National park · Vietnam
Bai Tu Long BayBái Tử Long Bay
Buy a day‑cruise ticket (≈500,000–1,500,000 VND per person) and set off from Hon Gai wharf; avoid the July‑Sept typhoon window and book early in the low‑season to skip crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
- Northern Vietnam ↗Most visitors need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam; check the current rule for your passport before booking flights.
- Northern Vietnam ↗Some border districts (parts of Ha Giang, Dien Bien) require a permit arranged locally; ask your guesthouse or tour operator.
At a glance
- Country
- Vietnam
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate area of 150 km² covering sea and islands; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Ha Long City
Bai Tu Long Bay offers a quieter karst seascape than Ha Long Bay, with day‑cruise routes to islands, caves and floating villages, and limited on‑shore walking trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2023Extension of Ha Long Bay World Heritage site.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2020
Approximate area of 150 km² covering sea and islands; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ha Long City.
Why go
- A quieter alternative to Ha Long Bay with similar limestone scenery.
- Day‑cruises let you see caves, floating villages and secluded beaches.
- Kayaking among the islands offers close‑up views of karst cliffs.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds
- FebCool, dry
- MarDry, pleasant
- AprWarm, clear skies
- MayWarm, sea calm
- JunHeat rises, occasional showers
- JulTyphoon risk, seas rough
- AugTyphoon peak, high seas
- SepStorm tail, improving
- OctDry, comfortable
- NovCool, clear
- DecCool, low crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds and marine lifeMar–May, Oct–Nov · Best spotting from boat decks. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Mangrove crabs and fishJun–Aug · Higher activity in warm months. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Van Don International Airport (VDO)
Taxi or shuttle 30 min to Hon Gai wharf, then board cruise.
≈45 min
From Ha Long city
Bus or taxi 20 min to Hon Gai wharf (Cảng Hòn Gai).
20–30 min
Open the page →
From Hanoi
Bus or train to Ha Long, then taxi to wharf.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Cái Rồng port
Ferry to island stops; often combined with cruise itineraries.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hon Gai wharf (Cảng Hòn Gai) | Main departure point for day and overnight cruises. | Open to public; tickets sold on site. |
| Island stops (e.g., Dao Ngoc Vung) | Caves, beaches, floating villages. | Accessible by cruise boat; some islands have limited footpaths. |
| Cam Pha town | Small town between Van Don airport and Ha Long; limited tourist services. | Road access; optional stop for supplies. |
Sketch map
- 1Ha Long city · Town≈20.950, 107.070Nearby city with accommodation.Map ↗
- 2Hon Gai wharf (Cảng Hòn Gai) · Gate≈20.950, 107.100Main departure point for cruises into the bay.Map ↗
- 3Cam Pha town · Town≈21.050, 107.450Small industrial town between Van Don airport and Ha Long, limited tourist services.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of Bai Tu Long Bay; island positions vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day‑cruise ticket (incl. lunch, kayaking, cave visit) | ₫500,000–1,500,000 (≈ US$20–60) | person | Price varies by boat class and operator (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cruise ticket permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park and aviation authority permission.check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no waste bins on islands.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited on islands and boats.
- Swimming
- Only in designated safe zones; beware of currents.
- Fishing
- Commercial fishing prohibited within the bay.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ha Long city hotels
Range from budget hostels to 4‑star hotels; 20 min from wharf.
In the park
Co To island guesthouses
Small bungalows on the island; limited services.
Safety
Typhoons high
Sea conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat boarding at Hon Gai wharf is wheelchair‑accessible with assistance.
- Island footpaths are uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators that follow the permitted boat routes and avoid waste discharge.
- Support local guesthouses on islands rather than large resorts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bai Tu Long Bay?
There is no park entry fee; you pay for a cruise ticket, typically 500,000–1,500,000 VND per person for a day trip (prices vary by boat class).
What are the best hikes in Bai Tu Long Bay?
The area is visited by boat; short walks on islands (e.g., Dao Ngoc Vung) are the main hikes, ranging 1–3 km and easy to moderate.
When is the best time to visit Bai Tu Long Bay?
Dry months March–May and October–November offer clear weather and calm seas; avoid July‑September due to typhoons.
Can I stay overnight on the islands?
Yes, a few guesthouses on Co To and Quan Lan islands offer overnight rooms; book in advance as capacity is limited.
Do I need a visa to travel to Bai Tu Long Bay?
Visa requirements follow Vietnam’s national rules; most US, UK, Canada, Australia citizens need an e‑visa or visa‑on‑arrival.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bai Tu Long Bay
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