Recommendations for Hanoi and Halong Bay

Hello fellow travelers! We’re planning to visit Vietnam at the end of 2025, arriving in HANOI, which we’d like to explore, along with HALONG BAY. I’ve seen that the ideal option is to take a 2-day boat trip. We’re retirees aged 79 and 75, used to traveling, so I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for spending 4-5 days in this region.

Could you share some hotel addresses with private rooms and bathrooms, as well as tour agencies for Halong Bay that offer reasonable prices?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Jaquot, If you're not too pressed for time, spending 3 or 4 nights on Cat Ba Island lets you soak up the local vibe...

Have a great trip! Andre

thanks Ande69, I’ll keep that in mind!

If you're not too pressed for time, spending 3 or 4 nights on Cat Ba Island lets you soak up the local vibe...

It’s worth mentioning, though, that the small town of Cat Ba is currently undergoing massive construction work since the bay is being filled in to build new structures. What a waste! Barricades, noise, and dust—this isn’t where you’d want to spend 3 or 4 days, in my opinion. Still, it’s a good starting point for a cruise in Halong Bay (or Lan Ha Bay).

Got it. Thanks, but I’m looking for recommendations for decent hotels and honest local tourism agencies in HANOI and Ho Chi Minh City.

For Halong Bay, you can check out what https://catbaventures.com/ offers. This agency has excellent reviews.

For Halong Bay, you can check out what https://catbaventures.com/ offers. This agency has excellent reviews.

This is the agency that took us on a 3D/2N private junk boat trip in Lan Ha Bay. The service was really great, but since that was back in 2018, I couldn’t recommend them outright… Apparently, they’ve kept up their standards! 😊

In Hanoi, I stayed at Evelyn House, which is listed as Evelyn Indochine Chic on Booking.com. Great welcome, comfortable and well-equipped room (kitchen/fridge), and most importantly, very quiet. It’s a 5-minute walk from the lake. However, breakfast isn’t offered.

Thanks for the info

thanks for the info! I see you’ve visited the Taj Mahal like we did—gorgeous!

Hi there,

Just a heads-up—those 2-day cruises actually only last 24 hours... You board the boat at noon, and you're back at the port at noon the next day. And the boat doesn’t move much during those 24 hours—less than 2 hours of sailing... To make the most of the boat, we skipped an excursion to visit a cave the next morning. We had the boat all to ourselves—it was lovely! 🙂

Anyway, I think 3 days/2 nights would be better. But it’s still amazing even in 24 hours. Ahhh, the sunrise at 6 AM over the bay—what a memory! 🙂

Agencies arrange transfers from Hanoi. Count on 2 hours each way.

As for Hanoi, you could easily spend 2 days or a whole week there. This city has insane energy 😉. Take the time to wander the streets and let your feet guide you. For the "tourist" spots, I *highly* recommend Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Hello, Discovering Vietnam is a great idea, and I’m happy to help you plan your trip. A stay in Hanoi and Halong Bay is a wonderful choice for exploring the culture and landscapes of the North. Here are some tips and suggestions for a 4- to 5-day trip, allowing you to make the most of your stay based on your pace. To plan your trip, you can choose the option that suits you best from these discovery choices:

2 days and 1 night in Halong Bay

2 days and 1 night in Ninh Binh, or a day trip to Ninh Binh

By planning your trip this way, you’ll be sure to choose services that perfectly meet your needs. It’s an excellent choice, as you’ll have time to fully explore Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, two must-see destinations.

We wish you a fantastic, safe, and relaxing trip.

When a pro mixes apples and oranges. Actually, these are two different places you can visit—you don’t have to choose just one! If there were two options for the bay, it’d be either Halong or Lan Ha. Personally, I went with the second one—it’s quieter, with shallower waters, so the boats are smaller.

I second that reply—indeed, departure at 2 PM and return at 3 PM. That’s why the 2-night option is worth it, as it’ll extend the fun. Of course, everything comes at a cost.

If budget allows, go for a private junk boat. Unforgettable moment! !