My former clients at ONE°15 Marina would spend six figures on a weekend charter without blinking. Here in Ha Long Bay, you can get a genuinely commendable overnight cruise experience for less than a decent dinner in Sentosa. The value proposition is, frankly, extraordinary.
★★★★★ 4.92/5 (534 verified reviews)
Traveling from Hai Phong to Halong Bay takes about 1.5 hours by road.
Coming from Hai Phong? All routes to Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island, and Lan Ha Bay — by car, bus, and ferry.
Hai Phong To Halong Bay: Complete Guide
Overview
Hai Phong, Vietnam’s third-largest city and major port, is an excellent alternative gateway to Halong Bay. Located only 70 kilometers southwest of Ha Long City, the journey takes just 1.5-2 hours by road — significantly shorter than the 3.5-4 hour drive from Hanoi.
Hai Phong is particularly ideal for travelers heading to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay, as the main ferry routes depart from Hai Phong’s ports.
Route Options at a Glance
Route
Duration
Cost
Best For
Hai Phong → Ha Long City (road)
1.5-2 hours
$30-40/car
Halong Bay cruises
Hai Phong → Cat Ba Island (ferry)
45-60 min
$8-12/person
Lan Ha Bay cruises
Hai Phong → Got Pier (road)
1.5 hours
$30-40/car
Bai Tu Long Bay cruises
Cat Bi Airport → Ha Long City
2 hours
$40-50/car
Flying into Hai Phong
Route 1: Hai Phong → Ha Long City (By Road)
By Private Car
Duration: 1.5-2 hours via Hai Phong-Ha Long Expressway
Distance: ~70 km
Cost: 600,000-900,000 VND ($25-38) per car
Route: Hai Phong center → expressway → Ha Long City → Tuan Chau Marina
By Bus
Departure: Niem Nghia Bus Station (Hai Phong)
Arrival: Bai Chay Bus Station (Ha Long City)
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Cost: 80,000-100,000 VND ($3-4)
Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes, 6 AM – 6 PM
Then to Cruise Pier
From Ha Long City center to Tuan Chau Marina: taxi 15 minutes, 100,000-150,000 VND.
Route 2: Hai Phong → Cat Ba Island (Ferry) ⭐
This is the primary route for travelers heading to Lan Ha Bay or Cat Ba Island.
Speed vessel (Fastest)
Detail
Information
Departure
Got Pier (Hai Phong) or Ben Binh Port
Arrival
Cai Vieng Pier (Cat Ba)
Duration
45-60 minutes
Cost
200,000-250,000 VND ($8-10)
Schedule
7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM
Booking
At pier or via catbaexpress.com
Car Ferry (If Bringing Vehicle)
Detail
Information
Departure
Dinh Vu Port (Hai Phong)
Arrival
Cat Hai → Cat Ba (road)
Duration
30 min ferry + 30 min drive
Cost
30,000 VND/person + 200,000/motorbike or 500,000/car
Schedule
Every 1-2 hours, 6 AM – 7 PM
From Cat Ba → Lan Ha Bay Cruise
After arriving at Cat Ba Island:
Taxi/motorbike to Cat Ba Town: 15-20 minutes
Walk to Beo Pier: 5 minutes from town center
Board Lan Ha Bay day cruise: Cozy Bay, Jade Sails, Serenity, etc.
Route 3: Cat Bi Airport → Halong Bay
Hai Phong’s Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) receives domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other cities.
Detail
Information
Airport code
HPH
Airlines
VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways
To Ha Long City
2 hours by car ($40-50)
To Cat Ba Island
1 hour drive + 45 min ferry ($25-35 total)
To Got Pier
1.5 hours by car ($35-45)
Hai Phong as Stopover
Hai Phong deserves a few hours of exploration before heading to Halong Bay:
Top Things to Do in Hai Phong
Du Hang Pagoda — Ancient Buddhist temple (free, 30 minutes)
Hai Phong Opera House — French colonial architecture (photo stop)
Tam Bac Lake — Pleasant walking area in city center
Banh da cua — Hai Phong’s famous red noodle crab soup (must-try!)
Cat Bi Public Market — Local food and daily life
Where to Stay
Hotel
Stars
Price
Near
Avani Hai Phong
★★★★★
$70
City center
Manoir des Arts
★★★★
$50
Opera House
MADI Hotel
★★★
$25
Central
Practical Tips
Combine Hai Phong + Cat Ba + Lan Ha Bay for a unique itinerary that avoids Hanoi altogether
Book ferry tickets in advance during peak season (weekends, holidays)
Check weather — Ferries may be cancelled in rough seas (rare, mainly typhoon season)
Arrive 30 minutes early at ferry piers for smooth boarding
Try banh da cua at the pier while waiting — it’s Hai Phong’s signature dish!
FAQ
Is it faster to reach Halong Bay from Hai Phong or Hanoi?
Much faster from Hai Phong — only 1.5-2 hours vs 3.5-4 hours from Hanoi. If your flight arrives at Cat Bi Airport (HPH), go directly to Halong Bay.
Can I take a cruise from Hai Phong directly?
Some cruises offer Hai Phong pickup. The ferry-to-Cat Ba route also lets you board Lan Ha Bay day cruises from Beo Pier on Cat Ba Island.
Is the ferry to Cat Ba safe?
Yes. The speed boats are modern and operated by licensed companies. Life jackets are provided. The crossing takes 45-60 minutes through sheltered waters.