Day trips · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
4 best day trips from Ha Long Bay
Where to go when you want a day away from Ha Long Bay, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Schwede66, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Ha Long Bay is Yen Tu Mountain (About 1 hour by car). The closest option is Yen Tu Mountain, about 50 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 4
- Closest
- Yen Tu Mountain (50 km)
- Most popular
- Yen Tu Mountain
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yen Tu Mountain | 50 km | About 1 hour by car | Private car or taxi, then cable car or a long climb | Culture, Quiet stays, Solo travellers |
| Hai Phong | 60 km | About 1–1.5 hours by car | Car or bus via the expressway | Food lovers, Culture |
| Quan Lan Island | 55 km | About 1.5–2 hours by car and fast boat | Road to Van Don, then fast boat | Beach, Quiet stays, Couples |
| Co To Island | 100 km | About 2.5–3 hours by car and fast boat | Road to Van Don, then fast boat | Beach, Quiet stays, Solo travellers |
The day trips
50 km · About 1 hour by car
1.Yen Tu Mountain
The sacred mountain where King Tran Nhan Tong founded the Truc Lam school of Zen Buddhism in the 13th century has pagodas, stupas and forest paths climbing to the bronze Dong Pagoda near the 1,068-metre summit. Cable cars shorten the climb, but expect steep steps either way.
- Getting there
- Private car or taxi, then cable car or a long climb
- Best for
- Culture, Quiet stays, Solo travellers
60 km · About 1–1.5 hours by car
2.Hai Phong
Northern Vietnam's main port city has French colonial streets around the Opera House, a busy food scene known for bánh đa cua crab noodles, and is a jumping-off point for Cat Ba by ferry from Ben Got.
- Getting there
- Car or bus via the expressway
- Best for
- Food lovers, Culture
55 km · About 1.5–2 hours by car and fast boat
3.Quan Lan Island
A long, low island in Bai Tu Long Bay with wide sandy beaches such as Minh Chau, an old communal house and fishing villages. It is quiet outside summer weekends and works better with an overnight stay.
- Getting there
- Road to Van Don, then fast boat
- Best for
- Beach, Quiet stays, Couples
100 km · About 2.5–3 hours by car and fast boat
4.Co To Island
One of the furthest inhabited islands off Quang Ninh, with clear water, cliffs, a lighthouse and sandy beaches. Boat crossings depend on the sea, so most visitors stay one or two nights.
- Getting there
- Road to Van Don, then fast boat
- Best for
- Beach, Quiet stays, Solo travellers
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- Book limousine vans through your hotel the day before; they pick up from the Old Quarter.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Ha Long Bay?
Yen Tu Mountain. The sacred mountain where King Tran Nhan Tong founded the Truc Lam school of Zen Buddhism in the 13th century has pagodas, stupas and forest paths climbing to the bronze Dong Pagoda near the 1,068-metre summit.
+How long does it take to get from Ha Long Bay to Yen Tu Mountain?
About 1 hour by car — Private car or taxi, then cable car or a long climb, about 50 km.
+How long does it take to get from Ha Long Bay to Hai Phong?
About 1–1.5 hours by car — Car or bus via the expressway, about 60 km.