Hanoi to Halong Bay looks simple on a map: one road east, about 150 km, a little under two and a half hours by car. On cruise day the detail matters more than the distance, because check-in at the lounge runs from 11:15 to 11:30 and the transfer boat leaves for the ship at 12:00.
This guide covers distances, transfer options for Hermes Premium Cruises, what happens at Tuan Chau, and a short checklist for passports, visas and luggage.
Hanoi to Halong Bay is about 150 km, or roughly 2.4 hours by road, to Tuan Chau International Port, where Hermes Premium Cruises berths at G112 opposite Lot 20. Guests check in at the Hermes lounge at Lot 20 between 11:15 and 11:30, and the transfer boat leaves for the ship at 12:00. The Hanoi to Ha Long road transfer is not included in the cruise price.
Hanoi to Halong Bay distance and drive time to Tuan Chau
Halong Bay is about 150 km from Hanoi, roughly 2.4 hours by car, according to Hermes Premium’s own figures. Vietnam’s national tourism website says about two and a half hours by road, and independent guides allow up to 3.5 hours when traffic is heavy.
| From | Distance to Tuan Chau | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 150 km | About 2.4 hours |
| Noi Bai Airport | 170 km | About 2.5 hours |
| Hai Phong Airport | 40 km | About 45 minutes |
| Nearest bank/ATM and hospital | 3 km from the port | A few minutes by car |
Most of the journey runs on the Hanoi to Ha Long expressway, which Vietnam Tourism says opened in 2018. The same source warns that the final stretch into Ha Long City can add 20 to 30 minutes of stop-and-go traffic, which is why the 2.4-hour figure is best read as a good-day estimate.
Check the port too. Vietnam’s national tourism website notes that cruise transfers depart from both Tuan Chau and Bai Chay. Hermes Premium uses Tuan Chau: berth G112, opposite No. 20 at Tuan Chau International Port.
Your transfer options: shuttle bus, private car or helicopter
Hermes Premium offers a shuttle bus, a private car on request and a helicopter on request for the trip between Hanoi and Tuan Chau. Hanoi to Ha Long transport is not included in the cruise price, so choose the option you want when you reserve.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle bus | Morning pick-up from Hanoi; the itinerary lists a refreshment stop of about 20 minutes on the way | The team confirms the exact pick-up time with you |
| Private car | Arranged on request | Suits families, small groups and guests with a tight flight |
| Helicopter | Arranged on request | Ask the team for availability for your date |
| Independent arrival | Make your own way to Tuan Chau | Go straight to the Hermes lounge at Lot 20 |
The 2 Days 1 Night itinerary describes the optional Hermes limousine pick-up from hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter, followed by the refreshment stop and arrival at the lounge. The vehicle we show below is a Univer DCar, the limousine-style service that can be booked as an add-on. Our transportation page lists the vehicle types, and the price guide explains what the cruise price covers.
🧭 Cruise Director’s Insider Tip:
Decide on your transfer when you reserve, not at the lounge. An early decision gives the team time to confirm your pick-up. With children or a lot of luggage, a private car is the least stressful option.
From Noi Bai or Hai Phong airport straight to Tuan Chau
Noi Bai Airport is 170 km and about 2.5 hours from Tuan Chau, while Hai Phong Airport is 40 km and about 45 minutes away. Hai Phong is the quicker airport for a Halong Bay cruise when your flight allows it.
Work backwards from the lounge. Check-in runs from 11:15 to 11:30, so the table below counts back from 11:15 using Hermes’s own drive times. It is our arithmetic, not a Hermes rule, and it assumes no queues at immigration or baggage reclaim.
| Arriving at | Drive time | Latest time to leave the airport (with a margin) |
|---|---|---|
| Noi Bai Airport | About 2.5 hours | About 08:30 |
| Hai Phong Airport | About 45 minutes | About 10:15 |
In practice a flight into Noi Bai needs to land well before 07:00 to leave the airport by 08:30, once passport control and bags are counted. If your flight lands later, consider a night in Hanoi or ask the team about a private car or helicopter on request. Both ships in our fleet — the 18-cabin Hermes Cruises (detailed on the Hermes Cruises cabins & suites page and the 2 Days 1 Night itinerary on Hermes Cruises) and the 26-cabin Hermes Premium Cruises (described on the Hermes Premium vessel page) — depart from Tuan Chau Marina.
Arriving at Tuan Chau: the Hermes lounge at Lot 20, check-in and the tender
On arrival, go to the private Hermes Premium lounge at Lot 20, Tuan Chau Marina, between 11:15 and 11:30. You receive a welcome drink and complete a quick check-in, and the transfer boat to the ship leaves at 12:00.
- 11:15 – 11:30: Arrive at the Hermes lounge at Lot 20, Tuan Chau Marina.
- Welcome drink and quick check-in: Keep your passport and booking details to hand.
- 12:00: Board the transfer boat to Hermes Premium, berthed at G112 opposite Lot 20.
- On board: Another welcome drink, then the Cruise Manager introduces the itinerary, the onboard activities and the safety regulations.
- Afternoon: After lunch the ship sails into the bay, and the first shore visit on Day 1 is at 14:30 (Sung Sot Cave, followed by Luon Cave).
⚓ Captain’s Maritime Log:
The 11:15 to 11:30 window exists so that everyone is checked in before the 12:00 transfer boat leaves. A late arrival can hold up the briefing and the afternoon for the rest of the ship, so leave a margin, especially on the road.
Timing, traffic and the return trip to Hanoi
Plan for 2.4 to 3.5 hours on the road depending on traffic, and keep the return day flexible. On the last morning, guests disembark at Tuan Chau at about 10:30 to 10:45, and the team confirms the vehicle time back to Hanoi.
The last morning follows a fixed sequence. At 09:30, guests leave luggage outside their cabin door and the crew take it ashore after the trip. At 09:45, brunch is served while the ship sails to Tuan Chau, and staff process any extra payments at the restaurant. Disembarkation is at 10:30 to 10:45, and guests can wait in the Hermes waiting area.
Return times depend on traffic and on the vehicle you choose, so avoid booking a tight connection on the same day. A flight out of Hanoi in the evening, or one more night in the city, leaves comfortable room. The Hermes programme also states that the itinerary may be adjusted for weather and tidal conditions, and our best time to visit Halong Bay guide explains which months are calmest.
Pre-departure checklist: passport, visa and luggage
Carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, check your visa or e-visa needs before you fly, and pack one soft bag for the ship. Cash is easier to arrange in Hanoi, because the nearest bank or ATM is 3 km from the port.
| Item | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for six months beyond entry, with two blank pages | Vietnam’s national tourism website lists both requirements |
| Visa | Apply for an e-visa online or check whether your nationality is exempt | The same page gives e-visas up to 90 days and 3 to 5 working days for processing, and 45-day exemptions for listed countries |
| Health | See a doctor at least a month before the trip | The CDC’s Vietnam page recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination for most travelers |
| Luggage | One soft bag; leave it outside the cabin door at 09:30 on the last day | The crew carry it ashore after the trip |
| Money | Withdraw cash in Hanoi | Personal expenses, spa and massage are not included in the cruise price |
| Questions | Browse the Hermes FAQ page | Quick answers before you write to the team |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How far is Hanoi from Halong Bay?
About 150 km to Tuan Chau International Port. That is roughly 2.4 hours by car, according to Hermes Premium’s own figures. Vietnam’s national tourism website says about two and a half hours by road, and independent guides allow up to 3.5 hours with traffic. Noi Bai Airport is 170 km away, about 2.5 hours.
Is the Hanoi to Halong Bay transfer included in the cruise price?
No, Hanoi to Ha Long transport is excluded. A luxury bus or limousine can be booked as an add-on, and a private car or helicopter is available on request. Meals on the programme, sightseeing fees, kayaking, a welcome drink and onboard insurance are included in the cruise price itself.
What time should I arrive at Tuan Chau?
Between 11:15 and 11:30 at the Hermes lounge, Lot 20. You receive a welcome drink and a quick check-in, and the transfer boat to the ship leaves at 12:00. Leave a margin for traffic, because the final approach into Ha Long can be slow.
Can I travel from Noi Bai Airport straight to Tuan Chau?
Yes, but plan the timing carefully. Noi Bai is 170 km and about 2.5 hours from the port, so a morning arrival must land early enough to leave the airport by about 08:30. Hai Phong Airport is only 40 km, about 45 minutes, and may suit later flights.
Where is the Hermes Premium berth and lounge?
The berth is G112, opposite No. 20, Tuan Chau International Port. The private Hermes lounge is at Lot 20, Tuan Chau Marina, and the transfer boat takes guests from there to the ship. The team checks guests in at the lounge.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam before my Halong Bay cruise?
It depends on your nationality. Vietnam’s national tourism website lists e-visas for all nationalities, valid up to 90 days, and a 45-day visa exemption for citizens of listed countries. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond entry. Check the current rules before you fly.
To arrange your transfer and reserve a cabin 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.
