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.
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, 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 | 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 |
From Ha Long City center to Tuan Chau Marina: taxi 15 minutes, 100,000-150,000 VND.
This is the primary route for travelers heading to Lan Ha Bay or Cat Ba Island.
| 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 |
| 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 |
After arriving at Cat Ba Island:
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 deserves a few hours of exploration before heading to Halong Bay:
| Hotel | Stars | Price | Near |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avani Hai Phong | ★★★★★ | $70 | City center |
| Manoir des Arts | ★★★★ | $50 | Opera House |
| MADI Hotel | ★★★ | $25 | Central |
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.
Related: Cat Ba Island | Ambassador Cruise | Sung Sot Cave
Source: Official Vietnam Tourism
Fair winds.
— Marcus Chen
For more travel options, visit Halong Bay Cruise From Hanoi.
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