How to get from
Halong Bay to Hanoi

About the Journey from Halong Bay to Hanoi

It’s easy to fall in love with the frenetic atmosphere of Hanoi.

Rich with culture, history, delicious food, and eclectic nightlife, Hanoi is an unforgettable gem. Wandering the streets, you’ll be overwhelmed by the chaotic traffic and distracted by the sights, smells, and sounds that inundate your senses.

You’ll easily connect with locals and fellow tourists eager to make friends and introduce you to unexpected wonders. Plus, there is no shortage of activities to fill up your days.

To navigate the 177-kilometer (110-mile) distance between Halong Bay and Hanoi, travelers can hire a private car or a minivan to luxuriate in peace on the two- to three-hour journey.

Budget-conscious travelers might opt for a bus complete with recliner seats to sit back and enjoy the views.

What is Hanoi like?

Hanoi is a fascinating mesh of ancient architecture and modern skyscrapers. Rounding each street corner introduces new sites to behold, with utter chaos ready to entice the eye.

It’s no wonder that the city attracts millions of domestic and international tourists every year.

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is the ideal location to start a Vietnamese adventure. It’s also the perfect base for jumping between the hotspots of Northern Vietnam, like Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang and, of course, Halong Bay.

Whether you’re visiting with a luxury or backpacker budget, Hanoi is waiting to delight you with its offerings.

Unmissable things to do in Hanoi

There is no shortage of incredible activities to enjoy while visiting Hanoi. Simply wandering the streets will conjure up no end of adventures, but here are some must-visit things to include in your itinerary:

• Watch the Than Long Water Pupper Show: This hilarious show tells stories about the Northern people’s customs and traditions through music and puppetry. It’s an amazing way to spend an afternoon, and you’ll leave desperate for more. Make sure to get the English audio guide so you can understand the full context of the show.

• Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter: This fascinating neighborhood is crammed with street sellers, open-air restaurants with tiny plastic stools, and endless foot traffic. Whether you’re looking for shoes, electronics, Chinese lanterns, or beauty products, a whole street is set aside for them. The quarter is where old clashes with modernity; you could spend days unearthing all its wonders.

• Visit Train Street: This narrow alley is world-famous for being an active train track that whizzes past trackside restaurants. Save your money and avoid buying a full meal here. Instead, get a quick drink and sit next to the tracks until the next train comes past.

• Go on a street food tour: Book a motorbike tour, and you’ll zip around the city on the back of a motorbike, trying all the best delicacies and classic Vietnamese dishes.

• Learn your history at the Museum of Hanoi. This building displays artifacts spanning Hanoi’s 1000-year-old history and is a fascinating visit for history buffs. 

• Sing your heart out in a karaoke bar: You can’t come to Vietnam without visiting a karaoke bar. It’s a must-do, and Hanoi is the perfect location to embrace the humiliation with a half-dozen beers in your system.

Pro tip: Remember to negotiate and confirm the price before taking a taxi or cycling taxi!

How long does it take to get from Halong Bay to Hanoi?

Traveling between Halong Bay and Hanoi takes approximately two to four hours.

Journey times vary depending on the amount of traffic and how often the driver stops for rest breaks.

Some buses also stop at random points for locals to board, elongating the journey.

The best things about the journey between Halong Bay and Hanoi

The 177-kilometer (110-mile) journey will whisk you away from the majestic UNESCO Halong Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago and immerse you in the multicultural capital of Vietnam, Hanoi.

The journey from Halong Bay to Hanoi is a peaceful one, slowly transitioning from peaceful countryside to chaotic city life. As the incredible shoreline gives way to high-rise buildings and scooters loaded with entire families, you’ll be ready to dive headfirst into Hanoi’s rich culture.

Traveling by road between cities, you’ll catch glimpses of the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s wild roads.

How to get from Halong Bay to Hanoi

To travel between Halong Bay and Hanoi, tourists have three options: bus, minivan, or private car. Depending on your mode of transport, the journey between these destinations will take anywhere from two to four hours.

By bus

Starting at the low price of $6, a bus is the best and most affordable way to get from Halong Bay to Hanoi.

Buses take anywhere between two and four hours to reach Hanoi, depending on traffic and how frequently the driver chooses to stop.

This option is often the most comfortable, too. You’ll have a reclining seat, whether you opt for a standard or VIP bus, and watching the countryside melt away as you edge closer to the city will make the time pass quickly.

Class options

Standard buses have:

• A/C

• Sometimes provide a W/C onboard, which can get dirty during a long-haul journey, so prioritize waiting for a rest stop

• Reclining seats

VIP buses have:

• Fewer seats

• Fully reclinable seats

• Privacy curtains

• USB charger points

• Occasionally, free WiFi

• A/C

• Often don’t have toilets on board due to space limitations 

Pro tip: Load up on snacks when taking the bus. The rest stops do provide hot meals, but the quality isn’t always the best, and it can be a risky choice with a Western stomach!

By minivan

A little more streamlined than its bigger cousin, the bus, the minivan is the quickest method of transportation. Traveling from Halong Bay to Hanoi takes about two hours by minivan.

Minivans also typically include pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation.

Unfortunately, due to the size of the vehicle, luggage space is limited, so don’t expect to bring multiple bags.

Prices start at $10. 

Rest stops are at the driver's discretion, so avoid drinking too much water! 

Pro tip: Hire a private minivan when traveling in a large group to get the best rates and to be able to specify your departure time and location. You can use the filter function on the booking page to find private rides.

By private car

If traveling alongside a bunch of fellow tourists is not your scene, hire a private car for the journey. Prices start at $36, so going by car to Hanoi from Halong Bay is the most expensive option but probably the most comfortable.

You’ll enjoy a peaceful journey with a friendly driver who will stop whenever you request. This option is ideal for families or small groups traveling together.

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

The best time to visit Hanoi is definitely from February to April and September to November.

Autumn and spring in Hanoi offer milder temperatures, perfect for meandering around the city and soaking up the city’s treasures.

Avoid visiting in the winter when temperatures can fall below 50ºF (10ºC) or in the summer when the heat soars to 82-95ºF (28-35ºC).

How many days should you spend in Hanoi?

You could spend months or even years in Hanoi and still find new gems to discover while navigating its labyrinth-like streets and soaring skyscrapers.

Slow travelers should rent an apartment and spend at least a month here to soak up its many treasures.

Budget backpackers or holidaymakers will need between three and seven days to make the most of a trip to Hanoi.

Where should I go after Hanoi?

After exploring Hanoi’s winding streets and chaotic beauty, you could head north to Ha Giang and conquer the world-famous Ha Giang Loop.

Or, you could take a bus to Sapa to hike into the mountains and marvel at the glorious rice terraces.

Perhaps you’ll be drawn to Ninh Binh to the south, where you can visit the magnificent Trang An Complex or enjoy a serene visit to Mai Chau.