Ha Long Bay Cruise Port
Ha Long City, Vietnam · Asia
Cruise ships dock at Ha Long International Cruise Port, Ha Long City.
Plan my port daysPurpose-built cruise terminal in Bai Chay where ships berth alongside; the star is a day-cruise among the karst islands to caves like Sung Sot and Ti Top Island, while Sun World, the cable car and the museum are close to the pier.
At a glance
Port summary
Ha Long Bay is the reason to be here - a UNESCO seascape of around 1,600 limestone islands - and cruise ships berth alongside at the modern Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay, so no tender is needed. The bay itself can only be seen from the water, so the headline day is a licensed day-cruise out to Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island and the floating villages, which needs a boat from the tourist wharves and careful timing against all-aboard. Close to the terminal, Sun World, the Queen Cable Car, Bai Chay beach and the striking Quang Ninh Museum make an easy independent half-day; storms in the summer monsoon (roughly June-September) can cancel boat trips, so keep a buffer.
Cruise dock
🚢 Ha Long International Cruise Port
Vietnam's first purpose-built international cruise terminal, on Ha Long Road in Bai Chay. Ships berth alongside and passengers walk into the terminal; the Queen Cable Car and Sun World are a few minutes away.
📍 Latitude: 20.953643, Longitude: 107.055454
See dock on port map →Getting to Ha Long City
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
The terminal is in Bai Chay; the Queen Cable Car, beach and town are a 10-15 minute walk or short taxi, but the bay itself needs a boat.
📍 Walk out of the terminal into Bai Chay.
Metered taxis and Grab wait at the terminal; agree the meter or use Grab, which shows the fare. Handy for Sun World, the museum and the tourist wharf.
📍 Taxi rank outside Gate 1; order Grab by app.
Day-cruise junks and tour boats to the caves, Ti Top Island and floating villages leave from the tourist wharves; book a licensed boat and mind your return time.
📍 Tourist boat wharves at Tuan Chau and Bai Chay.
Private cars and small-group coaches handle longer trips like Yen Tu; pre-book, as public transport to the outlying sights is limited.
📍 Private cars and tour coaches meet arrivals at the terminal.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Carry Vietnamese dong in small notes for boats, taxis, caves and markets; cards work only at hotels, Sun World and larger restaurants.
Things to do
Vung Vieng Fishing Village
⭐ Highlight
A photogenic floating village in Bai Tu Long, visited by traditional rowing boat through calm karst waters.
🕐 Daylight; calm mornings are best
Cua Van Floating Village
⭐ Highlight
A traditional floating fishing community in the bay, with a small cultural centre and rowing-boat tours.
🕐 Daylight; gentler in the morning
Ti Top Island
🏖️ Beach
A small island with a crescent beach and a steep stairway to a panoramic viewpoint over the bay.
🕐 Morning for the climb, before the heat
Bai Chay Beach
Short stop🏖️ Beach
A long man-made sandy beach along the Bai Chay seafront, an easy stroll or swim near the terminal.
🕐 Daytime; warm from spring to autumn
Ha Long Night Market
Short stop🛒 Market
A bustling Bai Chay market of souvenirs, pearls, snacks and seafood, liveliest in the evening.
🕐 Late afternoon into the evening
Sun World Ha Long and Queen Cable Car
🎯 Activity
A hilltop amusement park reached by the record-breaking Queen Cable Car, with a giant Ferris wheel and bay views.
🕐 Late afternoon for sunset views
Quang Ninh Museum
Short stop🏛️ Museum
A striking black-glass museum on the waterfront covering Ha Long's nature, mining heritage and local culture.
🕐 Daytime; closed some Mondays
Luon Cave and Lagoon
🌿 Nature
A low limestone arch you pass through by sampan or kayak into a still, cliff-ringed lagoon.
🕐 Daylight; calm water is best
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)
🌿 Nature
Ha Long's largest and most spectacular cave, a vast series of floodlit chambers on Bo Hon Island.
🕐 Morning, before the tour boats mass
Thien Canh Son Cave
🌿 Nature
A small, uncrowded cave of stalactites in Bai Tu Long Bay, a highlight of the quieter cruise routes.
🕐 Daylight; on a Bai Tu Long cruise
Yen Tu Mountain and Dong Pagoda
🌿 Nature
Vietnam's cradle of Zen Buddhism, a mountain of ancient pagodas topped by the bronze Dong Pagoda and reached by cable car.
🕐 Dry season; clear mornings
Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
sport
Paddle a kayak among the karst towers and hidden lagoons - the most active way to see the bay up close.
🕐 Calm, dry conditions; avoid storms
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Plan my port days →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Ha Long City?
- Your ship docks directly at the Ha Long City cruise terminal in Vietnam.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Ha Long City?
- Yes. Ha Long City is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Ha Long City centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Ferry, Shuttle bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Ha Long City?
- Plan for at least 5 hours ashore to see Ha Long City independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Ha Long City and are cards accepted?
- Ha Long City uses the Vietnamese Dong. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Ha Long City cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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