago together.
Where do Hermes Premium cruises depart from?
From Tuan Chau International Port, berth G112, opposite No. 20. Guests meet at the private lounge at Lot 20 for check-in between 11:15 and 11:30, and the transfer boat leaves at 12:00. The road transfer from Hanoi is booked separately.
When is the best time to see Halong Bay?
Vietnam’s tourism authority names September to November as the best period. Autumn and spring bring clear, calm days, while summer is hot with a chance of storms. Winters are cooler and drier, so choose your month by the weather you enjoy.
To plan an overnight cruise from Tuan Chau on Hermes Cruises or Hermes Premium Cruises, write to the team at [email protected] or start from the Hermes Cruises reservation page and the Hermes Premium reservation page.
