Budget · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
Ha Long Bay on a budget
What a trip to Ha Long Bay really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Schwede66, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ha Long Bay is affordable for most international visitors. Budget roughly $30–$55 per person per day on a tight budget, $100–$220 mid-range and $300–$900 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in January.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $30–$55 a day
- Mid-range
- $100–$220 a day
- Luxury
- $300–$900 a day
- Local currency
- VND
- Free sights
- 2
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30–$55 | $90–$165 | $150–$275 | $210–$385 |
| Mid-range | $100–$220 | $300–$660 | $500–$1,100 | $700–$1,540 |
| Luxury | $300–$900 | $900–$2,700 | $1,500–$4,500 | $2,100–$6,300 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Ha Long Bay, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Bowl of pho | about 40,000–60,000 VND |
| Iced coffee at a street café | about 20,000–35,000 VND |
| Local beer in a restaurant | about 20,000–40,000 VND |
| Squid cake main dish | about 150,000–300,000 VND |
| Limousine van, Hanoi to Ha Long | about 250,000–400,000 VND |
| Day cruise with lunch | about US$40–90 per person |
| Overnight cruise, mid-range | about US$120–250 per person |
| Lan Ha Bay kayak day trip from Cat Ba | about US$25–50 per person |
Money-saving tips
- Weekday departures and the months of November, December and March often have lower cruise prices than weekends and summer.
- Compare what is included: bay entrance fees, kayaking, drinks and Hanoi transfers vary between cruises of similar price.
- Base yourself on Cat Ba for cheaper guesthouses and day trips into Lan Ha Bay.
- Eat ashore in Hon Gai or Cat Ba Town, where seafood costs much less than on board or in Bai Chay's waterfront restaurants.
- Carry cash in Vietnamese dong for markets, small restaurants and boat rowers.
Free things to do
- Fighting Cocks Islet — Hon Trong Mai, two rocks facing each other like a rooster and hen, is the most photographed formation in the bay and was once used on Vietnamese banknotes and stamps.
- Bai Tho Mountain — The limestone hill above Hon Gai is named for a poem carved into its rock by King Le Thanh Tong in the 15th century.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and nightlife
Bai Chay
Resort strip of hotels, seafood restaurants and the main cruise port
$ · Best for budget, food lovers and culture
Hon Gai
The older working town across the bridge, with markets and Bai Tho Mountain
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers, beach and nightlife
Cat Ba Town
Harbour town on Cat Ba Island and gateway to Lan Ha Bay
Eating well for less
- Rice rolls with squid cake — Breakfast shops in Hon Gai and around Ha Long market from early morning.
- Grilled oysters — Seafood restaurants on the Cat Ba harbour front and in Bai Chay.
- Pho — Street-side pho shops in Hon Gai and Bai Chay in the early morning.
Getting around for less
The bay itself is seen by boat, either on an organised cruise or on day boats from Bai Chay, Tuan Chau or Cat Ba. On land, Ha Long city is spread out along the coast, so taxis and ride-hailing are the practical way between Bai Chay, Hon Gai and Tuan Chau.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Ha Long Bay cost?
About $500–$1,100 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $150–$275 on a tight budget.
+Is Ha Long Bay expensive?
It is affordable for international visitors. Weekday departures and the months of November, December and March often have lower cruise prices than weekends and summer.
+How much money do I need per day in Ha Long Bay?
Roughly $30–$55 on a budget and $100–$220 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Ha Long Bay?
Usually in January.