Halong Bay, a UNESCO-recognized world natural wonder, consistently remains a top choice among Vietnam's travel destinations. However, in recent times, there has been an increased buzz among international tourists about Lan Ha Bay. It is widely believed that Lan Ha Bay offers a superior experience compared to Halong Bay. So, which destination is more suitable for your trip? Let's explore the similarities and unique characteristics of each place. 

The Halong Bay complex consists of three major bays: Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay. Among them, Halong Bay is located in the center, Bai Tu Long Bay is situated in the northeast, and Lan Ha Bay is found to the southeast of the entire bay complex. Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay are bordering each other. That’s why they have some similarities.

The similarities between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

The scenic beauty

Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay are located in the same region of northern Vietnam. They share a similar geological formation. Featured by stunning limestone karsts and islands rising out of the emerald waters, Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay both offer breathtaking natural scenery, panoramic views, and mysterious caves. 

Water activities 

For those who love water activities, you can rest assured that both Bays bring exciting water experiences. You have the opportunity to explore stunning caves, where multicolored stalactites and cool water droplets fall from the ceiling. Besides, the waters are home to colorful coral reefs, fish, and diverse marine life, making them ideal for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

The popular activities when visiting these Bay are: 

• Kayaking
• Swimming and sunbathing
• Taking a cruise trip
• Visiting fishing Villages

While there are similarities between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay due to their closeness, each bay also has its unique characteristics and attractions that set them apart from each other.

The difference between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Location an accessibility

Tuan Chau International Tourist Wharf in Quang Ninh

Where are Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay? Which one is easier to get Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay? 

Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay can be found off the shores of Halong City in Quang Ninh Province. While Lan Ha Bay is located on the eastern side of Cat Ba Island, which is the second largest tourist archipelago in Vietnam and is situated in Hai Phong Province. 

In terms of accessibility, it is easy and convenient to get to both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Some people think that Halong Bay is generally easier to reach compared to Lan Ha Bay because Halong Bay has been a popular tourist destination for many years. Thus, it has well-established infrastructures for tourism. In fact, the travel time and distance are nearly the same. Around 140km from Hanoi Center, it takes you about 2.5h-3h on the freeway.

However, each Bay has different cruise ports from which you can embark on your journey.

For Halong Bay:

 Halong International Cruise Port in Quang Ninh

To visit Halong Bay, you have the option to depart from either Tuan Chau Marina or Halong International Cruise Port in Quang Ninh. If you choose to travel by plane, it will take a little over an hour from Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh to reach Halong.

For Lan Ha Bay:

Got Pier in Hai Phong

Lan Ha Bay is easily accessible through Got Pier in Hai Phong. It takes approximately 40 minutes from Cat Bi Airport to reach Got Pier. If you wish to visit Tuan Chau and need to fly into Hai Phong, it is just a one-hour drive from there.

Size and Number of Islands

Halong Bay has an area of approximately 1553 km2 with nearly 2000 islands of various sizes, including a core area of 335 km2 with 775 islands. Lan Ha Bay is characterized by its smaller size compared to Halong Bay, spanning an area of approximately 70 square kilometers. Despite its compact size, it boasts a picturesque collection of around 400 limestone islands, each displaying unique shapes and formations. 

Both bays are renowned for their natural beauty, Halong Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding universal value. Lan Ha Bay, on the other hand, became a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (MBBW) in 2020, highlighting its exceptional charm.

Tourism and Crowds

Ha Long Bay is famous and widely known throughout the world. It attracts a large number of tourists every day. Despite having invested in facilities and modern infrastructure dedicated to tourism, sometimes tourists have to wait for a considerable amount of time to complete boarding procedures, especially during holidays or festival seasons. Additionally, the constant operation of numerous boats creates a lively and bustling tourist atmosphere. Visitors need to follow fixed paths and explore tourist sites in organized groups. If you don't enjoy such hustle and bustle, you may find it uncomfortable. Sometimes, Ha Long Bay has faced complaints from customers regarding environmental pollution. However, as it is a crucial tourist destination, the management board closely monitors and takes timely actions to ensure visitors' experiences.

Lan Ha Bay, although gaining popularity, is still considered a more off-the-beaten-path destination and may require additional transportation arrangements, such as a boat transfer from Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island, to reach its main area. The environment here maintains its pristine and natural beauty. Many tourists find a sense of tranquility and have more space to relax. The travel experiences are typically more peaceful and less crowded, allowing for more personal and personal exploration. On the contrary, those who enjoy lively atmospheres, may feel a bit bored and prefer more activities.

You might read: Top 4 uncrowded places to visit in the North of Vietnam 2023

What attractions and experiences can be found in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay?

Beaches in Halong Bay vs. Lan Ha Bay 

Ba Trai Dao Beaches in Lan Ha Bay

The beaches in Lan Ha Bay are more untouched and private than Halong Bay’s ones. Ba Trai Dao and Van Boi Beach emerge as the two most stunning cave destinations in Lan Ha Bay. Besides, many other unnamed beaches on Lan Ha Bay feature white sand, and blue water and pristine cleanliness, which is ideal for swimming, kayaking or simply sunbathing without any disturbance and noise. On the contrary, Titov and Soi Sim are the 2 most famous sandy beaches on Halong Bay. They are more crowded beaches but absolutely worth visiting.

Caves in Halong Bay vs. Lan Ha Bay 

Caves might be the biggest difference between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. 

Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave) in Halong Bay

The caves in Hạ Long Bay, such as Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) and Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave), are more accessible and visited by a larger number of tourists. They are known for their majesty and large scale. Thien Cung Cave also boasts spacious chambers adorned with colorful lights. You can walk inside the cave to admire sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. 

The Dark-Bright Cave in Lan Ha Bay

In comparison, the caves in Lan Ha Bay are formed over millions of years but are generally in smaller sizes. Most of them exist underwater. It’s impossible to discover on foot. Tourists embark on a kayaking or sampan boat to explore these caves. It can be an amazing experience. Among the must-see caves in Lan Ha Bay, the Dark-Bright Cave stands out and became the main attraction for almost cruise tours. 

Cruise in Halong Bay vs. Lan Ha Bay

Both Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay offer day cruises and overnight cruise trips with a variety ranges of prices. You can join on a budget-friendly cruise tour or a luxury cruise with ease. 

Halong Bay offers a variety of cruise routes tailored to suit individual preferences. The typical duration of a Halong Bay day cruise is around 4-6 hours:

• Route 1 (4 hours): Tourist Port – Thien Cung – Dau Go – Dinh Huong – Ga Choi – Ba Hang.
• Route 2: (6 hours): Tourist Port  – Dinh Huong – Ga Choi – Sung Sot – Ti Top.
• Route 3 (8 hours): Tourist Port – Thien Cung – Dau Go – Sung Sot – Ti Top – Hang Luon.
• Route 4 (8 hours): Tourist Port – Sung Sot – Ti Top – Cua Van Fishing Village – Ba Trai Dao.
• Route 5 (10 hours): Tourist Port – Sung Sot – Ti Top – Bai Tu Long Bay.

See our best-day cruise in Halong: 

Halong Bay daily tour on Cozy Cruise with 6 hours Crusing

01 DAY EXPLORING THE BEAUTY OF HALONG BAY WITH CONG CRUISES

The Lan Ha Bay day cruise routes depart from Beo Pier, Got Pier, and the central tourist pier in Cat Ba.

• Route 1: Beo Pier - Ancient Fishing Village Cai Beo - Monkey Island - Beo Pier.
• Route 2: Beo Pier - Ancient Fishing Village Cai Beo - Monkey Island - Turtle Island - Viet Hai Harbor - Quai To - Ba Trai Dao - Dark Cave - Bright Cave - Beo Pier.
• Route 3: Got Pier - Gia Luan - Tra Bau - Ang Cong - Dark Cave - Bright Cave - Gia Luan - Got Pier.
• Route 4: Cat Ba central tourist pier - Cat Ong Island - Thien Ung Pagoda - Cat Ba central tourist pier.

Besides day cruises, Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay also offer overnight cruises. The overnight cruise offer more activities such as cooking classes, Tai Chi sessions, squid fishing, onboard spa treatments, and relaxing on the sun deck while enjoying the panoramic views. Only in Halong, You can try restaurant cruises - the night cruise including dinner and a live show, starts from 5 pm to 10 pm. 

See our best overnight cruise: 

Halong Bay overnight on 5 stars Athena Cruise

Lan Ha Bay overnight on 5 stars Cruise

You might read: Discover Halong Bay in a Day: A ultimate guide for A Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi