Ha Long Bay Cruise Guide: Lan Ha Bay Scenery, Transfers & Cave Excursions | Vietnam Purple Travel Guide
Today we are taking a 1-day tour to the Ha Long bay area.
Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay are three interconnected coastal regions in northeastern Vietnam, each famed for their dramatic limestone landscapes, emerald waters, and thousands of towering karst islets.
We had mentioned earlier in this Vietnam Purple Travel Guide that:
Ha Long Bay is so immensely popular that you will always be surrounded by lots of other tour boats, which can limit your experience. Less popular locations like Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are viable alternatives.
2-day tours are basically the same as 1-day tours, meaning they go to the same destinations, with the exception that you pay a lot extra for the privilege to see the sunset from the boat, stay on-board overnight, and are provided with meals.
Here is a typical Lan Ha Bay tour:
1 = Cruise Dock
2 = Anchoring place of your boat
3 = Bright and Dark Cave Sampan Tour
4 = Trung Trang Cave
Dotted red line = dinghy or bus ride
Solid red line = boat tourThere is a popular scam that several travel agencies engage in. We were victims of this scam once, and therefore strongly suggest to book with a reputable online agency like Viator or GetYourGuide, who can potentially help on short notice, or directly with the cruise lines:
Viator Ha Long Bay cruises
Viator Lan Ha Bay cruises
Viator Bai Tu Long Bay cruises
GetYourGuide Ha Long Bay cruises
GetYourGuide Lan Ha Bay cruises
GetYourGuide Ba Tu Long Bay cruises
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.
paid Viator tours
Hotel Transfers and Your Luggage
Cruises in Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay almost always include transportation from and to Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
For our cruise, it is important that you let the company that you booked with (travel agency or cruise line) know that you are coming from Hanoi and that you want to be brought to the Ninh Binh area after the cruise.
This is no problem, as the agencies/cruise lines use or charter buses from and to both cities. And they will also take care of your luggage during the time that you are enjoying your cruise.
Make sure to tell the travel agency/cruise line in which hotel in the Ninh Binh area you will be staying. This way, they can plan their route to drop you off at your hotel – otherwise they will drop you off at a bus station in Ninh Binh, and you will need to find your own transportation at the hotel.
Shared Geologic Origins: How Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay Were Formed
All three bays are part of the same karst limestone archipelago, and they formed through a process spanning hundreds of millions of years:
Geological History of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay
Limestone Foundation: The area was once submerged beneath a shallow tropical sea, where thick layers of marine limestone were deposited during the Carboniferous and Permian periods (about 340–250 million years ago).
Tectonic Uplift: Over millions of years, tectonic movements pushed the seabed upward, exposing the limestone to the surface.
Karst Erosion: Once above sea level, the limestone was weathered by rainwater and groundwater. This created the characteristic karst topography with sinkholes, caves, and sharp limestone pinnacles.
Sea Inundation: During the Holocene Epoch (around 10,000–8,000 years ago), rising sea levels flooded the karst landscape, leaving only the hilltops and ridges visible as islands in the water.
This rare combination of ancient geology and modern coastal flooding created the unique seascape seen today.
Ha Long Bay – The Iconic Jewel
Scenery
Over 1,600 limestone islands and islets, many rising like vertical pillars from calm green waters.
Islets vary in shape — some resemble animals (e.g., Fighting Cocks Island), others contain massive caves and internal lakes.
Water is typically emerald green and sheltered, creating ideal reflections of the cliffs.
Features
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave): One of the largest and most famous, with massive chambers and stalactites.
Ti Top Island: Offers panoramic views of the bay.
Floating fishing villages and pearl farms dot the inlets.
Character
The most touristed of the three bays.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, recognized for both natural beauty and geologic significance.
Lan Ha Bay – The Quieter, Southern Neighbor
Scenery
Contains over 300 limestone islands, with similar towering karst peaks, but smaller in scale and closer together.
Many islets have white-sand beaches and narrow, secluded lagoons.
Waters are even calmer, with more protected coves.
Features
Fewer tourists, but popular with kayakers, swimmers, and rock climbers.
Home to Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the region and a national park with rich biodiversity.
Character
Quieter and more off-the-beaten-path.
Known for a more intimate, close-up experience with nature.
Bai Tu Long Bay – The Untouched Northern Extension
Scenery
Geologically identical to Ha Long Bay, but less developed and less crowded.
Features longer stretches of open sea, larger islands, and denser forests.
Limestone karsts here are often more spread out, with grander vistas and fewer boats.
Features
Thien Canh Son Cave and Tra Gioi Beach are highlights.
Rich in local fishing culture, with small villages along the coast.
Some areas are under marine conservation, including Van Don Archipelago.
Character
Ideal if you seek solitude and authenticity.
Appeals to anyone interested in ecotourism and cultural exploration.
Summary Comparison of Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay
Feature |
Ha Long Bay |
Lan Ha Bay |
Bai Tu Long Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
Number of Islands |
~1,600 |
~300 |
~1,000 |
Scenery |
Towering pillars, caves |
Smaller cliffs, beaches, coves |
Open spaces, forested islands |
Tourism |
Most visited |
Less crowded |
Least visited |
Unique Traits |
UNESCO site, iconic |
Kayaking, Cat Ba |
Untouched, traditional villages |
Geologic Age |
250–340 mio years |
250–340 mio years |
250–340 mio years |
The scenery of the Ha Long Bay Area
Below is what you will see on your Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Cruise Terminal for Ha Long Bay Area Cruises
The waterfront is lined with many buildings that belong to different cruise companies. Inside the buildings you will find an air-conditioned space where you can check in to your cruise, buy souvenirs, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a small meal, you can sit down and relax while waiting for your dinghy to board.
Cruise Dock for Ha Long Bay Area Cruises
On the backside is a dock where many dinghies and supply boats are moored. You will be informed which dinghy to board.
Transfer to your Cruise Ship for Ha Long Bay Area Cruises
You will have gorgeous views right from the start of your dinghy transfer.
Your Cruise Ship for Ha Long Bay Area Cruises
The following photos are of a boat from Calypso Cruises that does 2 Day 1 Night Lan Ha Bay cruises.
Here are some photos that we took:
Scenery of a Lan Ha Bay Cruise
The scenery that you will see during a Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Dark and Bright Cave Excursion on a Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Here is what you will see on the Dark and Bright Cave excursion.
Trung Trang Grotto Excursion on a Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Here is what you will see when visiting Trung Trang Grotto with a bus transfer to and from the cave.
Where do you want to go now?
Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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